Why the Puppy Won't Stop Chewing

Many new puppy owners have had the unfortunate experience of entering a room where a puppy has chewed everything within its reach. By understanding why a puppy chews and taking steps to prevent the chewing, both the puppy and its owner can have a happy relationship.

  1. Teething

    • Puppies start to get their adult teeth from four to six months of age, which causes them to want to chew more often as their permanent teeth come in. Chewing caused by teething will start to decline as the puppy matures.

    Behaviors

    • Puppies also chew due to boredom, trying to establish dominance, curiosity or separation anxiety. Depending on the breed of puppy, constant chewing can also be caused by a lack of exercise. Large-breed puppies require exercise more often and for longer periods than small-breed puppies.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Only give the puppy one or two toys at a time. If a puppy has too many toys, it has trouble distinguishing what is appropriate to chew on and what is not. Puppy toys should not look like household items, such as shoes or stuffed toys, because this sends the puppy a mixed message. Always praise the puppy for chewing on appropriate toys, and correct the puppy immediately for chewing on household items. The Animal Hospital website states, "When direct supervision is not possible, the puppy should be confined to a safe area. Crate training the puppy provides it with a safe place of its own and protects the environment."