How Do I Stop My Dog Chewing on Furniture and Belongings?

How Do I Stop My Dog Chewing on Furniture and Belongings?

Puppies and dog chewing on furniture and other things around the house can have various reasons. This can be due to natural behavior, boredom, teething, anxiety, and even underlying medical issues. 

While it can be troublesome to have your things getting chewed on, it is important that you first try to understand the possible reasons why your dog is behaving this way. To identify the cause of the dog chewing behavior, there are several factors that need to be considered:

Teething

During the teething phase, puppies between three and six months old will often chew on furniture and belongings to alleviate discomfort. Your puppy may have increased their chewing since it helps relieve the itchy or sore sensations in their gums.

Boredom or Lack of Exercise

Dogs require daily mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom. When dogs are not provided with enough playtime, exercise, or mental activities, they may resort to chewing to alleviate their boredom and find something to do. 

Separation Anxiety

Dogs love being with their humans, but some experience separation anxiety. When this happens, they may resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing on things and furniture when left alone. Chewing provides them with an outlet for their anxiety and helps to soothe their nerves until you are back with them. 

Lack of Proper Training

Puppies who grow up to become adult dogs and have not received proper training may not understand which items they may or may not chew on. Without proper training and guidance, they may chew on furniture and belongings simply because they do not know that they’re not supposed to. 

Dental Issues

Dogs with dental problems like tooth decay or gum disease may chew on objects to alleviate pain or discomfort in their mouths. This is normal behavior since dogs cannot communicate with you that they’re feeling discomfort. Regular dental check-ups are crucial to ensure your dog’s oral health.

Take note that you should closely observe your dog’s chewing behavior and mention these to your veterinarian so they can provide a more accurate assessment, especially if this can be medically related. In addition, it will also be helpful to consult with a professional dog trainer so they can give you a professional assessment of the most probable reason why your dog keeps on chewing.

How Do I Stop My Dog Chewing Everything?

When your dog is chewing on furniture and belongings, shouting and scaring them won’t help. On the contrary, this might make them even more anxious, leading to your dog looking for more things to chew on to alleviate their anxiety. 

It is important to practice patience and positive reinforcement to redirect the dog chewing behavior towards appropriate objects like chew toys. Here are a few more tips that you can apply to stop dog chewing: 

Choose suitable chew toys

One of the best ways to stop dog chewing is to divert their attention to other things like chew toys. Aside from damaging your furniture and belongings, your pup may be exposed to danger when chewing on these since these may have toxic substances or sharp materials that can harm your furry friend. 

Select a variety of chew toys that are safe, sturdy, and specially made for chewing. Take note of your dog’s chewing strength since older or bigger dogs may easily tear and destroy smaller, softer toys. You should choose a chew toy that is age and size-appropriate for your dog so it can last longer. 

When introducing chew toys, place them in an area that is visible and easily accessible to your pup. Encourage your dog to explore the toys by using positive reinforcement and by giving praise and treats whenever they play with their toys instead of your belongings.  You should also offer your pup a variety of chew toys so they won’t get bored with a single one and will look for other things around the house to chew on. Rotate your pup’s toys regularly to keep your dog engaged and interested. 

Increase toy engagement

To further encourage your dog to choose his chew toys over furniture or belongings, enhance the appeal of the toys. Consider stuffing them with treats or using interactive toys that dispense food, which can significantly increase your dog’s engagement and mental stimulation. 

By adding these elements, you not only make the toys more enticing but also provide an additional reward incentive for your dog to choose them over inappropriate items. This heightened level of engagement redirects their chewing behavior and enriches their overall play experience and mental stimulation. 

Read: When Can a Puppy Start Using Chew Toys? 

Prevent access to furniture and belongings

As soon as you notice your dog chewing behavior, you can limit its access to areas where it tends to chew on your furniture and belongings. You can start by simply closing the doors to areas they often go to or using baby gates to restrict their access to these places. This is a crucial step to inhibit your dog’s unwanted chewing behavior while also helping to redirect its attention to chewing on his toys instead. 

Catch and redirect behavior

During the first few days or weeks after observing your dog’s chewing behavior, closely supervise your pup and remain vigilant for any signs that it may be approaching furniture or your belongings. 

When you catch them chewing, tell them “No” or “Stop” in a firm but calm manner to interrupt the behavior. Immediately redirect your pup’s focus toward his chew toy instead. Once he shows interest in the toy, follow this with positive reinforcement through praise or by giving a treat. 

Use Bitter Spray

Another way to deter your pup from chewing on furniture is to apply a pet-safe bitter spray. These sprays are designed to have a bitter and unpleasant taste that can greatly discourage dogs from chewing on them. 

Choose the right pet spray that is non-toxic and safe for pets so your pup won’t get any adverse reactions if it ever tries to lick sprayed surfaces. Clean the surface first to make the bitter spray more effective. 

Have Proper Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Dogs who are bored, have excess energy or are not mentally stimulated often chew on things around the house to ease their boredom. Make sure your dog receives adequate physical exercise, like walking and outdoor play, at least a few times a week so it can use its energy productively. 

You can also provide mental stimulation through playtime, training sessions, or by simply giving them puzzle toys and lick mats. A tired and mentally engaged dog is less likely to resort to destructive chewing out of boredom.

Teach Leave It and Drop It Commands 

Training your dog to respond to the “leave it” and “drop it” commands can effectively control its behavior and redirect it away from inappropriate chewing. Start by teaching these commands through positive reinforcement, using treats and praise to reward your dog when it obeys. 

Consistent training will help your dog understand what is expected, making managing its chewing habits easier and guiding it toward more appropriate behaviors. Dogs that are having difficulty following commands can enroll in obedience training at Happy Pup Manor. Expert dog trainers will create a tailored training program for your dog so you can be confident that it will curb its chewing behavior. 

Consistency is the key

Consistency is key when addressing your dog’s chewing behavior. Repeat the redirection process when you catch your dog attempting to chew on furniture or belongings. You reinforce the desired behavior by consistently redirecting their attention to appropriate chew toys and rewarding them for engaging with these toys. 

Over time, your dog will learn that chewing on toys is a more rewarding and acceptable behavior than chewing on inappropriate items. This gradual reinforcement helps shape their habits and encourages them to make better choices when it comes to dog chewing.

Reinforce good behavior and adjust 

Consistent positive reinforcement is crucial for reinforcing the desired behavior of chewing on toys. Whenever you observe your dog voluntarily chewing on their toys, offer praise, petting, and occasional treats to encourage their good behavior. This consistency strengthens the association between appropriate chewing and positive outcomes, encouraging your dog to continue this behavior. 

Consult a Professional

Continuously monitor your dog’s progress and adapt your approach as necessary. If you notice any regression in behavior or if your dog is not responding well to positive reinforcement, consider seeking guidance from a professional trainer or behaviorist to address any underlying issues effectively. Most of the time, pups who go back to chewing on furniture may have underlying issues that need to be addressed, so it would be best for you to seek professional help. 

What are the Best Chew Toys for Pups of Different Ages? 

To recommend a variety of appropriate chew toys for dogs of different ages and sizes, I will consider the specific needs and preferences of dogs at various life stages. Here are my recommendations:

Puppies (0-6 months)

• Soft rubber toys: Puppies have delicate teeth and gums, so soft rubber toys are great chew toys to keep them busy without damaging them. Examples include Kong Puppy Goodie Bone and Nylabone Puppy Teething Rings.
• Plush toys: Puppies enjoy snuggling and chewing on plush toys for comfort. Look for ones specifically designed for puppies, such as Kong Cozie Plush Dog Toy or ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz.
• Rope toys: For dog chewing and tugging fun, rope toys cater to these instincts. Opt for smaller rope toys like Otterly Puppy Pet Rope or a Katzco Nylon Rope Toy.

Adolescent Dogs (6-12 months)

• Durable rubber toys: As dogs grow and their jaw strength increases, they require more robust, durable, and long-lasting toys. Consider the Kong Classic or Nylabone Power Chew Ring for its durability and ability to withstand stronger dog chewing.
• Interactive toys: Adolescents benefit from mental stimulation and daily brain activities. Puzzle toys like Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick or Kong Wobbler can keep them engaged and entertained.
• Dental chew toys: Look for dental chews like Nylabone Advanced Oral Care or Greenies Dental Chews, which promote oral health while satisfying chewing needs.

Adult Dogs (1-7 years

• Hard rubber toys: Adult dogs can handle tougher toys, so options like Kong Extreme or West Paw Zogoflex Hurley are suitable choices. These toys are long-lasting and can endure heavy chewing.
• Squeaky toys: Many adult dogs enjoy the squeaking sound as they chew. Consider durable squeaky toys like the HGB Squeaky Interactive Dog Toys for added entertainment.
• Natural chews: Offering natural chews like bully sticks, antlers, or rawhide bones can give dogs a variety of textures to chew on and help satisfy their natural instincts.

Senior Dogs (7+ years

• Gentle chew toys: Older dogs may have dental sensitivities, so softer chew toys like Benebone Dental Chew or multipurpose toys like Kong Senior can be helpful.

To effectively stop dogs from chewing on furniture and other things around the house, you need to be patient and consistent. You cannot expect your dog to be able to follow you right away, so it may take a few weeks before the behavior stops. 

If you have a busy schedule and won’t have the time to teach your pup obedience training, consider dog training and boarding. Happy Pup Manor has different training programs for every pup. We carefully consider their behavior, character, and personalities so they can be provided with the best training.