Puppy Chewing Crisis? 9 Expert Tactics To Try Now!

Do you have a new puppy that just won't stop chewing everything in sight? Whether it's your shoes, furniture, or even your favorite book, having a puppy who is constantly chewing can be frustrating and even costly. But don't worry, you're not alone in this struggle! In this blog post, we'll share our top 9 tips to help stop your puppy from chewing (everything and anything, all the type) to save your belongings (and stop you going out of your mind!).

1. Provide Plenty of Chew Toys

Puppies need to chew, it's a natural behavior for them. Providing your puppy with plenty of appropriate chew toys will help satisfy their urge to chew and redirect their attention away from your belongings. Make sure to choose toys that are durable and safe for your puppy to chew on, such as KONG toys, which are designed to be stuffed with treats to keep your puppy occupied for longer.

2. Puppy-Proof your Home

Before bringing your new puppy home, make sure to puppy-proof your home. This means removing any items that could be potentially dangerous or that you don't want your puppy to chew on. Keep your shoes, clothes, and other personal items out of reach, and secure any loose wires or cables. Use baby gates to block off areas of your home that you don't want your puppy to access.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful training technique that rewards good behavior. When your puppy chews on a toy instead of your belongings, praise them and give them a treat. This will help them learn that chewing on appropriate items is a good thing and will encourage them to continue this behavior.

4. Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to training your puppy. Make sure everyone in your household is on board with the same rules and routines. If one person allows the puppy to chew on their shoes, while another person scolds them for it, this will only confuse your puppy and make training more difficult.

5. Exercise your Puppy

Puppies have a lot of energy and need plenty of exercise to help burn it off. Take your puppy for regular walks and play games with them to help tire them out. A tired puppy is less likely to engage in destructive behavior, such as chewing.

6. Provide Plenty of Attention

Puppies crave attention and affection. Make sure to spend plenty of time with your puppy, playing with them, and giving them affection. A happy and content puppy is less likely to engage in destructive behavior.

7. Use Taste Deterrents

If your puppy continues to chew on inappropriate items, you may want to consider using taste deterrents. These are sprays that are designed to taste unpleasant to your puppy and discourage them from chewing. However, it's important to use these products carefully and according to the instructions, as some can be harmful to your puppy.

8. Crate Train your Puppy

Crate training can be an effective way to prevent your puppy from chewing when you're not able to supervise them. A crate provides a safe and secure space for your puppy and can help prevent destructive behavior. However, it's important to ensure that your puppy has plenty of time outside of their crate to exercise and socialize.

9. Seek Professional Help

If your puppy continues to chew despite your best efforts, it may be time to seek professional help. A professional dog trainer can help you identify the root cause of your puppy's chewing behavior and provide you with a customized training plan to help address it.

The BestPetDaily Wrap

Stopping your puppy from chewing everything in sight can be challenging, but with patience, consistency, and the right training techniques, it is possible. By providing your puppy with plenty of chew toys, puppy-proofing your home, using positive reinforcement, being consistent, exercising and giving attention, using taste deterrents, crate training, and seeking professional help if needed, you can help your puppy learn appropriate behavior and save your belongings from destruction. Remember, puppies are still learning and exploring their world, so it's important to have patience and understanding as you train them.

Bonus Tip: Don't Punish Your Puppy for Chewing

I almost forgot to mention… it’s so important to not punish your puppy for chewing on inappropriate items. It might our natural reaction to seeing our best, new shoes in tatters! But it’s not an effective training technique.

So, take a deep breath. Hold that emotion in. Drink a glass of water. Then deal with it.

Punishment can cause fear, anxiety, and even aggression in your puppy, which can make training more difficult. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and redirecting your puppy's attention to appropriate chew toys.

It can be a big challenge. But the right training techniques, patience and consistency will reward you!