How To Stop A Dog From Chewing Everything


How To Stop A Dog From Chewing Everything, While Still Having Fun!

Knowing how to stop a dog from chewing everything, other than their chew toys, is an essential skill to have as a dog owner.

Chewing is a completely normal behavior in puppies as they explore their surroundings with their mouth. However, this normal behavior can be an expensive and destructive habit!

For older dogs, destructive chewing is often a sign of boredom, anxiety, or just plain fun! Knowing how to stop a dog from chewing everything and redirect this behavior is vital as a pet owner, not only to save your shoes and clothing but also your sanity!

Dog Toys, Dog Chew Toys for Aggressive chewers

Image depicting how to stop a dog from chewing everything

How do I Get My Dog to Stop Chewing and Eating Everything

Dog Proof Your Home

The most foolproof way to stop a dog from chewing your expensive items? Remove them from their reach!

It may seem like an obvious action, however like toddlers, puppies often have an uncanny knack of getting into the items you least want them in.

Redirect Your Dog!

Understanding that chewing is a normal behavior helps when choosing how to address the issue.

If your dog is busy chewing on something inappropriate redirect this urge to an appropriate item.

Watch your dog for signs that they may be getting in a “chewy” mood and pre-empt the behavior by offering them a chew toy prior to them choosing an object themselves!

Make The Most Of The Toys

One of the best ways to stop your dog from chewing on an item they shouldn’t be is by supplying them with an exciting toy instead!

Hardy Kong toys for puppies filled with peanut butter not only give your pet something to gnaw on but offer a delicious distraction!

KONG – Puppy Toy Natural Teething Rubber – Fun to Chew, Chase and Fetch

Provide Your Pet With Plenty Of Stimulation

For many puppies, chewing behavior may be due to boredom.

Provide your pet with plenty of regular exercise and adventure for physical and mental stimulation. Exercise releases feel-good calming endorphins, resulting in a chilled-out pet!

Get Creative

Supply your pet with homemade alternatives to keep their minds and mouths busy!

Soak a knotted old t-shirt soaked in water and pop it in the freezer. Grab this out on a hot day and your dog has the perfect summer chew toy and one that you won’t mind getting shredded.

Liver pupsicles, frozen water that contains liver treats keep your pet cool and occupied as they lick away trying to get every last treat!

Obstacle courses, sandpits hiding favorite toys… with a bit of creativity the options for fun (and distraction) for your pet are infinite.

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Address Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common behavioral issue in puppies and unaddressed can cause many issues such as destruction of property.

This condition can also be detrimental to neighborly relationships, with complaints of howling and unsociable barking common.

Gentle training getting your pet used to your absence should be used to slowly acclimatize your pet to being alone.

Proper training during puppyhood that utilizes tools such as crates, provides your pet with security and a happy sense of home.

If you suspect that separation anxiety is the issue, then you might find this article useful ==> How To Prevent Puppy Separation Anxiety

Deter With Unpleasant Tastes….

Apply bad-tasting deterrents such as bitter apple spray to furniture or surfaces that your dog just won’t stop chewing!

Your dog will quickly learn that the action leads pretty quickly to a not-so-pleasant taste!

Now that you know how to stop a dog from chewing everything, you can sit back and enjoy each other’s company…

KIPRITII Dog Chew Toys for Puppy – 18 Pack Puppies Teething Chew Toys for Boredom

Related articles:

How to Stop a Teething Puppy From Chewing Everything – coming soon
Stop Dog Chewing Furniture Home Remedies – coming soon

Warwick Jones

You'd be right in thinking that I am passionate about dogs. I am. So much so that my wife thinks that I love dogs more than I love her - which is not true, by the way. I love my wife, and I love my dogs, in that order. So this website is about sharing a little of what I know in the hope that I can help others become better dog owners - a well-trained dog owner equals a well trained, happy, and healthy dog :-)

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