Dogs love to chew. It’s a natural behavior that allows them to relieve stress, explore their environment, and, for puppies, ease the discomfort of teething. However, when your dog starts chewing on furniture or personal belongings, it can quickly become a problem. Not only can this lead to costly damage, but it can also be dangerous for your dog if they chew on harmful items. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to prevent your dog from chewing furniture and objects.
In this article, we’ll discuss why dogs chew, how to stop the behavior, and how to create a safe environment for both you and your dog.
Understanding Why Dogs Chew
Before you can address the issue, it’s important to understand why your dog chews in the first place. Dogs chew for various reasons, including:
- Teething: Puppies, just like human babies, go through a teething phase where chewing helps soothe their sore gums.
- Boredom or Anxiety: Dogs may chew when they’re bored, anxious, or frustrated. It’s a way for them to relieve stress or occupy themselves when they don’t have enough mental or physical stimulation.
- Exploration: Dogs are naturally curious, and they may chew on objects as a way of exploring their environment, especially when they’re younger.
- Attention-Seeking: If your dog learns that chewing gets a reaction from you—whether it’s positive or negative—they may chew as a way to grab your attention.
- Instinct: Certain breeds are more prone to chewing due to their natural instincts. Dogs with high energy levels or hunting instincts, like terriers, often chew more than others.
By understanding the root cause of the chewing, you can begin to implement solutions that address the behavior effectively.
1. Provide Appropriate Chew Toys
One of the best ways to stop your dog from chewing on furniture and objects is to provide them with appropriate chew toys. These toys satisfy their natural urge to chew while keeping them away from your personal belongings.
How to Choose the Right Chew Toys:
- Durable options: Make sure the chew toys are durable enough to withstand your dog’s chewing habits. Rubber or nylon toys tend to last longer and are safer for dogs that chew heavily.
- Variety of textures: Dogs enjoy different textures, so try offering a mix of rubber, rope, and soft plush toys to keep them engaged.
- Size-appropriate toys: Choose toys that are the right size for your dog. A toy that’s too small can be a choking hazard, while one that’s too large may not interest them as much.
Tips for Encouraging Chewing:
- Make the toys exciting: If your dog isn’t interested in the toys, try rubbing a small amount of peanut butter or stuffing them with treats to make them more appealing.
- Rotate toys: Dogs can get bored with the same toys, so rotate them regularly to keep things fresh and exciting.
Providing plenty of engaging toys can help redirect your dog’s chewing behavior away from furniture and objects.
2. Increase Physical and Mental Stimulation
Boredom and lack of stimulation are major contributors to destructive chewing behavior. Dogs that don’t get enough exercise or mental engagement may turn to chewing as a way to cope with their energy.
How to Keep Your Dog Mentally and Physically Stimulated:
- Regular walks and exercise: Ensure your dog is getting enough physical activity each day. Depending on your dog’s breed and age, aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise daily.
- Interactive play: In addition to walks, engage your dog in interactive games like fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek. These activities help burn off excess energy while strengthening your bond with your dog.
- Training sessions: Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Incorporate training into your daily routine to keep your dog’s brain active. Teaching them new tricks or commands can provide the challenge they need to stay focused.
By providing enough exercise and mental stimulation, you’ll reduce the likelihood of your dog resorting to chewing out of boredom or frustration.
3. Use Deterrents to Keep Your Dog Away from Furniture
If your dog is chewing on furniture or objects around the house, deterrents can help make these items less appealing. There are several safe and effective deterrents you can use to discourage chewing behavior.
Types of Deterrents:
- Spray deterrents: There are sprays available that are designed to discourage dogs from chewing. These sprays typically have an unpleasant taste or smell that dogs find repellent. Apply the spray to furniture or objects that your dog tends to chew on.
- Citrus or bitter sprays: Dogs dislike the taste of citrus or bitter substances. You can create a DIY deterrent by mixing water with lemon or bitter apple extract and spraying it on the items your dog chews.
- Aluminum foil or double-sided tape: Some dogs dislike the texture of aluminum foil or sticky surfaces. Placing these materials on furniture can make it uncomfortable for your dog to chew.
While deterrents can be helpful, they should be used in combination with other methods, such as providing appropriate chew toys and increasing stimulation.
4. Redirect Your Dog’s Behavior
When you catch your dog in the act of chewing on something they shouldn’t, it’s important to redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy. This method teaches your dog what they are allowed to chew and helps them learn the difference between acceptable and unacceptable items.
How to Redirect Chewing:
- Interrupt the behavior calmly: If you catch your dog chewing on furniture, calmly say “no” and immediately offer them a chew toy or bone.
- Praise and reward: When your dog starts chewing on the appropriate toy, praise them and offer a treat. Positive reinforcement will help them understand that chewing on the toy is the right behavior.
By consistently redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior, they will start to associate chewing on toys with rewards, reinforcing the habit.
5. Create a Dog-Proof Environment
If your dog is chewing on valuable or dangerous items, consider making your home environment more dog-friendly. This can help prevent unwanted chewing and keep both your dog and your belongings safe.
Tips for Dog-Proofing Your Home:
- Remove tempting objects: Keep shoes, electrical cords, and other valuables out of your dog’s reach. If your dog is particularly prone to chewing, consider limiting access to certain rooms or areas of the house.
- Use crates or gates: When you’re not home to supervise your dog, consider using a crate or baby gates to limit their access to furniture or objects they’re likely to chew on.
Creating a safe environment reduces the opportunities for your dog to chew on inappropriate items and helps you maintain a more organized space.
Conclusion
Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, but when it becomes excessive or destructive, it can cause frustration and damage to your home. By understanding why your dog chews, providing appropriate chew toys, increasing physical and mental stimulation, using deterrents, and redirecting the behavior, you can effectively prevent your dog from chewing on furniture and objects. Remember to be patient and consistent with your training, as it takes time for your dog to learn what’s acceptable. With these strategies in place, you can enjoy a well-behaved dog and a home free from chewed-up belongings.