How to Stop Puppy Chewing: Avoid Developing Destructive Behaviors
Puppy chewing can lead to destructive habits if left unchecked! Learn how to teach your pup to chew on appropriate toys instead of your walls, furniture, shoes, or other items!
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Puppies are adorable bundles of energy, but along with their playful nature comes a common behavior: chewing. Puppy chewing is a natural part of their development, but if left unchecked, it can lead to destructive habits and frustration for both the pup and their owner.
In this post, you’ll learn how to redirect puppy chewing and encourage positive behaviors to prevent destructive habits later on.
Why Puppies Chew
It’s important to know that puppies don’t chew things up because they dislike you or are trying to make you mad. Puppies chew for the following reasons:
Teething discomfort:
Like human babies, puppies experience discomfort during the teething process as their baby teeth are replaced by adult teeth. Chewing helps alleviate the pain and soreness associated with teething, making it a natural coping mechanism for puppies.
Exploration and curiosity:
Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them, much like how human infants use their hands. Chewing allows puppies to investigate different textures, tastes, and objects in their environment, satisfying their natural curiosity.
Boredom and excess energy:
Puppies have boundless energy and require mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy. When bored or restless, puppies may turn to chewing as a form of entertainment and stimulation. Providing appropriate outlets for play and exercise can help prevent excessive chewing due to boredom.
Developed bad habits:
If a dog is left to chew whatever they want, chances are they’ll learn to enjoy chewing things we may not want them to chew. Once these preferences are developed, it can be difficult to train them out of it.
Redirecting Chewing Behavior
It’s essential to intervene early to discourage puppies from developing destructive chewing habits.
Chewing on inappropriate objects such as furniture, shoes, or walls can lead to costly damage and safety hazards for both the puppy and the household. You’ll need to puppy proof your home and potentially close off areas of the house during this phase. If you catch your pup chewing on something you don’t want them to chew on, simply redirect them to an appropriate chew toy.
By redirecting chewing behavior to appropriate toys, you can prevent these destructive habits from forming and create a safer environment for your puppy to explore.
Setting Your Pup Up For Success
It’s important to set your pup up for success during the chewing stage in order to develop good habits. Here are things you should do to set your puppy up for success:
Provide a variety of chew toys:
Offer your puppy a selection of chew toys in different shapes, sizes, and textures to cater to their preferences and needs. Experiment with different materials such as rubber, nylon, and natural fibers to find what appeals most to your puppy. Having a variety of toys available can prevent boredom and encourage your puppy to engage in appropriate chewing behavior.
Positive reinforcement:
When your puppy chews on appropriate toys, provide praise, treats, or other rewards to reinforce the behavior. Positive reinforcement helps your puppy associate chewing on toys with pleasurable outcomes, making them more likely to repeat the behavior in the future. Be consistent with praise and rewards to encourage ongoing good behavior.
Supervision and intervention:
Keep a close eye on your puppy during playtime and intervene promptly if you catch them chewing on inappropriate objects. Redirect their attention to an appropriate toy and praise them for making the right choice. Supervision allows you to correct unwanted behavior immediately and guide your puppy towards more suitable alternatives.
Products to Help Deter Inappropriate Chewing
In addition to setting your puppy up for success with the above methods, there are products you can get to help you puppy proof your home and deter unwanted chewing.
Bitter-tasting sprays or gels:
These products are designed to make objects taste unpleasant to discourage chewing. Simply apply the spray or gel to objects your puppy tends to chew on, such as furniture legs or baseboards. The bitter taste will deter your puppy from mouthing or chewing on these items, redirecting their focus to more appropriate toys.
Chew-proofing solutions:
- Puppy Play Pen (Can also be used as a barrier gate)
- Baby Gate
Use protective covers or barriers to prevent access to tempting items that your puppy may be inclined to chew on. For example, you can use baby gates to block off rooms with valuable or hazardous items or invest in pet-proofing products to safeguard electrical cords and other potential chewing hazards.
Interactive and durable chew toys:
Look for toys specifically designed for puppies that are durable enough to withstand vigorous chewing. Choose toys made from strong materials such as rubber or nylon, and avoid toys that can easily be torn apart or swallowed. Interactive toys that dispense treats or have hidden compartments can provide additional mental stimulation and encourage prolonged chewing sessions.
Establishing a Chew-Positive Environment
Setting clear boundaries:
Establish areas where chewing is permitted, such as designated play areas or rooms with puppy-proofed furnishings. Use baby gates or closed doors to restrict access to areas where chewing is off-limits, such as bedrooms or living rooms with delicate furniture.
Redirecting consistently:
Whenever you catch your puppy chewing on inappropriate objects, redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy immediately. Be consistent in your response to chewing behavior, providing praise and rewards for choosing the right toys and gently correcting any mistakes.
Patience and consistency:
Be patient with your pup and be consistent in your redirection efforts until the chewing stage has passed. If done correctly, your pup will avoid learning bad habits during this phase and develop positive chewing behaviors that will benefit them throughout their life.
You can do this!
