General solutions
When you discover your dog chewing something inappropriate, offer a favorite chew toy or dog treat as an alternative. (We recommend our Nature Gnaws large bully sticks or braided bully sticks for this purpose). An edible dog chew, whether it’s a bully stick, a pig ear, or a natural bone, typically works better than a toy, simply because your dog will understand that it’s both for chewing and for eating.
Ensure your dog has several toys and chews available at all times. Instead of offering several new toys at once, offer them every two or three days. Rotating your dog’s toys also helps retain novelty and therefore your dog’s interest.
Dog-proof your house! Make certain anything valuable is stored securely. Keep dirty laundry in a hamper your dog can’t access.
If there’s an object your dog chews that you can’t move or otherwise make inaccessible, use a spray-on chewing deterrent. Expect your dog to drool excessively or even gag after tasting a deterrent. Spray the deterrent on all objects you want your dog to avoid daily, for 2-4 weeks.
Make certain your dog has ample exercise, whether it’s long walks with you, or romps in the dog park with other pets. This is especially important before you leave your dog alone for a long period (before you go to work for the day, for instance).
Teething PuppiesJust like baby humans, teething puppies chew to relieve the pain of adult teeth pushing through their gums. They need to chew. Most puppies fall in love with Nature Gnaws bully springs — the curly shape gives them lots of options to find the perfect angle that relieves the discomfort of teething.
Additionally, some trainers give teething puppies ice cubes, special freezable toys, or wet frozen washcloths to gnaw on. Cold helps ease pain in the gums. (We don’t recommend the frozen washcloth thing — a friend of ours did this and her dog grew up with a serious addiction to washcloths, towels, terry-cloth robes…) Teething puppies need to chew. Be sure to offer them an appropriate toy or chew.
Boredom
Just like us, dogs get bored — especially if you have a high-energy or high-intelligence breed (think Jack Russel terriers, basenjis, herding dogs). The best ways to relieve boredom are to offer lots of exercise and novel activities. Specific suggestions:
- Daily walks and outings (off-leash if possible, so your dog has more opportunity to explore the environment)
- Feeding meals or treats in puzzle-type toys
- A long-lasting edible chew (a bully stick of appropriate size for your dog is a great choice)
- Playing with other dogs
- Fetch games
- All types of training (the ASPCA recommends agility, flyball, and freestyle training specifically)
Stress and FrustrationMany dogs express frustration and displace stress by chewing. If your dog displays these behaviors, the best solution is simply to pay attention to the situations that cause stress. Avoid them as much as possible. When they’re unavoidable, bring along a favorite chew toy or dog chew and gently redirect your pet’s attention to the chew instead. We received this email from Elizabeth T. of Fort Lauderdale, who successfully trained her dog to avoid stress: