Why Won't My Puppy Stop Chewing on the Furniture?

It's the question you dread asking yourself each time you come home: where did the stuffing come from this time? Puppies chew. It is an instinctive behavior that helps them strengthen their jaws, clean their teeth and sharpen their mind. It is how Puppy explores the world and keeps himself occupied. Unfortunately his mental exercise can be an exercise in frustration for you, and your wallet probably can't afford to replace the furniture constantly. In order to stop your puppy's destructive chewing, you need to understand why Puppy is chewing in the first place.

  1. Teething

    • Sometime before they reach six months of age, puppies lose their needle-sharp puppy teeth and grow a pearly-white set of canine fangs. Teething can cause pain and discomfort in Puppy's mouth just as it does in a human baby's mouth. In order to relieve that pain, he will seek out things to chew on that will make him feel better. In your puppy's case, that might be your furniture, though puppies will often chew on anything they can sink their growing teeth into. Chewing during teething not only relieves pain for Puppy, but gives him a way to explore his world. Give your puppy things of his own to chew on. During teething, your puppy may enjoy ice cubes or frozen washcloths that can numb the pain. Hard rubber toys such as Kongs and Nylabones can also help your puppy satisfy the need to chew.

    Doesn't Know Any Better

    • Chewing is normal puppy behavior. Puppy doesn't know what items are acceptable chew toys and what items aren't. As a puppy owner, it is your responsibility to teach your pup the difference. Don't scold or punish your puppy when you catch him (especially after the fact) chewing on the furniture. This will only confuse him and cause him to fear you or believe that chewing at all (an instinctive and necessary canine behavior) is somehow wrong. Instead, each time you catch your puppy chewing, interrupt the action with a noise. Praise your puppy immediately for focusing on you and offer a dog toy or chew in place of the furniture. Offer praise excitedly when Puppy takes the object and chews on it instead. Do this consistently and your puppy will soon learn what chew toys are appropriate and what objects are not.

    Boredom

    • Puppies often chew because they have nothing else to do. Take your puppy for daily walks, playing games, working on training and in companionship together. This interaction and exercise will burn your puppy's extra energy and fill the dog's need for human attention. Puppy will be less likely to develop destructive habits, such as chewing up your furniture. Keep several different types of chews, bones or toys on hand for your puppy to gnaw on. Your puppy may grow bored with the same toy or the same bones over and over. Mix it up, and your puppy will happily chew on dog toys instead of your toys.

    Frustration and Anxiety

    • Dogs and puppies sometimes chew to relieve stress, frustration or anxiety. It gives them something to focus on aside from the cause of their stress. Watch your puppy closely to see if the chewing coincides with a situation or event that makes your puppy nervous. Is the behavior occurring mostly during thunderstorms, for example, or when you are away from home? Once you determine what causes your puppy stress, you can take steps to deal with that anxiety in a less destructive way. Crate your puppy when you aren't home, for example (unless you suspect separation anxiety, in which case you should get a professional trainer or behaviorist to help). Provide a safe place and a few chew toys during thunderstorms or other stressful events.