How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Chewing?

The best way to get your dog to stop chewing will depend on the reason for the behavior—and there are several possibilities. Dogs may chew because they are bored, teething, suffering from anxiety, need more exercise, or just because it's fun! Even if you rule out all but the last reason, the fact is that dogs like to chew. If you don't like what they are chewing on, it's time to redirect the chewing to something else.

Your Dog Seems to Love What You Love

It seems like your dog's favorite things to chew are your favorite things: shoes, your furniture, your iPhone. So how can you stop this destruction? Here are a few helpful hints: 

Identify the Cause

There may not always be an underlying cause for the chewing. If there is, however, identifying and resolving it will be the most effective way to deal with the issue. If your pet is just bored or needs more exercise, you can provide extra brisk walks each day or help him stay stimulated with fun, interactive toys and more playtime.

If anxiety is the cause, you'll want to seek the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. Based on the severity of the anxiety, solutions may include the use of calming products, changing his environment, or, in moderate to severe cases, medication. 

Provide Plenty of Alternatives

Make sure your dog has abundant appropriate choices when he feels like chewing. Buy lots of toys in different sizes and textures and swap them out or add to them regularly. Helpful hint: Don't provide toys that look like objects you don't want your pup to chew, i.e. dog toys shaped like shoes.  

Protect Your Stuff

Until you figure out how to stop destructive chewing, it's all about damage control! Spray furniture with a bitter spray and put away shoes and other small objects out of your dog's reach.

It might seem an uphill battle, but with some work and a little patience, you'll be able to direct your dog's chewing away from your favorite sling backs to more appropriate objects.