A chewed shoe, a gnawed table leg or a shredded couch cushion can make any owner want to give up. But chewing itself is not the problem. Chewing is a normal, healthy dog behavior: it keeps jaws busy, relieves boredom and, for puppies, helps with teething. The real goal is to teach your dog what to chew, and to make sure their needs are met so they are not looking for trouble.
This guide covers the main reasons dogs chew, how to dog proof your home, how to choose safer chews, how to teach a trade without a chase, and a simple 7 day reset plan. It also explains which kinds of chewing are a reason to call your veterinarian instead of just training harder.
Why dogs chew
- Teething. Puppies have 28 baby teeth that are replaced by 42 adult teeth, usually between about 3 and 7 months of age. Their mouths are busy and sometimes sore during that stage.
- Exploring. Young dogs learn about the world with their mouths, the way toddlers use their hands.
- Boredom and unused energy. A dog with too little exercise or mental work will often invent a hobby, and your furniture is right there.
- Attention. If grabbing a sock always starts an exciting chase, your dog will grab socks.
- Stress when left alone. Some dogs chew mostly at doors, windows or crates when they are by themselves. That pattern can point to distress about being alone, which needs a different approach (see below).
- Hunger or a health issue. Dogs on a strict diet may raid trash and chew food packaging, and a dog who eats non food items such as rocks or fabric may have a medical issue your vet should check.
Find the pattern first
For three or four days, jot down what got chewed, when, and what was happening just before. A quick log usually points to the cause.
| When it happens | Likely cause | Best first step |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy chews anything at floor level, any time | Teething and exploring | Dog proofing, lots of chew options, supervision |
| Evenings or rainy days, after a quiet day | Boredom, unused energy | More sniff walks, brain games and scheduled chew time |
| Right when you are busy or on the phone | Attention seeking | Give a chew before you get busy, and do not chase |
| Only when left alone, near doors or windows, with drooling, howling or panting | Possible distress about being alone | Talk to your vet and a certified trainer |
| Sudden new chewing in an adult dog | Possible pain, mouth problem or other health change | Vet check first |
Step 1: Dog proof your home
Training takes weeks. Shoes left on the floor can be chewed in minutes. While you work on the habit, make the wrong choices hard to reach:
- Put shoes, socks, kids' toys, remote controls and charging cables away or up high.
- Keep the trash in a cabinet or use a can with a locking lid.
- Use baby gates to close off rooms you cannot watch.
- Cover or move electrical cords. A chewed live cord can cause a serious injury.
- For furniture legs and baseboards you cannot move, try a pet safe bitter taste spray. Test it on a hidden spot first, and know that some dogs do not mind the taste, so it works best together with the steps below.
Step 2: Offer the right chews, and rotate them
A dog who has something great to chew is much less likely to go looking for your shoes. Keep two or three different chews out at a time and swap them every few days so they stay interesting. Mix textures: something soft, something firm, and something that holds food.
| Type | Good for | Cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Stuffable rubber toys (filled with wet food or kibble, frozen for longer chews) | Most dogs, teething puppies, alone time | Choose a size your dog cannot fit entirely in the mouth |
| Firm rubber chew toys | Strong chewers | Replace when pieces start breaking off |
| Rope and tug toys | Play with you | Supervise; swallowed threads can cause problems |
| Edible chews made for dogs | Calm chew time | Supervise, match the size to your dog, take away small ends that could be swallowed whole |
| Very hard items (some antlers, hooves, very hard nylon) | Not recommended for many dogs | Many vets warn these can crack teeth |
| Cooked bones | Avoid | They can splinter; the FDA has warned about bone treats causing injuries |
Step 3: Teach "trade" instead of chasing
Chasing a dog who has your sock turns chewing into the best game in the house. Teach a trade instead:
- Give your dog a toy they like but do not love. Hold a very tasty treat right at their nose.
- As soon as they open their mouth to take the treat, say "Trade" and pick up the toy with your other hand.
- Give the toy back right away. Your dog learns that giving things up is not the end of the fun.
- Repeat five times a session, then practice with slightly more valuable items.
When your dog grabs something forbidden in real life, stay calm, walk away from them to the kitchen and make a happy noise with the treat jar. Most dogs drop the item to follow. If they ever have something dangerous, such as medication, a battery or a sharp object, trade for the best food you have, and call your vet if you think they swallowed any of it.
Step 4: Interrupt and redirect, every time
If you catch your dog chewing something off limits, interrupt with a cheerful "Hey, this way!" and hand them one of their chews instead. Praise them when they start chewing it. Do not scold, hit or rub their nose in a chewed item afterwards. Dogs do not connect a punishment with chewing that happened earlier, and it can make them nervous around you or teach them to chew when you are not looking.
Step 5: Meet the needs behind the chewing
- Exercise: a walk that fits your dog's age and breed, with time to sniff. Sniffing is tiring work for the brain.
- Mental work: 10 minutes of training or a puzzle game uses energy fast. Our guide to mental stimulation games for dogs has ten easy ideas with household items, and the short sessions in our dog training at home plan work well too.
- Scheduled chew time: give a chew at the times chewing usually goes wrong, such as after a walk, during your dinner or when you sit down to work.
- Rest: overtired puppies get mouthy and destructive. Build naps into the day, ideally in a crate or pen they already like, with a chew.
Step 6: Use a safe space when you cannot watch
When you cannot supervise, put your puppy or dog in a puppy pen, a gated kitchen or a crate they have learned to like, with water and a safe chew. This is not a punishment. It simply prevents mistakes while good habits form. Introduce any crate or pen slowly with treats and meals so your dog sees it as a good place, and do not leave a dog confined for longer than they can comfortably manage.
The 7 day reset plan
| Day | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dog proof and log | Clear the floors, gate off rooms, start the chewing log. |
| 2 | Chew station | Put out two or three different chews and fill one food toy. Note which your dog prefers. |
| 3 | Trade game | Two short sessions of the trade game with low value toys. |
| 4 | Schedule | Add chew time at your dog's high risk times from the log, plus a sniff walk. |
| 5 | Redirect | Practice interrupt and redirect. Leave one old slipper out while you supervise and reward your dog for choosing their own chew. |
| 6 | Brain games | Add 10 minutes of puzzle games, and freeze a stuffed food toy for alone time. |
| 7 | Review | Read the log. If chewing happens mostly when your dog is alone, or nothing has changed, plan a vet visit. |
Keep the routine going after day 7. Most dogs improve steadily over a few weeks once their needs are met and the house is dog proofed, and puppies usually chew less once their adult teeth are in, although many dogs enjoy chewing all their lives.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| My dog ignores chew toys | Make them more interesting: smear a little wet food on them, stuff them, rotate them, and play with them together. |
| My dog destroys toys in minutes | Choose tougher rubber toys made for strong chewers, supervise, and throw away pieces small enough to swallow. |
| My dog runs away with stolen items | Stop chasing. Practice the trade game daily and use the treat jar trick. |
| My dog growls when I take things | Do not grab. Trade instead, and contact a certified trainer, since guarding can escalate. |
| My dog chews the crate or door when alone | This can be distress, not boredom. Talk to your vet and a certified trainer. |
When to see your vet or a certified trainer
Call your veterinarian if your adult dog starts chewing out of the blue, chews or licks their own paws or skin a lot, eats non food items, seems to have mouth pain, or if you think your dog swallowed something such as a sock, a toy part, a bone or medication. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. If you think your dog ate something toxic, such as gum containing xylitol, call your vet, an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).
If chewing happens mainly when your dog is alone and comes with drooling, howling, pacing or escape attempts, ask your vet about a referral to a certified professional trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. Distress about being alone is common, but it needs a tailored plan, not just more chew toys. Guarding chewed items with growling or snapping is another reason to bring in a qualified professional who uses reward based methods.
Keep going
Chewing is often linked to puppy mouthing, so if you have a young dog, read our guide on how to stop puppy biting too. For short daily sessions that build calm habits, get our free 7-Day Calm Dog Plan. And if you want a longer, structured program of brain games and training exercises to keep a busy dog's mind working, many readers like this online dog training course.