How to Get Your Dog to Stop Chewing: A Practical Guide for Pet Parents

May 07, 2025

Are you tired of finding your favorite shoes, furniture, or pillows chewed to bits? Learning how to stop dogs from chewing is a top priority for many pet parents — especially when the behavior becomes destructive. Whether you’re dealing with a teething puppy or an adult dog with a chewing habit, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Why Do Dogs Chew?

Understanding dog chewing behavior is the first step to stopping it. Here are the most common reasons dogs chew:

Puppy Teething: Like babies, puppies chew to relieve teething discomfort.
Exploration: Dogs use their mouths to explore their environment.
Boredom or Separation Anxiety: Dogs left alone for long periods often chew to self-soothe.
Lack of Chew Toys: Without appropriate outlets, dogs turn to furniture, shoes, and other household items.

How to Stop Dogs from Chewing: 7 Effective Strategies

1. Puppy-Proof Your Home

Keep tempting objects like shoes, remotes, and kids’ toys out of reach. Block off rooms with valuable furniture or hazardous items. Preventing bad behavior is easier than correcting it later.

2. Provide the Right Chew Toys for Dogs

Not all chew toys are created equal. Choose high-quality, durable chew toys for dogs that match your pet’s size and chewing strength. For puppies, try soft rubber toys or frozen teething rings to ease gum pain.

🦴 Pro Tip: Rotate toys weekly to keep your dog interested and reduce boredom.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement Training

When you catch your dog chewing on the right toy, reward them with praise or a treat. If they’re chewing on something they shouldn’t, calmly remove the item and redirect them to a proper chew toy.

Training dogs to stop chewing is all about consistency and rewarding the behavior you want to see.

4. Give Plenty of Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Dogs often chew out of boredom. Daily walks, games like fetch, and puzzle toys can help release energy and reduce destructive behavior. A well-exercised dog is less likely to chew things out of frustration or anxiety.

5. Use Dog-Safe Deterrent Sprays

Apply bitter-tasting deterrents like Grannick’s Bitter Apple or NaturVet No Chew to objects your dog targets. These sprays are non-toxic and discourage repeat offenses.

6. Practice Crate Training

A properly-sized crate creates a safe environment when you're not home to supervise. Crate training can help prevent unsupervised chewing and ease anxiety, especially in puppies and newly adopted dogs.

7. Visit Your Veterinarian if Chewing Persists

If your dog’s chewing is excessive, obsessive, or suddenly escalates, it could be a sign of dental problems, digestive issues, or anxiety disorders. Rule out medical causes with your vet.

Final Thoughts on Stopping Destructive Chewing

Learning how to stop dogs from chewing is all about patience, prevention, and providing positive outlets. Make sure your dog has access to safe chew toys, daily exercise, and mental enrichment. With time and consistent training, your dog will learn what's okay to chew — and what’s off-limits.

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