Puppy Training Tips to Stop Chewing

Chewing is a natural puppy behavior. Puppies teethe for about the first six months, and chewing helps the pup's gums feel better. Puppies explore and learn about objects by putting them in their mouths. Puppies might chew because they are bored. Whatever the reason, the result is unintentional destruction. Training your puppy not to chew takes time but your shoes and furniture will thank you for it.

  1. Entertain Your Puppy

    • If you notice your puppy start to look a little too interested in your new flip flops, entice him into a training game. Games are fun for puppies, and playing will help tire him out. Training games such as hide and seek teach your puppy to stay and come. Reward your puppy for a good game or training session with a chew toy or bone and praise him when he chews on it.

    Supervise Your Puppy

    • The veterinarians at Chicago's Hilltop Animal Hospital suggest constant supervision to prevent inappropriate chewing. Stopping the act of chewing on the couch and redirecting the puppy's attention to a chew toy helps her learn the rules of the house. When you cannot supervise the puppy, confine her to her crate or to a puppy-proof room with a baby gate.

    Be Consistent

    • Dog trainer and breeder Norma Bennett Woolfe discusses chewing in her book, Dog Owners Guide. She writes that consistency is vital in stopping inappropriate chewing behavior in puppies. A puppy cannot distinguish between the old sock he is allowed to chew on and the new, expensive sock he gets in trouble for chewing on. If you give your puppy an old shoe, sock or other off-limits item to chew on, don't expect him to leave your new boots alone. Remain consistent with the rules or the puppy will just be confused.

    Avoid Punishment

    • Punishment, especially after the fact, does not teach the puppy that chewing is bad. Puppies associate punishment with what they are doing at the exact time they are corrected, explains the Humane Society of the United States. Punishing your puppy when you get home and find out that she chewed your table at some point that day will only make her afraid of you and confused. If you catch your dog in the act, simply distracting and redirecting the chewing to an appropriate item is sufficient to get the idea across.