Tips on Puppy Chewing

Puppies, however cute, oftentimes can have a destructive habit that isn't quite so cute, and that is chewing. Chewing can wreak havoc on your home, from damaging your furniture to your shoes. In general, puppies chew to stave off hunger, to soothe discomfort that arises due to teething and simply to be playful. If you're dealing with a puppy that has a chewing habit, you can handle it in several ways.

  1. Chew Toys

    • One way to teach a puppy not to chew on everything in sight is by purchasing for him his own chew toys, so that he doesn't feel compelled to chew on anything else (such as your carpet). Look for a toy that is made out of rawhide for safety purposes, in case the dog ingests it.

    Treats

    • Keeping a mischievous young puppy occupied with food is another way to deter him from chewing. Not only will occasional treats keep your pup's belly satisfied, but they will also provide her with something appropriate to chew on. Consider pig's ears or puppy biscuits.

    Training

    • Train your puppy by showering him with praise when he chews on something that you gave to him specifically for that purpose, such as a chew toy. Train him with something tasty. This helps to reinforce that the item was assigned to him. Make sure to teach him a "no biting" command. When he chews something that he shouldn't, firmly and loudly say "no," but make sure not to scare him with your tone. Then provide him with something that is OK to chew on instead, such as the toy.

    Clutter

    • To keep your home environment as safe from puppy-chewing as possible, chew-proof the residence by freeing it of excess clutter. If you have children, make sure that their toys aren't all over the floor. Also, make sure that your puppy doesn't have access to trashcans. Try not to leave anything around that a puppy might be able to access and chew on, such as a television remote control.

    Monitoring

    • Another way to help your puppy stop chewing is by monitoring him as you would a young baby. Use baby gates to prevent him from going anywhere out of your line of sight.

    Crating

    • When you are away from home and unable to supervise, consider using a crate for your puppy, to avoid being faced with chewed slippers and upholstery.

    Exercise

    • To diminish your puppy's desire to chew, make sure that he gets sufficient daily exercise. If he gets rid of any extra energy, he will be less likely to be frustrated and chew on things around the house. If possible, take your puppy out every day for between two and three 15 minute walks. Also, provide him with frequent interactive outdoor playtime, such as throwing him a Frisbee and letting him retrieve it for you.