How do I stop my dog from chewing?

Chewing is a completely normal activity for dogs, but sometimes it can spiral out of control and become destructive. Today, our Las Vegas vets discuss some of the causes of destructive chewing and how you can help your dog with healthy chewing habits. 

Why won't my dog stop chewing things?

Does your dog have chewing problems? You're not alone. Chewing on objects is your dog's way of exploring the world around them. Chewing can also be a way for puppies to relieve teething pain and for adult dogs to keep their jaws strong and teeth clean.

While chewing is healthy behavior in dogs, sometimes chewing can become destructive and you might find your pup chomping down on things you don't want them to. Here are a few reasons why: 

Stress & Anxiety

Our furry friends are social creatures at heart and many pets suffer from separation anxiety when their owners are away. Dogs experiencing anxiety or stress will often turn to chewing as a way to comfort themselves.

Boredom

If your dog spends extended periods of time alone without mental stimulation they can quickly become bored with their regular toys and may resort to chewing on any interesting objects that they find around your house as a way of passing time.

Puppy Teething

Puppies go through an uncomfortable teething period just like human babies. While your puppy is teething they are likely to chew frequently in order to relieve their pain and discomfort.

Hunger

It is not uncommon for dogs on calorie-restricted diets to begin chewing on objects in an effort to find other sources of nutrition. This type of chewing is generally directed toward objects related to food or that smell like food such as plastic bowls.

How To Stop A Dog From Chewing

When trying to prevent your dog from destructive chewing, it is essential to start by identifying the cause and eliminating any of the problems listed above. Step two is to focus on redirecting your dog's chewing to more desirable objects, such as chew toys.

Exercise

Adequate daily exercise is the key to a happy and healthy pup. Ensuring your dog gets plenty of exercise before you leave the house is one of the best ways to curb destructive chewing. High energy breeds such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Spaniels need on average two hours of exercise every day, while more laid back breeds such as Pomeranians, Pugs, and Shih Tzus often do well with as little as 40 minutes of exercise daily.

Entertainment

To help reduce separation anxiety or boredom in dogs that spend extended periods of time alone, try training your dog to associate alone time with positive experiences. When you leave, provide a puzzle toy stuffed with food, and a variety of fun toys that your dog only gets to play with while you are away. This helps retain the novelty and keep them occupied. 

Providing your pooch with lots of interesting toys will not only create a positive association with alone time, but it will also serve as a distraction from the objects that you don't want your dog to chew on.

Dog Proofing

Removing all other temptations can be helpful in ensuring that your pup only chews designated objects. Place valuable objects out of reach, make sure your laundry is put away or in a closed hamper, and ensure that books and children's toys are stored out of your dog's reach.

Discourage Unwanted Chewing

When you encounter your dog chewing on an item they shouldn't be, promptly and firmly say "no," take it away, and replace it with a toy they are allowed to chew on. You should then be sure to provide lots of praise when your dog chews on the correct object instead.

If none of the suggestions above are successful in stopping your dog's destructive chewing, you may want to try spraying any objects you don't want your dog to chew with a dog deterrent spray.