How to Fix Destructive Chewing
Originally published April 2020. Updated May 2024
Ah, chewing. The behavior problem that leaves your belongings in shreds and can cost hundreds in repair and replacement.
Why is the dog chewing?
Puppy. Puppies chew on things. It’s absolutely normal and absolutely predictable. FYI, “teething” isn’t over until the dog is 6-7 months old.
Stress. Did you know chewing can be a form of stress relief? If the dog is chronically distressed, chewing may increase.
The distress can be either:
Emotional: generalized fear or anxiety, frequent fights/scuffles with other dogs in the home, separation anxiety, separation distress, on-leash reactivity to dogs or people, etc.
Physical: GI upset, skin issues, ear infections, musculoskeletal pain, etc.
Attention Seeking. Dogs aren’t dummies. They learn real quick that humans mostly ignore them when they’re being good, but as soon as they grab something illegal, the humans jump up and chase them around the house. Chewing becomes the dog’s request for playtime.
Boredom. Without appropriate mental and physical outlets, some dogs look to chewing to deal with their excess energy.
The solution to chewing: Step #1
Regardless of why your dog is chewing, the first step is the same: remove the illegal items. Dogs cannot chew on what they cannot access.
The dog’s space needs to be chew-proofed; there’s no way around this. Keep the clothing, trash, books, papers and electronics out of reach. The more often he chews illegal items, the worse the problem will become.
Keeping the entire house chew-proofed isn’t easy; especially if you live with other people or children. Consider creating a smaller dog area instead: use baby gates to section off a portion of your home, OR keep all bedroom, bathroom, closet and office doors shut so he only has access to the main living spaces.
The solution to chewing: Step #2
Once you’ve removed the temptations, provide legal chew alternatives.
Select chews that mimic the textures he seems to prefer, and rotate them frequently.
Food stuffed toys and intentionally consumable items (like No-Hides, braided bully sticks, or Farm Hounds Beef Hide Rolls) are great options too and tend to hold the dog’s attention for longer periods of time.
Remember to also get at the root of why your dog is chewing.
If there’s underlying boredom or distress, dealing with those issues appropriately is part of fixing the chewing.
If you suspect some sort of separation anxiety, contact a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer like Sarah Bond.
Do I have to live like this forever?
Most likely not. However, there are some dogs who find certain temptations simply irresistible, no matter what training you do. Those dogs will need some level of prevention for life.
What about those sprays?
You can always try, but some dogs aren’t deterred. Or, it works while the spray is wet, but then does nothing once it dries.
It also doesn’t address the underlying cause of the chewing so even if it keeps your dog off that particular illegal item, the deeper problem is still there and may pop up somewhere else.
