Why Dogs Chew: Understanding the Root Causes
Before you can effectively address destructive chewing, you need to understand what's driving it. Dogs don't chew your possessions to punish you or because they're "bad"—they chew because it serves a real purpose in their lives. [1]
Chewing is a deeply instinctual behavior inherited from your dog's wild ancestors. Think about wolves tearing apart prey; those sharp teeth evolved for a reason. In modern domestic life, chewing helps dogs clean their teeth, exercise their jaw muscles, and most importantly, it's genuinely enjoyable. [3]
For puppies specifically, teething creates genuine discomfort. Puppies develop 28 baby teeth that eventually fall out and are replaced by 42 adult teeth—a process that can take up to six months. During this period, chewing provides real relief from the pain and irritation of erupting teeth. [4]
Adult dogs chew for different reasons. A bored or stressed dog will chew whatever is available as a way to occupy their mouth and mind. Your dog might gravitate toward your shoes or the remote control not because of taste, but because these items smell strongly of you—they're rich in olfactory information that makes them irresistible. [3]
Wooden baseboards and furniture legs might seem like odd choices, but to your dog, they're simply convenient objects at mouth level with a satisfying texture. Plastic and wood provide just enough firmness with enough give to make chomping rewarding. [3]
The Teething Timeline: What to Expect
Understanding when and why your puppy chews can help you prepare. Most puppies begin showing signs of teething around three to four weeks of age, with the discomfort peaking between three and six months. [4]
During this window, your puppy will be extra mouthy and will seek out anything that feels good to chew. This is completely normal and expected. The key is managing their environment and providing appropriate outlets so they don't develop a lasting preference for your belongings.
How Early Chewing Habits Form (And Why Prevention Matters)
Here's a critical insight: if your puppy gets away with chewing your shoe during their first few months, they're not just enjoying a momentary pleasure—they're learning that shoes are excellent chew toys. They'll remember this lesson into adulthood. [3]
Every time a puppy successfully chews something inappropriate and experiences relief (especially during teething), that behavior gets reinforced. They learn: "When my mouth hurts, I can chew this thing and feel better." This creates a habit that's harder to break later. [3]
This is why prevention during puppyhood is so valuable. If your puppy never learns that shoes, furniture, or baseboards are fun to chew, they're far less likely to try them as an adult. The better you manage their environment and redirect their chewing drive early, the easier your life becomes.
Step 1: Puppy-Proof Your Home Immediately
The first line of defense against destructive chewing is environmental management. You can't train your puppy not to chew something they don't have access to. [2]
Get down on your hands and knees and survey each room from your puppy's perspective. What can they reach? What looks interesting at mouth level?
- Store shoes in closed closets or bins
- Keep remote controls, phones, and electronics in drawers
- Remove children's toys from accessible areas
- Secure loose electrical cords and cables
- Block access to baseboards and furniture legs if possible
- Pick up socks, underwear, and small items that could be swallowed
- Remove toxic plants and household chemicals
This isn't about being paranoid—it's about setting your puppy up for success by removing temptation. [2]
Step 2: Provide Enticing Appropriate Chew Toys
Simply placing a pile of chew toys on the floor and hoping your puppy chooses them over your belongings rarely works. Remember, your shoe is a proven delight, while that rubber toy is an unknown object. You need to make appropriate chews so appealing that your puppy actively prefers them. [3]
High-Value Chew Options
Treat-Dispensing Toys: Rubber chew toys designed to hold food are powerful motivators. Stuff them with peanut butter, cream cheese, or wet food mixed with harder treats like liver biscuits. For extra longevity and challenge, freeze the stuffed toy before giving it to your puppy. [3]
Edible Chews: These won't last as long as rubber toys, but they're incredibly exciting to dogs. Options include bully sticks, yak chews, and dental chews. Choose options appropriate for your dog's chewing style—vigorous chewers should avoid rawhide, which can splinter and cause intestinal blockages. [3]
Rotating Toy Selection: Puppies get bored with the same toys. Keep a variety on hand and rotate them every few days so each toy feels "new" again. This maintains novelty and interest. [3]
Kibble as Enrichment: Your puppy's regular kibble can be stuffed into chew toys to provide mental stimulation and reward. This turns meals into an engaging activity rather than just eating from a bowl. [2]
Strategic Chew Toy Placement
Place high-value chew toys in the areas where your puppy spends the most time. If your puppy is crate training, always have a special toy available in the crate. If they're in a playpen, stock it with interesting chews. Make these toys the most exciting things in your puppy's environment.
Step 3: Teach the "Leave It" Command
A solid "leave it" cue is one of the most valuable skills you can teach your dog for preventing destructive chewing. This command means "stop what you're doing and move away from that object." [1]
Here's how to teach it:
- Hold a treat in your closed fist
- Let your dog sniff and lick your hand
- When they pull away, mark the moment with "yes!" and reward with a different treat from your other hand
- Repeat this until your dog reliably moves away from your closed fist
- Add the verbal cue "leave it" right before they pull away
- Gradually increase difficulty by placing treats on the floor, then less desirable objects
- Practice with items that resemble things they shouldn't chew
This command gives you an active way to redirect chewing when you catch it happening. [1]
Step 4: Redirect and Reward Appropriate Chewing
When you catch your puppy chewing something inappropriate, resist the urge to punish. Instead, calmly redirect them to an appropriate chew toy and reward them enthusiastically when they engage with it. [1]
Here's the process:
- Gently interrupt the inappropriate chewing (no yelling or hitting)
- Offer an appropriate chew toy immediately
- If your puppy takes interest, praise and reward generously
- If they return to the inappropriate item, repeat the process
- Stay patient—this takes repetition
Your goal is to build a strong association: "When I chew my toys, good things happen. When I chew other things, the game stops and I get redirected."
Step 5: Manage Boredom and Stress Through Exercise
A critically overlooked factor in destructive chewing is insufficient mental and physical exercise. A bored or under-stimulated dog will create their own entertainment—often by chewing. [1]
Ensure your puppy gets:
- Age-appropriate physical exercise: Young puppies shouldn't do excessive jumping or running on hard surfaces, but they need regular play sessions. Gradually increase exercise as they grow.
- Mental stimulation: Puzzle toys, training sessions, sniff games, and interactive play challenge your puppy's brain and tire them out just as much as physical exercise.
- Structured playtime: Regular play sessions with you or other dogs provide healthy outlets for their energy.
- Variety: Change up activities and environments to keep things interesting.
A tired puppy is far less likely to engage in destructive chewing. [1]
Step 6: Use Deterrents for Unmovable Items
For baseboards, furniture, and other items you can't remove or hide, bitter-tasting sprays can help deter chewing. These sprays taste unpleasant to dogs but are safe and non-toxic. [3]
For best results:
- Apply the spray generously to the target area
- Reapply daily for at least three to four weeks
- Use this time to establish new positive chewing habits with appropriate toys
- Combine with other strategies—deterrent sprays alone rarely solve the problem
Think of deterrents as temporary tools while you're building better habits, not as permanent solutions. [3]
Step 7: Crate Training and Supervised Confinement
When you can't actively supervise your puppy, safe confinement prevents access to inappropriate chew items and keeps them safe. A properly sized crate—large enough to stand, turn around, and lie down, but not so large they can potty in one corner and sleep in another—becomes a secure den. [2]
In the crate, always provide:
- A comfortable bed or blanket
- A high-value chew toy or food-stuffed toy
- Access to water
- Positive associations with the space (never use it as punishment)
This teaches your puppy that confinement is a positive space where good things happen, and it prevents destructive behavior when you're not watching. [2]
Special Considerations for Adult Dogs
If you're dealing with destructive chewing in an adult dog who never learned appropriate habits as a puppy, the process is similar but may take longer. You're essentially retraining established habits. [3]
Be especially vigilant about:
- Removing all tempting items from reach
- Providing abundant appropriate chew options
- Ensuring adequate exercise and mental stimulation
- Being consistent with redirection and rewards
- Giving it time—habit changes don't happen overnight
If destructive chewing focuses on windows, door frames, or occurs primarily when you're away, this may indicate separation anxiety, which requires different intervention strategies. Consider consulting a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist in these cases. [3]
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Punishing after the fact: Punishing your dog hours after they chewed something doesn't teach them anything except to fear you. Dogs don't connect punishment with past actions. [1]
Yelling or physical punishment during chewing: This can create fear and doesn't address the underlying drive to chew. Redirect instead. [4]
Inconsistency: If you sometimes allow jumping on the couch and sometimes don't, your dog gets confused. The same applies to chewing—rules must be consistent. [1]
Ignoring the root cause: If your dog is chewing because they're bored or anxious, no amount of deterrent spray will solve it. Address the underlying need. [1]
Giving up too soon: Habit formation takes time. Most experts recommend at least three to four weeks of consistent management before expecting significant improvement. [3]
When to Seek Professional Help
If you've implemented these strategies consistently for several weeks without improvement, or if chewing is accompanied by other behavioral concerns, professional guidance can be invaluable. [5]
Consider reaching out to:
- A certified professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement methods
- A veterinary behaviorist if you suspect anxiety or other behavioral issues
- Your veterinarian to rule out medical causes (some dogs chew more when experiencing pain or dental issues)
- Training resources like the AKC GoodDog Helpline, which offers individualized advice from experienced trainers
Key Takeaways: Your Action Plan
Addressing destructive chewing requires a multi-pronged approach that combines prevention, redirection, and reward:
- Understand the why: Recognize that chewing is natural, not naughty
- Manage the environment: Remove temptation by securing inappropriate items
- Provide alternatives: Stock your home with enticing, appropriate chew toys
- Redirect consistently: When you catch chewing, calmly redirect to appropriate toys
- Reward heavily: Make appropriate chewing more rewarding than inappropriate chewing
- Exercise adequately: Ensure your dog gets sufficient physical and mental stimulation
- Be patient: Behavior change takes time and consistency
- Seek help when needed: Don't hesitate to work with a professional trainer
With dedication and the right approach, you can redirect your dog's powerful chewing drive toward appropriate outlets and protect your belongings in the process.
Sources & References
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/dog-being-bad/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/first-behaviors-teach-puppy/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-does-my-dog-chew-my-furniture-and-baseboards/
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/stop-dog-from-chewing/
- https://www.akc.org/products-services/akc-gooddog-helpline/
