How To Stop Destructive Dog Chewing

Destructive Chewing - What it is and how to prevent it.

When people ask me "how do I stop my dog from chewing things" the first part of my answer is always the same, you don't, and the second part of the answer goes like this. Dogs are canines, they are descendents wolves. In the wild their very survival depends on them having strong jaws and a set of sharp teeth - so they work at it - they can't help it - it's in a dog’s nature to chew things. Destructive chewing only becomes a problem if the destruction is happening your stuff, if it was happening to a dog bone it would be fine. Remember this, your dog is not you, unless the dog knows what it is allowed to chew it has to rely on its own judgment which, quite honestly can sometimes defy logic and reason. Chair cushions, table legs and shoes seem to be quite popular with "uneducated" dogs. So problem chewing really means - the dog won't chew its own things.

Apart from being half wolf why else might a dog chew?

- Many dogs have a natural desire to chew. It’s fun and it passes the time, and if she’s chewing on bone it probably tastes good.

- Chewing provides a nervous, bored, or lonely dog with an outlet for her emotions. To an anxious dog, the repetitive act of chewing is soothing – it’s the doggie equivalent of comfort food.

- Under exercised dogs can use chewing as a way of burning off nervous energy by giving themselves something to do.

How to prevent destructive chewing

Dogs are quick to learn and are more than capable of learning not to chew your stuff – you just have to put a little effort in, that’s all. This is what I suggest you do.

1. Dog proof your home. Dogs are inquisitive creatures and they have no hands they explore the world with their mouths. So the first job is to remove anything from the dog’s vicinity that you don't want to end up in its mouth.

When you are deciding whether something’s out of reach consider her size and agility, can she jump? Can she climb? How tall is she when standing on her hind legs?

Common targets in the home include magazines, glasses, shoes, garbage, and a particular favorite with some dogs are small crunchy things like cameras, remote controls, and cell phones.

Obviously, all food needs to be put away: don’t leave snacks on low tables (or even or kitchen work tops - you’d be surprised how acrobatic a little dog can be when there’s food at stake.

If you can prevent her from chewing the wrong things in the first place, she can't make a habit of it. What you want her chewing habit to be associated with things she is allowed to chew. Practically speaking, this means confining her in a dog-proofed area until you’re confident in her understanding of the house rules.

2. Don’t confuse her by blurring the boundaries between her stuff (OK to chew) and your stuff (not OK to chew). Never give your dog cast off clothes, old shoes, or towels to play with. How is she really supposed to be able to tell the difference between your new shoes and the one she’s got in her mouth that you gave her a few minutes ago?

3. Give your dog plenty of her own things to play with. Remember we've already said dogs need to chew, if there is nothing else you can't blame her for having a quick nibble at your stuff. If the dog is an adolescent (under three years) or a puppy (under one year), her needs will be even more pronounced. Treat her, go on a shopping spree for toys and chews, and then give her a couple to play with at a time. Rotating them every few days will keep things interesting for her.

4. Spend more time in actively supervising your dog. It may be easier for you to just keep locked in the yard or penned up in her crate, but that’s boring and will make her lonely. Dogs are pack animals, they need company and they need an obvious hierarchy of command and, unless you give them reason to think otherwise, they will expect you to instruct them on how to behave.

5. When you catch your dog chewing something it shouldn't, interrupt her by making a loud noise: clap your hands or make an “Ah-ah-aaaah!” noise. Then, immediately hand her a suitable alternative (a rawhide bone or chew toy); as soon as she has it in her mouth, praise her lavishly. It's an easy way of getting your dog to understand that chewing “her” toys equals praise, while chewing anything else equals trouble.

- Maintain a productive attitude -

Above all, be realistic. Particularly in the early stages of your relationship, while she’s still learning the ropes so to speak. There may well be at least one incident where curiosity overcomes her and she damages something she shouldn't. Give her time to learn the rules and keep in mind how important spending time playing and walking together is, it really does help dogs learn faster.

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