Your Dog Like Chewing? 6 Ways to Break the Habit

Does your dog like to chew on your shoes or any they can get in their mouth? Here are 5 things that can help break their habit of chewing.

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My Dog Chews Up His Bed

I will say my dog Jake does a pretty good job when it comes to chewing. When he was a pup I said no to my slippers, shoes, and socks and I was lucky because that was all it took. Now I also provided him with a lot of chew toys and still do and would immediately offer one up and he was good rather quickly.

He did chew on the corner of some molding in the house but I said no firmly and he never did it again.

The one thing I cannot get him to stop chewing is his bed. I want to get him a nicer one but until I can get him to stop chewing the one he's got I'm not going to spend the money. I'm fine sewing the bed back up with a little less foam in it each time until we can break the habit.

6 Ways To Stop Dog From Chewing

1. Make Sure Your Dog Doesn't Have a Medical Problem

Make sure your dog doesn't have any nutritional deficiencies caused by a poor diet or if the animal has an intestinal issue that can lead to inappropriate chewing. Get the dog or puppy to the veterinarian so that can be ruled out.

2. Keep Shoes, Clothing, and Things You Don't Want a Dog to Chew Put Away

When my dog Jake was a pup, I just never left anything around for him to chew on except for his chew toys and that helped a lot. You can't just leave things around the floor and expect a puppy to not chew it, you are kidding yourself. Put shoes in a closet, and don't leave clothes on the floor. Keep things out of their reach that you don't want them to chew.

3. Encourage Appropriate Chewing

Find chew toys they like and continue to offer those. Not every chew toy works for every dog. There are lots of options out there and always say no if they chew something you don't want them to then offer a chew toy they like.  If you are not going to be around, make sure they have access to their favorite chew toys it will save your shoes.

4. Play With Your Dog

Take the time to play and exercise with your dog. A tired dog is less likely to chew things up plus the time you two spend bonding will help build that relationship between the two and make it easier to deter the dog from chewing things you don't want them tearing up.

5. Spray Dog Deterrent

Companies do make dog deterrent sprays. You can spray items you don't want the dog to chew and that can help. You can also make your own spray but make sure the smell doesn't bother you. Dogs absolutely hate the smell of apple cider vinegar and you can dilute that with water to spray on items you don't them to chew but obviously, this may not be the best choice for a couch pillow.

6. How To Stop Dog From Chewing Bed

Are you tired of buying new beds for your dog to chew up? Depending on how much you want to spend, there are chew-proof dog beds out there.

You can also use a spray deterrent but leaving one of their favorite toys to chew or multiple chew toys in their bedding area may do the trick.

Leave the TV on while you're gone to give them something to distract them when they have idle time. You also try leaving on some music but make sure it is a soothing type, metal may not work.