How To Stop Dogs Chewing

Dogs are lively creatures. Each dog has its own personality, but there is one trait that all dogs seem to share - a love of chewing.

Every day, desperate dog owners everywhere try to work out how they can stop dogs chewing. The good news is that it is not that hard, especially when you know why they do it.

Like humans, dogs have emotions, and react differently to situations. Often, their emotions cause them to exhibit certain behaviors, and unfortunately, one common behavior displayed is chewing.

In some cases, dogs chew when they are teething. Chewing feels good, especially when your dog’s gums hurt.

Dogs will also chew out of curiosity, as a way of investigating objects.

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Another reason dogs will chew is out of boredom. Many dogs, especially active breeds, chew simply because they have nothing better to do. Dogs will chew on items, such as shoes, sofa cushions, children’s’ toys etc because they need something to occupy their mind, and these particular objects look or smell tempting to them at that time.

One tactic you can try in order to stop dogs chewing up your sofa cushions or objects on or around it is to allocate specific area for him to lie in, and then exclude him from the sofa, chairs and beds at all times. This will reinforce in his mind that as a low ranking member of the pack, he does not have the right of access to your possessions, or choose where he wants to sit or lie down.

If your dog is particularly inquisitive, he will want to investigate any new objects or things with interesting smells which he finds around the house. It’s ok for him to investigate these things, but you must teach him that it is not ok to try and steal them, or touch them with his mouth. We’ve all heard the slogan, “Out of sight, out of mind.” The same is true for dogs. If your finding it difficult to stop dogs chewing a particular object, make sure it is removed to an area which the dog cannot access, and then work on training him not to steal objects with something he is less drawn to.

Dogs don’t instinctively know what they can and can’t use for chewing, so it’s important that you make it clear to him. If you catch him in the act of chewing something he shouldn’t be, tell him “No”, and command him to bring it to you. Don’t show any anger, or turn it into a fun game of ‘catch-me-if-you-can’ for the dog.

Praise him for bringing it to you, and then give him something which he is allowed to chew, i.e. a rawhide chew, dog-rope or dog-toy. Make a big fuss of him now and say “Good boy” for taking the object that you’re happy for him to have. Smile at him to convey your happiness.

Eventually, your dog will get the idea that it’s not okay to chew on whatever he chooses, but he will quickly begin to understand which objects you are happy for him to have.

For more tips on how to stop dogs chewing, see How to teach dogs to stop chewing (page 2).

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