Effective Strategies To Prevent Your Dog From Chewing Everything In Sight 9

Dogs chew. It’s natural. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and adult dogs may chew out of boredom, anxiety, or habit. But when your shoes, furniture, remote controls, and baseboards become targets, the behavior crosses the line from normal to destructive. The good news: with consistency, understanding, and the right approach, you can redirect your dog’s chewing instincts toward appropriate outlets. This guide outlines nine proven strategies that go beyond quick fixes—focusing on prevention, training, and long-term behavioral change.

Understand Why Your Dog Chews

Before addressing the behavior, it's essential to understand its root causes. Chewing serves multiple purposes depending on your dog’s age, breed, and environment:

• Puppies (3–6 months): Teething discomfort drives them to chew to relieve gum pain.
• Boredom: Dogs without sufficient mental or physical stimulation often resort to chewing as a way to self-entertain.
• Anxiety: Separation anxiety or environmental stress can trigger destructive chewing, especially when left alone.
• Lack of Training: Some dogs simply haven’t been taught what is acceptable to chew.
• Breed Tendencies: High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Labradors, and Terriers have strong oral fixation and require more structured outlets.

Addressing the underlying cause is critical. A puppy teething needs different support than an adult dog suffering from separation anxiety.

Tip: Rotate chew toys weekly to maintain novelty and keep your dog engaged.

Provide Appropriate Chew Alternatives

The most effective way to redirect chewing is to offer better options. Dogs don’t inherently know the difference between a shoe and a chew toy unless taught. Stock a variety of safe, durable chew items based on your dog’s size and chewing strength.

Recommended chew types include:

• Rubber toys (e.g., Kong, West Paw)
• Natural chews like bully sticks or antlers (supervised use only)
• Frozen wet washcloths (ideal for teething puppies)
• Treat-dispensing toys filled with peanut butter or yogurt (frozen for longer engagement)

Place these items in accessible areas where your dog spends time. When you catch them chewing something inappropriate, calmly exchange it for an approved chew toy. Over time, this builds positive associations.

Use Management and Environmental Control

You can’t train a dog effectively if they’re constantly practicing the wrong behavior. Management means setting up your home to minimize opportunities for destructive chewing while training takes hold.

“Prevention is the first step in behavior modification. If the dog keeps rehearsing the unwanted behavior, learning won’t happen.” — Dr. Karen Overall, Veterinary Behaviorist

Consider these management tactics:

• Use baby gates to restrict access to high-risk rooms.
• Store shoes, cords, and laundry in closed closets or behind closed doors.
• Use bitter-tasting sprays (like Grannick’s Bitter Apple) on off-limit items—these are safe but unpleasant to taste.
• Crate train your dog for safe confinement when unsupervised.

Do	Don’t
Rotate chew toys regularly to maintain interest	Leave valuable or dangerous items within reach
Supervise closely during early training phases	Punish after the fact—dogs can’t connect punishment to past actions
Use crates or exercise pens for safety	Rely solely on verbal corrections without redirection
Offer frozen treats for teething pups	Give old shoes as “chew toys”—this confuses boundaries

Build a Daily Routine That Reduces Destructive Chewing

Dogs thrive on predictability. A consistent routine reduces anxiety and provides structure that naturally curbs unwanted behaviors. Incorporate the following into your daily schedule:

1. Morning walk or play session (30+ minutes): Physical exercise tires muscles and reduces excess energy.
2. Mental stimulation (15–20 minutes): Use puzzle feeders, scent games, or obedience drills.
3. Chew time after meals: Offer a chew toy post-meal to encourage relaxation and digestion.
4. Calm-down period: Encourage quiet time in a designated area with a chew toy.
5. Evening reinforcement training (5–10 minutes): Practice “leave it” and “drop it” commands.

Tip: Hide kibble around the house for a 5-minute “sniff hunt” before dinner—it engages the brain and reduces restlessness.

Train Key Commands to Prevent Chewing

Teaching specific commands gives you real-time tools to intervene before damage occurs. Two essential commands are:

• Leave it: Teaches your dog to disengage from tempting objects.
• Drop it: Ensures your dog releases an item on cue, which is crucial if they pick up something dangerous.

To teach “leave it”:

1. Hold a treat in a closed fist and present it to your dog.
2. When they sniff or paw, wait silently.
3. As soon as they back away, say “leave it” and reward with a different treat from your other hand.
4. Repeat until they immediately back off when you say the cue.
5. Progress to placing the treat on the floor and covering it with your hand.

Practice daily in low-distraction environments before using it with real-world temptations.

Mini Case Study: Max the Labrador

Max, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever, was destroying his owner’s sneakers and chewing door frames whenever left alone. His owner initially tried yelling and spraying him with water, but the behavior worsened. After consulting a trainer, they implemented a three-part plan:

• Installed a baby gate to block access to the entryway.
• Started a daily routine including a 45-minute morning walk and a food puzzle at breakfast.
• Introduced a stuffed Kong as a “safe chew” during alone time.

Within three weeks, Max stopped chewing furniture. By week six, he would go to his mat and pick up his Kong when his owner prepared to leave. The key wasn’t punishment—it was replacing the behavior with better alternatives and reducing anxiety through structure.

FAQ

How long does it take to stop a dog from chewing everything?

With consistent effort, most dogs show improvement within 2–4 weeks. However, complete behavior change can take several months, especially if anxiety or deep-seated habits are involved. Patience and daily reinforcement are essential.

Are antlers or rawhide safe for dogs to chew?

Antlers are very hard and suitable for aggressive chewers, but always supervise use and discard splintered pieces. Rawhide poses choking and digestive risks and is best avoided. Safer alternatives include rubber toys or digestible chews made from single-ingredient proteins.

My dog only chews when I’m not home. What can I do?

This is often a sign of separation anxiety. Start by videotaping your dog when you leave to assess behavior. Consider gradual desensitization to departure cues (like picking up keys), and consult a certified animal behaviorist if needed. Never punish after returning—it increases anxiety.

Checklist: 9 Effective Strategies to Prevent Destructive Chewing

1. Identify the cause: teething, boredom, anxiety, or lack of training.
2. Provide a variety of durable, safe chew toys tailored to your dog’s size and chewing style.
3. Remove or secure off-limit items (shoes, cords, etc.).
4. Use bitter sprays on furniture legs or other tempting surfaces.
5. Implement crate training or use exercise pens for safe confinement.
6. Establish a predictable daily routine with exercise and mental stimulation.
7. Train and reinforce the “leave it” and “drop it” commands.
8. Rotate chew toys weekly to maintain interest.
9. Address separation anxiety with professional help if needed.

Conclusion

Stopping your dog from chewing everything in sight isn’t about eliminating a natural behavior—it’s about guiding it appropriately. With patience, consistency, and a clear strategy, you can transform destructive chewing into constructive play. The goal isn’t a perfectly behaved dog overnight, but a well-understood companion who knows where to direct their energy. Start today by removing temptations, offering better alternatives, and building a routine that meets your dog’s physical and emotional needs. Small steps lead to lasting change.

💬 Have a success story or a tough chewing challenge? Share your experience below—your insight could help another dog owner find a solution.