Most puppy owners are worried about how to stop their puppies from chewing their bags, shoes and furniture. And learning how to stop puppy chewing and preventing the chewing does become challenging at times. A puppy chewing is a normal part of their development and should not be a cause to punish the puppy.
Puppies are curious by nature and chewing is a way to explore their world and make sense of their environment. Chewing does also become a way to self-smooth in time of discomfort especially with teething.
Therefore, with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can protect your home while helping your puppy develop healthy chewing habits that last into adulthood.
Why Do Puppies Chew?
Chewing is a natural behavior of puppies as it helps the puppy understand their environment as well as becoming a way to self-smooth at times. A major reason while puppies will chew on furniture and shoes is due to teething. As the puppy teeth grows, chewing helps relieve sore gums and provides comfort. This is why many puppies will actively look for objects and things with different textures as they release the itchiness.
Puppies will also chew as a form of entertainment. When a puppy gets bored and have no option of toys or change of environment they will chew as a way of play. However, anxiety, stress or fear could cause a puppy to chew. A puppy that is experiencing loneliness, overstimulated, or is adjusting to a new home may chew as a way to express emotions.
Therefore, understanding why your puppy is chewing is the first step toward solving the problem. Instead of punishing the behaviour, focus on meeting your puppy’s physical and mental needs while teaching them what is appropriate to chew.
How to Stop Puppy Chewing
Learning how to stop puppy chewing isn’t about punishment. Instead, it’s about teaching your puppy what they can chew. Follow my puppy handbook advice below to start introducing appropriate chewing habits.
Provide Plenty of Appropriate Chew Toys
Your puppy needs to have varieties of toys. When the puppy has plenty of chew toys with different textures, they are most likely to chew on those. Rotate the toys often to keep your puppy interest high. Whenever, you see your puppy chewing one of their own toys, give praises and treats. You puppy may begin to understand chewing their own toys are preferred.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
It is good to limit access to furniture by preventing your puppy through puppy proofing your home. Keep shoes, electrical cords, children’s toys, remote controls, and other valuable items out of your puppy’s reach. Managing your puppy’s environment makes success much easier while they learn appropriate habits.
Redirect Instead of Punishing
Remember your puppy cannot understand the damages of chewing. Whenever, you see your puppy chewing furniture or shoes, calmy remove the puppy and offer their chew toys.
If your puppy returns to chew the furniture, gently remove the puppy again and give them their chew toys or go outside. Always, redirect the puppy and change their environment.
Give Your Puppy Enough Exercise
Your puppy might need to burn off some energy and would begin to chew as a way of expression. Therefore, have routine daily walks, outdoor play sessions such as a game of fetch and short training exercises.
Be Patient and Consistent
Do not give up on teaching your puppy good chewing habits. As chewing is a natural part of a puppy they might reduce chewing on household items as they mature. How to stop puppy chewing must be done with care and love.
Common Mistakes When Stopping Puppy Chewing
When stopping puppy chewing it is vital to understand it would not occur overnight. Just like toilet and crate training, it will take your puppy sometimes to understand. With time and consistency your puppy will reduce or stop chewing on furniture.
Using Punishment
Punishing your puppy for chewing a furniture will not prevent future chewing. Remember, chewing is part of your puppy nature. Any form of punishment is animal cruelty and unacceptable.
Leaving Valuable Items Within Reach
Curiosity is a natural part of a nature. If valuable are left within a puppy’s reach, they are most likely to chew on them. Managing your puppy’s environment is one of the easiest ways to prevent unwanted chewing.
Not Providing Enough Mental Stimulation
A bored puppy will often create their own entertainment. Daily walks, short training sessions, food puzzle, change of environment, toys, and interactive play all help keep your puppy mentally engaged and less likely to chew household items.
Giving Mixed Messages
Be consistent with your puppy’s routine. You cannot pick and choose what to done if you puppy chew on some furniture. The puppy should get the same redirection if they chew on old or new belongings.
Life Example:
Imagine your puppy starts chewing the corner of a coffee table. Instead of scolding them, calmly redirect them to a durable chew toy. As soon as they begin chewing the toy, praise them warmly and offer a small treat.
After repeating this process consistently, your puppy learns that chewing their own toys leads to rewards, while furniture does not. Over time, this simple habit helps build lasting behavior without fear or punishment.
Frequently Ask Questions
Why is my puppy chewing everything?
Chewing is how puppy make sense of their environments. And as well as seeking comfort. Once you see your puppy chewing, it should be redirected toward safe, appropriate chew toys.
At what age do puppies stop chewing?
At around six to eight months or once their adult tooth is out. However, some dogs continue chewing into adulthood if they are bored, anxious, or don’t have appropriate chew toys.
Should I punish my puppy for chewing?
Punishing your puppy is a form of animal cruelty and a puppy should never be subjected to such. Punishment may also frighten your puppy and damage your relationship and trust. Always calmly redirect the puppy to an appropriate chew toy and reward them when they make the right choice to chew on their toys.
What are the best toys for a puppy that loves chewing?
Choose durable chew toys designed specifically for puppies. Rubber toys, puppy teething toys, and food-dispensing puzzle toys can help satisfy your puppy’s natural urge to chew while keeping them mentally stimulated.
Quick Action Plan
If your puppy keeps chewing everything in sight, start with these simple steps:
- Remove valuable items from your puppy’s reach
- Provide several safe chew toys with different textures
- Redirect chewing immediately to an appropriate toy
- Reward your puppy whenever they make the right choice
- Give your puppy daily exercise and mental stimulation
- Stay patient and consistent while your puppy learns
Key Things to Remember
- Puppy chewing is a normal part of growing and teething
- Managing your puppy’s environment helps prevent unwanted chewing
- Redirect chewing instead of using punishment
- Offer plenty of safe chew toys and daily enrichment
- Consistency and positive reinforcement produce the best long-term results
Final Thoughts
Learning how to stop puppy chewing does require lots of time and patience. Whenever, you redirect your puppy to use their chewing toys, the puppy is learning a new habit. It is vital to remember that the puppy isn’t been bad. They are learning about their world in the only way they know. Having a good routine, clear guidance, positive reinforcement, and lots of chew toys, your puppy will gradually learn what belongs to them and what does not. Small, consistent training sessions every day will always be more effective than having your puppy learn everything in a day.
Related Articles
- How to Puppy-Proof Your Home
- Best Puppy Toys
- How to Crate Train a Puppy
- How to Socialize a Puppy