Understanding how to stop a dog from chewing everything starts with working out why they’re doing it in the first place. Dogs chew for different reasons depending on their age, energy levels, and what’s going on around them. What works for a puppy teething isn’t the same as what works for a bored adult or an anxious older dog.
I’ve had more things chewed than I care to count. Remote controls. Table legs. The corner of a doorframe once, which I still don’t understand. It’s frustrating, especially when it happens to something you actually needed, but the dog isn’t doing it to annoy you. There’s always a reason behind it.
Why Dogs Chew
Dogs explore the world with their mouths. Puppies chew because their gums hurt and it feels good to gnaw on something. Younger dogs chew because they’re bored or they’ve got energy they don’t know what to do with. Older dogs sometimes chew because they’re anxious or because their routine has changed and they’re unsettled.
It’s not spite. It’s not rebellion. It’s usually one of three things: discomfort, boredom, or stress. Once you know which one it is, you can do something about it.
Puppies and Teething
If your puppy is chewing everything, they’re probably teething. It starts around three to four months and can go on until they’re six or seven months old. Their gums are sore and chewing relieves the pressure.
The solution is simple. Give them things they’re allowed to chew that actually help. Frozen carrots work well. So do rope toys you’ve soaked in water and put in the freezer. Hard rubber toys designed for teething puppies last longer than most other things and they can’t destroy them in ten minutes.
Keep anything you don’t want chewed out of reach. Shoes, cables, anything wooden and low to the ground. It’s easier to remove the temptation than to teach a teething puppy to ignore it while their mouth hurts.
Boredom and Energy
A bored dog will find something to do, and what they find is usually something you didn’t want them to touch. If your dog is chewing when you’re out or when they’ve been lying around for hours, boredom is the likely cause.
The fix is exercise and mental work before the chewing starts. A tired dog is far less interested in your furniture. That doesn’t mean just a walk around the block. It means proper exercise that actually uses up energy.
Mental stimulation matters just as much. Puzzle feeders, sniff mats, or even hiding treats around the house gives them something to focus on that isn’t your belongings. I started using a treat ball that dispensed food slowly and the difference in destructive behaviour was immediate.
Anxiety and Stress
Some dogs chew when they’re anxious. Separation anxiety is common, especially in dogs that aren’t used to being left alone. They chew because it’s a way to self-soothe, not because they’re angry you left.
If the chewing only happens when you’re out, that’s a strong sign. You might also notice other behaviours like pacing, whining, or toileting indoors. Anxiety-driven chewing needs a different approach than boredom.
Start by making your departures less dramatic. No long goodbyes. Leave the house calmly and come back the same way. Gradually increase the time you’re gone so they learn that you always come back. Give them something safe to chew while you’re out, like a filled Kong or a long-lasting chew, so they’ve got an outlet that isn’t destructive.
Related
9 Signs Your Dog Is Stressed
50 Boredom Busters for Dogs on Rainy Days
Why does my dog follow me everywhere?
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? What It Means and When to Worry
Why Does My Dog Circle Before Lying Down
What to Give Them Instead
You can’t just tell a dog to stop chewing. You have to give them an acceptable alternative. Not all chew toys are equal. Some fall apart quickly, some are too hard and damage teeth, and some just don’t hold a dog’s interest.
Here’s what actually works:
- Rubber toys designed for strong chewers: Brands like Kong make toys that last and can be stuffed with food to keep a dog occupied for longer.
- Natural chews like pizzle sticks or yak chews: These take time to get through and most dogs find them more satisfying than synthetic options.
- Rope toys: Good for dogs that like to pull and shake as well as chew, and they help clean teeth at the same time.
- Antlers or hard wooden chews: Long-lasting but not suitable for all dogs. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, these can be too hard and risk breaking teeth.
Rotate the toys every few days so they don’t get bored. A toy that’s been put away for a week feels new again when it comes back out.
What Not to Do
Punishing a dog after the fact doesn’t work. If you come home and find something chewed, telling them off won’t connect the behaviour to the consequence in their mind. They’ll just learn that you’re unpredictable and sometimes angry when you come home.
Catch them in the act if you can, redirect them calmly to something they’re allowed to chew, and praise them when they take it. That’s how they learn the difference.
Don’t give them old shoes or clothes to chew and then expect them to know the difference between the old ones and the new ones. A shoe is a shoe. If it’s not okay to chew, don’t offer it in the first place.
Managing the Environment
Prevention is easier than correction. If your dog keeps chewing the same type of thing, remove access to it until the behaviour improves. Baby gates, closed doors, and putting things up high all work.
Bitter sprays can help with furniture or specific items you can’t move. They taste foul and most dogs won’t go back to something once they’ve had a mouthful. It doesn’t work on every dog, but it’s worth trying if you’ve got a persistent chewer.
Older Dogs and Chewing
If an older dog suddenly starts chewing when they haven’t before, something has changed. It might be dental pain, cognitive decline, or anxiety related to a shift in their routine or health. The Dog Years to Human Years Calculator can give you a sense of where they are in life stage terms, which helps frame what might be going on.
Check their mouth for broken teeth, swollen gums, or anything that looks uncomfortable. If you can’t see an obvious cause, a vet visit is the next step. Older dogs sometimes chew because it distracts them from discomfort elsewhere, and that’s not something you can train out.
Consistency
Whatever approach you take, it has to be consistent. If the dog is allowed to chew something one day and told off for it the next, they won’t understand the rule. Everyone in the house needs to be on the same page about what’s allowed and what isn’t.
It takes time. Some dogs learn quickly. Others take weeks. But if you’re clear, patient, and you give them better options, the behaviour does improve. You’re not trying to stop them chewing entirely. You’re teaching them what they can chew instead.
This article is for informational purposes only. For advice specific to your dog always speak to your vet.