How To Stop Destructive Chewing In Dogs

Understand the Why Behind the Chewing

Before you can stop destructive chewing in dogs, it’s crucial to understand why it happens. Chewing is a natural behavior, but when it turns destructive, it’s often a signal of unmet needs.

Common Reasons Dogs Chew

Natural Instinct Especially for Puppies

Chewing is a key way that puppies explore their environment.
It helps strengthen their jaws and clean baby teeth.
Puppies also use their mouths to relieve curiosity, much like toddlers.

Teething Discomfort or Boredom

During teething (typically 3 to 6 months old), dogs chew to soothe sore gums.
Boredom is a major trigger, especially in intelligent or high energy breeds.
Without proper outlets, dogs will find their own solutions like your shoes.

Separation Anxiety Triggers

Dogs that feel anxious when left alone may chew to self soothe.
This is different from boredom it’s often compulsive and occurs soon after the owner leaves.
May include other signs like pacing, whining, or scratching at doors.

Lack of Physical or Mental Stimulation

Under exercised dogs often have pent up energy they release through chewing.
Mental stimulation is equally important solving problems and staying mentally engaged reduces destructive behavior.

Stress and Unmet Needs

Changes in environment, schedule, or routine can create stress that manifests through chewing.
Dogs use chewing to release emotion it’s calming for them.

Need professional insight? Get expert dog behavior help

Identify Patterns and Triggers

Before you can fix destructive chewing, you need to understand when and why it happens. Start by paying attention. Is your dog chewing only when left alone? Do they go after things at night, or right after guests have visited? These context clues matter. They can point to anxiety, loneliness, or overstimulation all of which require different fixes.

Next, take note of what gets destroyed. Shoes, baseboards, remote controls, corners of furniture each target says something. Chewing wood or hard plastics might signal teething or boredom. Soft items like pillows or clothes could suggest a need for comfort or carry your scent, which matters more than you think.

Also watch body language. Pacing, whining, lip licking, or sudden energy spikes before chewing? Those are red flags. They might not just be gnawing for fun they could be trying to cope with stress. And if chewing ramps up during times of change or chaos, it’s probably not a coincidence.

Provide Better Alternatives

If your dog’s chewing habits are destructive, the first step isn’t discipline it’s redirection. Get the right chew toys for your dog’s size, age, and energy level. A teacup Yorkie and a power chewing Lab don’t need the same gear. Look for durable materials, and be honest about your dog’s ability to destroy things.

One toy doesn’t cut it. Rotate them weekly to keep novelty high what’s exciting one day becomes background noise the next. A toy that’s out of sight for a few days comes back like new. You don’t need dozens, just a smart cycle.

For teething puppies or dogs who love a cold crunch, make DIY frozen treats. Try stuffing a rubber toy with plain yogurt and a bit of kibble, then freeze it. Or just toss a frozen carrot their way. It soothes and satisfies without sacrificing your baseboards.

Reinforce Positive Chewing Habits

Destructive chewing isn’t about disobedience it’s a communication breakdown. So correction needs to be calm and low drama. No yelling, no scare tactics. Catch them in the act? Say a firm, neutral “No” and take the item away.

Then comes the redirect. Hand your dog a toy they’re supposed to chew. Soft for pups, tougher for power chewers. Keep a few around to avoid scrambling in the moment. As soon as they start chewing the right thing, praise them like they invented the light bulb. Reinforce the preferred behavior instantly.

Timing is key. Don’t wait to celebrate good chewing it loses meaning. Make the connection in real time: wrong thing, swap it out, good choice, reward. Over time, patterns change.

Crate training can speed this along, not as punishment, but as peace and structure. A properly introduced crate gives your dog a safe place, especially when unsupervised. Same goes for gating off rooms or using a playpen. Fewer temptations, fewer mistakes. Controlled space leads to better habits.

Fix the Root Cause

If your dog is chewing like it’s their side hustle, chances are the issue runs deeper than bad manners. Start by dialing up their daily physical activity. A long walk or intense play session can burn off energy that might otherwise go into wrecking your couch. But exercise alone isn’t enough mental stimulation is just as important.

Puzzle feeders, basic scent work with hidden treats, or rotating DIY games will challenge your dog’s brain and give them something productive to focus on. Chewing is often a symptom of boredom, and these tools help hit the reset switch.

If your dog spends time in a crate, don’t treat it like a punishment box. Make it an enriching space with safe chew toys, food puzzles, or a frozen peanut butter kong. The goal is rest with stimulation, not isolation.

Finally, if the chewing escalates when you’re away, your dog might be struggling with being alone. In that case, doggy daycare or a well vetted pet sitter could be a game changer. Interaction, movement, a change of scenery these are powerful antidotes to destructive behavior that stems from stress or loneliness.

When to Get Professional Help

If you’ve tried redirection, exercise, toys, and structure and your dog is still chewing through drywall or hurting themselves it’s time to call in a pro. Not all chewing is just boredom or curiosity. Sometimes, it’s a symptom of something deeper: chronic anxiety, obsessive behaviors, or even trauma responses.

Dogs with compulsive chewing often show other signs: pacing, whining, drooling, and fixating on doors or windows. If the destruction continues even when needs seem met, it’s less about chewing for fun and more about a system under stress. That’s not something you can DIY your way out of.

A certified trainer or canine behaviorist can step in with a customized plan. They’ll assess the root causes and design a path forward one that brings relief for both you and your dog.

Check out this trusted source for dog behavior help