How to Stop Destructive Chewing (Save Your Furniture!)

 You just bought a brand-new puppy or adopted a rescue dog. Then, the destruction starts. Chewed furniture. Destroyed shoes. Ripped carpets. Destructive chewing is more than just annoying. It costs you money. It can hurt your dog.

Your dog is not doing this to be spiteful. Chewing is a natural, necessary behavior. They chew because they are bored, anxious, or teething. We are not going to stop the chewing. We are going to teach them what to chew. This is a three-part plan to save your home.

The first step is essential. We must prevent access to the wrong items. Prevention is the fastest way to stop bad habits.

1. Restrict Access: If you cannot supervise your dog, they do not get free roam. Use a crate, a playpen, or a baby gate. Confine them to a puppy-proofed area. This is the safe zone.

2. Remove Temptations: If you love a certain item, put it away. Shoes, remotes, glasses, and phone chargers must be out of sight and out of reach. If your dog can’t access your couch, they can’t chew it. Set your dog up for success.

3. The Toy Abundance Rule: Your dog should never have to search for a chew toy. Scatter approved chew toys everywhere. They should be within easy reach at all times.

4. Tethering: If you are watching TV, tether your dog to your chair with a short leash. They are with you. They cannot wander off and find trouble. If you can't see them, they are in the crate.

Pro-Tip: Rotate your toys. Keep only a few toys out at a time. Put the rest away. Bring the "old" toys back out every few days. They feel new and exciting again. This keeps your dog interested in the right things.

Chewing satisfies different needs. You must provide a variety of items to satisfy all of them.

1. Durable Toys: Invest in high-quality, durable chew toys. Use hard nylon bones for intense chewing. Use rubber toys, like a KONG, for active, destructive chewing.

2. Edible Chews: Offer natural chews. Things like bully sticks or Himalayan chews. These should be supervised. They satisfy the dog's instinct to consume.

3. The Boredom Buster: Stuff rubber toys with frozen peanut butter or plain yogurt. These toys take 20 to 30 minutes to empty. They are an amazing mental workout. Use them when you leave the room or when your dog settles down.

4. The Redirect: If you catch your dog chewing something wrong, do not yell. Do not chase them. Silently say "No!" or "Leave it!" Then, immediately exchange the bad item for an amazing, appropriate chew toy. As soon as they chew the right item, praise them heavily. You are teaching them to make a better choice.

Chewing is often a symptom of two underlying issues: too much energy or anxiety. We fix the root cause.

1. Focus on Mental Work: Physical exercise is good, but mental exercise is better for chewing issues. Use puzzle feeders. Make them search for their kibble. Five minutes of brain games is more tiring than 20 minutes of running. A tired brain has no energy to chew the sofa.

2. Teething Relief: If you have a puppy under six months, they are teething. Their gums hurt! Provide frozen relief. Use a frozen KONG. Freeze a wet washcloth. This helps soothe the pain. It directs their urge onto the proper object.

3. Crate Anxiety: Is the chewing happening only when you leave? This is separation anxiety. Your dog is panicking. They chew to relieve stress. Use the stuffed KONG when you leave. Practice short absences. This teaches them that your departure is boring and predictable. Never make a big fuss when leaving or returning.

Sometimes, you need a strong deterrent. This is for items you cannot remove.

1. Use Bitter Spray: Purchase an anti-chew bitter spray. These products taste awful to dogs but are non-toxic.

2. Apply to Problem Areas: Spray furniture legs, baseboards, and anything else you can't move. You must reapply frequently.

3. The Key: This spray only works if you provide an acceptable alternative at the same time. The dog tries the chair (yuck!), then they try their toy (awesome!).

Stopping destructive chewing requires management, redirection, and consistency. It takes time, but your furniture is worth saving! Be patient. Be persistent.

To get the full roadmap for a calm, well-behaved dog, you need my complete guide!

Download my Free PDF Guide, "Dog Training 101: The Ultimate New Owner Checklist." It includes our detailed Hourly Feeding and Potty Schedule and troubleshooting for all your puppy's biggest problems.

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