Coming home to a chewed shoe, a shredded cushion, or a gnawed table leg is enough to test anyone’s patience. But before you despair, know this: chewing is completely normal dog behaviour, and destructive chewing is almost always a symptom of an unmet need rather than badness or spite. Once you work out why your dog is chewing, redirect them onto the right things, and manage the environment while you do, the problem shrinks fast. This guide covers every cause and every fix, so your belongings, and your dog, come out of it happy.
Why dogs chew (find the cause first)
Dogs chew for several different reasons, and the fix depends entirely on which one you are dealing with. Teething puppies chew to relieve sore gums. Boredom and too little exercise drive a huge amount of destructive chewing, as an under-stimulated dog finds its own entertainment. Stress and anxiety, especially separation anxiety, can trigger frantic chewing when a dog is left alone. And plain old exploration leads young dogs to taste-test the world. Work out which of these fits your dog, watch when and where the chewing happens, and you are halfway to solving it.
Give them the right things to chew
Chewing is a genuine need, so the goal is never to stop it entirely, only to redirect it onto appropriate outlets. Provide a good variety of safe chew toys and long-lasting chews, and keep them within easy reach. A brilliant trick is to rotate the toys every few days rather than leaving them all out, because a “new” toy holds far more appeal than a familiar one. When your dog chews the right thing, praise them warmly. You are teaching a simple rule: these things are for chewing, those things are not. Stuffed, frozen food toys are especially good, and our guide to the best puzzle feeders has plenty of options.
Tire the body and the brain
If boredom is behind the chewing, and it very often is, more exercise and mental stimulation will do more than any spray or telling-off. A well-exercised, mentally satisfied dog simply has far less pent-up energy to pour into destroying your sofa. Daily walks, play, and short training sessions all help, and mental work is the piece people forget. Our guide to mental stimulation games is full of quick ways to tire a busy brain, and it is genuinely the single biggest lever for a bored chewer.
Dog-proof your home and supervise
While you are training, set your dog up to succeed by removing temptation. Keep shoes, laundry, remote controls, and anything precious well out of reach, and use covers on furniture your dog targets. When you cannot actively watch them, confine your dog to a safe, dog-proofed space or their crate with a good chew to keep them busy. This is not giving up, it is preventing your dog from practising the habit while you build the right one. Supervise closely during waking hours until you are confident the chewing is under control, so you can catch and redirect in the moment.
Redirect in the moment
When you catch your dog chewing something they should not, do not shout. Calmly interrupt with a cheerful noise, then swap the forbidden item for an approved chew and praise them for taking it. Over time, this teaches your dog exactly what is fair game. The key is timing: this only works when you catch them in the act, because a dog cannot connect a telling-off to something they chewed an hour ago.
Bitter sprays for stubborn targets
For specific hotspots like skirting boards, table legs, or a favourite chair leg, a dog-safe bitter deterrent spray can help. It leaves an unpleasant taste that makes those surfaces far less appealing. Sprays work best as one part of the plan, alongside plenty of appropriate chews and exercise, rather than as a standalone fix, because they address the target but not the underlying need.
Puppies and teething
If you have a puppy, expect heavy chewing while their adult teeth come through, usually up to around six months. This is normal and needs an outlet, not a punishment. Offer teething relief like a frozen wet flannel, a chilled rubber chew, or a frozen stuffed toy, all of which soothe sore gums. Puppy chewing overlaps a lot with mouthing and biting, which we cover in how to stop a puppy biting. Stay patient, redirect consistently, and it passes.
When chewing is anxiety, not boredom
If the chewing happens mainly when your dog is left alone, and especially if it is focused on doors, windows, or exit points and comes with other signs of distress, you may be dealing with separation anxiety rather than boredom. In that case, more toys alone will not fix it, and you need to address the underlying fear of being alone. Our guide on separation anxiety walks through the gentle desensitisation process, and for serious cases a qualified behaviourist is well worth it.
What not to do
- Do not punish after the fact. Your dog cannot link a telling-off to earlier chewing, and punishment increases anxiety, which often makes chewing worse.
- Do not physically punish or scold harshly. It damages trust and rarely stops the behaviour, because it does nothing about the cause.
- Do not just remove all chew outlets. Chewing is a need. Take away the right things and your dog will find the wrong ones.
- Do not assume it is spite. Dogs do not chew to get back at you. They chew because a need is unmet.
When to see a vet
Occasionally, excessive chewing or eating of non-food items (a condition called pica) can have a medical or nutritional cause, or signal a compulsive disorder. If your dog is eating things they should not, if the chewing is sudden and out of character, or if nothing you try makes a difference, check in with your vet to rule out an underlying problem. It is a simple step that can save a lot of frustration.
How long does it take?
With the right outlets, more exercise, and consistent management, many owners see a big improvement in destructive chewing within a couple of weeks. Puppy teething chewing eases as the adult teeth settle in, generally by around six months. Anxiety-driven chewing takes longer because you are treating an emotional state, not just a habit. Whatever the cause, consistency and meeting your dog’s needs are what get you there, not deterrents alone.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my dog suddenly chewing everything?
Sudden chewing usually points to a change: boredom, stress, a new routine, or teething in a young dog. If it is truly out of character or your dog is eating non-food items, see your vet to rule out a medical cause.
How do I stop my dog chewing furniture when I’m not home?
Confine your dog to a dog-proofed space or crate with a long-lasting chew, exercise them well beforehand, and use bitter spray on targets. If it only happens when you are out and comes with distress, treat it as possible separation anxiety.
Do bitter sprays actually stop dogs chewing?
They help on specific targets by making surfaces taste unpleasant, but they are not a complete fix on their own. Combine them with appropriate chews, exercise, and management for lasting results.
Is it normal for puppies to chew everything?
Yes. Puppies chew to explore and to relieve teething, usually heaviest up to around six months. Provide safe chews and teething relief, redirect consistently, and it passes.
Should I punish my dog for chewing?
No. Punishment, especially after the fact, does not address the cause and can increase anxiety and chewing. Redirect to appropriate chews and meet your dog’s exercise and enrichment needs instead.
The bottom line
Destructive chewing is a solvable problem once you stop treating the symptom and start meeting the need. Find the cause, give your dog plenty of appropriate things to chew, tire their body and brain, dog-proof and supervise while you train, and redirect calmly in the moment. Skip the punishment, use bitter spray on stubborn spots, and treat anxiety-driven chewing at its root. Do that and your belongings, and your dog, will be much happier. Next, drain that chewing energy with our brain games, and if it strikes when you leave, read our separation anxiety guide.
Sources and further reading: ASPCA, Chewy, and Whole Dog Journal.
