How To Get Your Dog To Stop Chewing

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I love my dogs just as much as the next person, maybe even more, but when they chew on our things, it can be really hard to forgive and forget. My dog Toulouse, while she is the cutest, sweetest dog ever, she is also the WORST chewer I have ever had. I mean this dog chews EVERYTHING; rugs, carpet, bedding, cushions, tables, and most recently, my 4-day old couch.

Since the list of “things Toulouse destroys” keeps getting longer, I decided to turn to Facebook friends and good old Google for some help! Between the two, I was able to come up with 8 ways to “supposedly” stop your dog from chewing on things they shouldn’t.

8 WAYS TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM CHEWING ON THINGS THEY SHOULDN’T

Mind stimulation- This one is something I haven’t always heard, but has become more popular in recent years and the idea actually came from a Facebook friend. Amazon even has mind puzzles and games you can purchase for your furry friend, and I’ve linked one of those here. I have also seen people put a blanket down, throw treats, or even food, inside, and twist it up! This means the dog has to spend time unravelling the blanket to find those special surprises. I love this idea but I do fear Toulouse would just eat the blanket while trying to find her food, so not totally sold on that yet.
Frozen Beef Bones- Now this is another one from a Facebook friend, and I’m not so sure about this one. I’ve heard mixed reviews from Vets on the internet that bones are not actually the BEST thing to give your dog as they can cause other issues. With that being said, many people do it and their pets seem to be ok, so I’d talk to your own vet, see what they say, and go from there.
Kong Toys- Now this is a broad idea as there are many Kong Toys, but there does seem to be a favorite, linked here. This toy is popular because you can fill it with peanut butter, pumpkin, sweet potato or whatever else you have around your house that is dog-friendly. Not only are these things rather indestructible, but they keep your dog distracted, and that helps avoid destructive behavior altogether. I personally own this one, and my dogs DO love it, it does keep them busy for a while, so I can recommend this one with confidence. My assistant, Kelsey, actually uses a Kong bone for her dogs and she says they love it, so you may also want to give that a try if you’re looking for something different!
Bitter Yuck Spray (or any dog deterrent for that matter)- This is something Kelsey has used, and was also recommended by many Facebook friends. Kelsey actually used it on her dogs paw to stop her from biting, and while that isn’t the issue at-hand for me, if it works on their skin, one can assume it may work with furniture as well? Plus it has great reviews! You can shop the bitter apple spray here but you may also want to consider checking out this Pet Corrector spray. I think the main difference is the corrector spray means you need to catch them “in the act” so if that’s not your issue, you may check out the bitter apple! I personally catch Toulouse AFTER the fact the majority of the time, so the Bitter Yuck is more likely the solution for me!
A Ball– Now this kind of brings me back to the mind stimulation. They always say a tired dog is a good dog– now whether that be mentally exhausted or physically, I don’t think it matters. I found what seems to be a fairly sturdy ball that you can play fetch with, but also that your dog could easily chew on when bored, so it’s a win-win.
A Camera- Now the camera in and of itself is obviously not going to stop your dog from chewing, but if you catch them in the act, it’s game-on! This is something I am truly considering since many of the incidents occur when I am upstairs or in another room, and she is supposed to be minding her own business. She goes up when I leave so I don’t really need it for that purpose, but it won’t hurt either. Once again though, this means I have to actively watch the camera and catch her in the act, and I’m not so sure that’s realistic for me! Kelsey does use a camera for her dogs and loves it, so to each their own!
Keep them confined- This seems obvious, but don’t let them go anywhere they can destroy anything. Keep them in a play pen away from everything, simple as that. While I think this is likely very effective, I don’t feel it helps long-term, because they can’t be in a play pen their whole life. Do I think it’s a GREAT short-term solution for a rowdy puppy, though? YES!
Training- Ding, ding, ding– this is an obvious one, too! I’m sure, you and me both, have thought of training, but it’s not as cut and dry as it seems. Training classes and boarding are out of the question! That stuff is crazy-expensive these days and while I greatly respect what they do, it’s just not worth it to me. Now, there is a good training book that I’ve heard of, and that’s definitely an option– if you have the time. For those of us with little time and money, training can feel impossible, maybe even out of reach. But, something I personally forget and would like to remind you of, we often have more time than we think and if we spent 20 minutes a day reading that book and implementing our findings, we might have a better-behaved dog!

THE BOTTOM LINE

Some of these suggestions may feel obvious, but others are new to me, and hopefully to you, too! My favorites are the mind stimulation and the bitter yuck spray! Sometimes it feels like I don’t always have enough time to play with Toulouse, and she’s not getting that exercise she needs, mental or physical. A Dog Puzzle would give her the stimulation she needs and the peace of mind I need! Not only that, but the Bitter Yuck Spray seems easy peasy! Spray it on, and cross your fingers that your dog hates it! Maybe if I had this spray a few weeks ago, my brand new couch would still be alive!