6 best ways to teach dogs how to stop chewing

Dogs have been man’s best friend for many years and they are a great addition to any family. Sometimes, though, we all get frustrated with our furry friends when they chew on things that they shouldn’t be chewing on. Chewing is actually one of the most common behavioral issues that dog owners ask about! In this blog post, we will discuss 6 steps you can take to teach your dog to stop chewing so you can live in harmony with them again!

Give your dog a variety of chew toys

Giving your dog a variety of textured materials is the first step to stop a chewing issue. Provide different shapes and sizes of bones, blankets, tug toys like KONGS or red rubber chew toys with leather soft parts. To teach your dog to stop chewing, focus on the one texture that they gravitate to. This will make it a lot easier for you, since you’ll be purchasing the type of material that your pup likes to chew on, and spending less on toys that they don’t like.

Redirect your dog to appropriate chew toys

Redirect to something that is appropriate and similar to the texture that they are currently chewing on. For example, is the dog is chewing on a leather shoe? Find something that is of the same give and same texture, and make it come alive. In other words, make it more interesting than the shoe that they’re chewing on. If they’re chewing on a slipper, give them a toy that’s woolly, and make it come alive. Make that more exciting, and interact with your dog with it.

This will take consistent practice, as your dog will initially continue to go back to the other object. It’s up to you to continuously redirect them to the appropriate chew toy.

The key with redirecting is that you have to keep engaging with your dog, and be more exciting than the object that they’re currently chewing on. The other part of it is make sure that the chew toy has a similar give, texture, and feel. That way the dog wants to keep chewing on it. They’re already showing that they want to chew on it, so give them something of equal or similar value.

Praise and reward your dog when they choose to chew on appropriate items

When redirecting your dog, don’t only focus on correcting them. Throughout the day, our dogs give us many opportunities to reward them. How is your dog supposed to know what they should chew on if we’re not giving them positive feedback? If, for example, you see your dog make the decision to go and find a bone and chew on the bone, reward them! Giving them treats and rewarding them (because that’s the behavior you want to see) will encourage that behavior to more likely to occur in the future.

Also, when you see your dog chewing on something they’re not supposed to: don’t yell at them. When dogs are in the act of doing a behavior that is wrong (like chewing on the furniture), it can be hard for us as humans because we have these strong emotional responses and want to show our disapproval; but yelling will make things worse. If it’s something that we can put out of the dog’s reach (like toilet paper), do so. If it’s a furniture leg, tether or crate the dog in the house so that they can’t reach that item, and give them something appropriate to chew on.

Our favorite doggy chew toys

Here at Dogology, we are all about KONGS. KONGS come in different colors, and the colors are actually the give or the chew strength. Red KONGS are normal, black KONGS are extra strength and extra hard for power chewers, and light blue or light pink are for puppies, so they have the most give. We like to take the dog’s kibble, stuffing it in the KONG, wetting it down with water, beef broth, or chicken broth, freezing it, and then feeding our dogs using KONGS instead of a bowl.

This has been a godsend for us, and it has been the most productive way for us to redirect chewing behaviors. It mentally stimulates the dog, and rewards them for chewing on the KONG.

Mentally exhaust your dog

Another very effective way to stop your dog from chewing on things that they’re not supposed to is mentally exhaust them. Training sessions, brain puzzles, scent work, obedience — all of this will work their brain! A dog that is mentally exhausted will be less likely to chew. Mental exhaustion can take a few weeks of work, but it’s worth the effort in order to make sure that your dog is more fulfilled (and less bored and likely to chew)!

Mental exhaustion is different from walking four miles, rucksacking for 10 miles, running up hills and tiring them out physically. The more you do physical activities, the more your dog’s strength and endurance will build up, and the more you’ll have to work them to tire them out. Let’s say you walk a mile with your dog. Over time, you’re going to need two miles to get the same feeling for them as a mile does currently. This means that you’ll need to work your dog more, and it’s not as effective as mentally exhausting them.

Teach your dog to “drop it”

Teaching your dog to o drop the undesirable item (and then rewarding them with the appropriate item to chew) is going to be the most effective and beneficial behavior you can actually teach your dog.

Start by offering your dog a low-value toy. This should be something that they’re interested in, but not something that they go nuts for. Let them play with the toy for a bit, then offer them a treat that they REALLY like, such as rotisserie chicken. If you chose a toy that’s low enough in value, and a treat that’s high enough in value, your dog should willingly drop the toy in exchange for the treat.

As soon as your dog drops the toy, mark the behavior with a clicker or your marker word, then give them the yummy treat. While your dog is eating their reward, pick up the toy and hide it behind your back. Once your dog is finished eating, give them the toy again and repeat the process.

When you know your dog will drop the item as soon as you show them the treat, say something like “drop it” for example; or tell them to trade with you. After doing this several times, give your dog the out command without showing them the treats. If they drop the toy, mark and reward, and jackpot them with a handful of treats!! This will show your pup how awesome it is to play this game. If your dog doesn’t drop the item without seeing the treats, go back to showing them the treats right after giving them the command to drop the toy.

Stop Your Dog from Chewing for Good

Teaching your dog to stop chewing starts with understanding their needs and providing appropriate outlets. By offering a variety of chew toys, redirecting them to better options, praising good behavior, mentally stimulating them, and teaching the “drop it” command, you can effectively guide your dog toward better habits while strengthening your bond.

Struggling with chewing or other behavioral challenges? At Dogology University, we’re here to help! Whether you’re looking for personalized training tips or professional guidance, our team is ready to support you and your dog.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our training programs. Together, we can create a happier, more harmonious home for you and your furry friend!