Why Do Dogs Chew?
Chewing is one of the most natural behaviours in a dog's repertoire. It serves multiple functions: it relieves teething discomfort in puppies, provides mental stimulation, releases endorphins, and helps maintain dental health. Understanding that chewing is normal and necessary — not naughty — is the first step towards addressing it constructively.
The problem arises when chewing is directed at inappropriate targets: furniture legs, shoes, electrical cables, books, or skirting boards. Destructive chewing is almost always a symptom of an underlying need that is not being met — whether that is insufficient exercise, a lack of appropriate chew outlets, boredom, anxiety, or the natural developmental stage of teething.
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) and the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) both emphasise that punishing a dog for chewing after the fact is ineffective and potentially harmful. Dogs live in the moment; if you come home to find a chewed chair leg, your dog has no way of connecting your anger with something they did hours ago. Management and redirection are always more effective than punishment.
Normal vs Destructive Chewing
It is worth distinguishing between types of chewing so that you can respond appropriately.
- Normal chewing: directed at appropriate items (chew toys, bones, puzzle feeders), occurring at predictable times (after meals, when settling down), and not escalating in frequency or intensity.
- Teething chewing: occurs in puppies between three and seven months of age, is often directed at hard or textured surfaces, and is driven by the discomfort of adult teeth coming through.
- Anxiety-driven chewing: often occurs when the dog is left alone, concentrated near exits or the owner's belongings, and may be accompanied by other signs of distress. This may indicate separation anxiety and warrants a separate behavioural assessment.
- Boredom or under-stimulation chewing: occurs when a dog has insufficient mental or physical enrichment. Often more opportunistic — whatever is available gets chewed.
Teething in Puppies: What to Expect
Puppies go through two teething phases. The first occurs at three to six weeks of age when milk teeth emerge — you are unlikely to see this phase unless you are a breeder. The second, more significant phase happens between three and seven months of age when the 42 adult teeth replace the 28 milk teeth. During this phase, puppies experience genuine oral discomfort and an almost irresistible urge to chew on anything and everything.
This is a developmental phase that will pass, but good management during this period prevents the establishment of destructive chewing habits that can persist into adulthood.
- Provide a variety of chew textures — rubber, rope, and softer materials — as different teeth and gum areas respond differently to textures.
- Frozen chew toys or frozen wet food stuffed in a Kong can soothe inflamed gums.
- Supervise your puppy closely during teething and redirect immediately to appropriate items when they begin chewing something they should not.
- Accept that some chewing incidents will happen and focus on prevention and redirection rather than punishment.
Management: Your First Line of Defence
Management means structuring your dog's environment so that opportunities for inappropriate chewing are minimised. This is not a training solution — it does not teach your dog what to chew — but it prevents the rehearsal of unwanted behaviour while training takes effect, and it protects your belongings in the interim.
- Baby gates and stair gates: confine your dog to areas of the home that are "dog-proofed" when you cannot actively supervise them.
- Crates: a crate used positively — introduced gradually with plenty of positive associations — can provide a safe space for your dog where they cannot access household items. The crate should never be used as punishment, and your dog should not be confined for excessive periods.
- Tidy up: remove temptation where possible. Shoes in cupboards, cables behind furniture or in cable management conduits, and children's toys out of reach are all simple measures.
- Bitter apple spray: applied to furniture legs and other targets, bitter-tasting sprays can deter chewing in some dogs. Results vary — some dogs are unbothered by the taste — but it is a useful management tool for many owners.
Enrichment: Meeting the Need to Chew
The most sustainable long-term solution for destructive chewing is not preventing your dog from chewing — it is ensuring they have abundant, appropriate chewing opportunities. A dog whose chewing needs are met with suitable outlets has little reason to resort to your furniture.
Zooplus offers an impressive range of chew toys, enrichment products, and dental chews suitable for dogs of all sizes and chewing intensities. From durable rubber chews for aggressive chewers to softer options for puppies and seniors, having a rotating selection keeps things interesting for your dog.
- Stuffed Kongs: fill a Kong with wet food, kibble, peanut butter (xylitol-free), or a mixture and freeze overnight. This provides extended mental engagement and satisfies the urge to chew.
- Dental chews: many dental chew products are designed to support oral health while satisfying the chewing instinct. Always choose products appropriate for your dog's size.
- Natural chews: yak chews, bully sticks, and deer antlers are popular long-lasting options. Supervise your dog with any natural chew and discard pieces small enough to swallow whole.
- Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats: mental stimulation reduces overall arousal and boredom, indirectly decreasing destructive behaviour.
- Rotate toys: dogs habituate to the same items. Rotating a selection of five to ten toys, reintroducing each after a few days' absence, keeps them novel and appealing.
Redirection: Teaching Your Dog What to Chew
Redirection is the positive reinforcement approach to in-the-moment chewing. When you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate, calmly and without drama interrupt them — a gentle "uh-uh" or clapping your hands is sufficient — and immediately offer an appropriate chew toy. When they take the toy and begin chewing it, praise warmly.
- Never shout, smack, or physically remove the item aggressively — this can increase arousal and anxiety, making chewing worse.
- Timing matters: redirection only works when you catch your dog in the act. Coming home to evidence of chewing that occurred hours ago offers no teaching opportunity.
- Make the appropriate item more interesting than the forbidden one. Holding the toy, moving it enticingly, and praising your dog as they engage with it builds positive associations.
- If your dog consistently returns to the same forbidden item, apply management (gates, crates, bitter spray) while you work on building their preference for appropriate chews.
When Chewing Is a Sign of Something Deeper
If destructive chewing is persistent, severe, or concentrated around your dog's absence, it may be a sign of separation anxiety or generalised anxiety rather than a simple management issue. In these cases, address the emotional root cause first — no amount of enrichment or management will fully resolve anxiety-driven behaviour without tackling the anxiety itself.
Seek help from a behaviourist accredited by the APBC or PPG if you suspect an underlying emotional issue. These professionals are trained to distinguish between management problems and clinical behaviour conditions, and can guide you through an appropriate treatment plan that prioritises your dog's welfare.
With the right combination of management, enrichment, and patient redirection, even the most enthusiastic chewer can learn to focus their perfectly natural instincts on the right targets — leaving your furniture, cables, and belongings intact.