If you are struggling with your puppy chewing up shoes, carpets and everything in between, you’re not alone! Follow some of these proven tips to help you redirect this natural behavior at home!
@chloe.thegoldy
Chewy puppies can be one of the biggest challenges that new owners face. At The Puppy Academy, we deal with this behavior a lot, more so, because it is a common and normal characteristic for all puppies! So know that you are not alone in dealing with this behavior - every puppy owner goes through it at one point! There are a lot of factors around puppy chewing you can learn so you can understand. From teething to behavior related, here are the different things you need to do to prevent your puppy from chewing on things they shouldn’t be!
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Why Do Puppies Chew?
Take a moment to understand why puppies chew in the first place. Age is a big factor. Puppies begin to teeth at about 2 weeks of age and will continue to until 6-months of age. During that time, it’s their instinctual drive to find a way to relieve the pain on their gums. Chewing on things like leather and wood are the most common targets as these materials feel good for puppies. Another thing to note is that sometimes puppies will go after items that smell just like their owner (i.e. shoes!) because it comforts them if they are feeling anxious from the pressure on their gums.
But there are other factors aside from teething that cause puppies to chew. Consistent chewers also exhibit this behavior due to boredom, separation anxiety, or excessive energy! All of these issues can be dealt with at home by redirecting this troublesome behavior through the use of chew toys, stimulation, crate training, and play.
“Chewing, specifically teething, is a completely normal part of growing up! Make this phase of their lives easy on yourself by limiting their roaming areas, giving them toys they’re allowed to chew on, and keeping any items you don’t want out of reach!”
After taking all these factors into account, the most important thing to take away is that puppy chewing is totally normal! And it is one of the ways that puppies explore their world around them and learn. The key is learning the right tools and techniques to manage this behavior. An experienced puppy trainer can help teach you how to correct a misguided chewy puppy by showing a puppy what they can and can’t chew on. Let’s dive into some methods that you can use at home!
How To Stop Your Puppy From Chewing!
@nicolettejennings
When it comes to teething, it’s a natural process every puppy goes through that starts at about 2 weeks of age and can last through 6-months of age. A puppy will chew during this time to relieve the gum pain on items they find soothing. Unfortunately many times, that could be shoes or the leg of your coffee table! In this case, here's what you can do to prevent your puppy from chewing up the house:
Chew Toys: When you get a new puppy that is about 2-months old (8-weeks-old is usually the minimum age all puppies can go to their forever homes) they will be right in their teething phase. Be prepared! Supply your new puppy with the chew toys they need to help them soothe the discomfort that comes along with teething but also that encourage proper chewing habits by providing them a good option for them to chew on, rather than having them finding something for themselves. Some puppies prefer chew toys with small bumps or ridges to help scratch the pesky teething itch! In the beginning, try out different types of chew toys and see which ones your puppy will gravitate towards! Many of these teething toys can be frozen for extra soothing effects for your puppy’s gums. Make sure to buy size-appropriate chew toys for your puppy and to always supervise them while playing to ensure they don’t bite off large pieces that may be dangerous for them to ingest.
Puppy Proofing: Just like human babies, puppies can get into all sorts of things they are not supposed to. If you are bringing a new puppy into your home, take some time to go through and make sure things like electric cords are covered, trash and cleaning items are stowed away, their play area is clear and open for them, and of course, any personal items you don’t want to get ruined are put away. So much of preventing chewing comes down to proper preparation on the owner’s side.
“When you find your pup chewing on something they shouldn’t, call them to you and give them something they can have instead! So you give them a command and then redirect teething.”
Separation anxiety is also something that can cause chewing behavior. Puppies often don’t like being left alone; it’s something that they need to learn is okay. We as the owners can help to encourage this process while helping manage chewing by introducing a training tool like a crate!
Crate Training: Independence and confidence are two things we work on building at The Puppy Academy through crate training. Adding a crate to your home has many benefits such as providing a safe place for your puppy and helps to accelerate potty training. Additionally, crates can help stop destructive chewing around the house when you aren’t around to supervise your puppy!
If you would like to learn more about crate training your puppy, check out The Puppyhood Made Easy Blog post “Why and How to Crate Train Your Puppy!”
Chances are that your puppy is also experiencing what most human babies and children experience: they’re bored! Dedicating a little one-on-one time can make a world of difference. This is the right time to build a bond with your pup, and puppy training and playing is a huge part of the relationship. Encourage them by giving them the right toys and praising them when they play with their toys, and begin teaching some basic commands! It’s never too early to start puppy training. Try to introduce activities (in moderation, and once your puppy has received their vaccinations from your vet) like morning walks, going out to socialize and puppy training classes to keep your puppy stimulated!
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Don’t Punish Your Puppy for Chewing
@ember_cocker
If your puppy chewed up your favorite pair of shoes, they chewed them up! The reality is, as the owner it’s up to you to take full responsibility for the situation. If you do not want your puppy destroying certain belongings, don’t leave them where your puppy can get to them! Remember: prevention is key!
Along with this, take the time that your puppy needs to help curve this behavior with the proper tools as we mentioned before. It does take a little time, preparation, and dedication but so does becoming a new puppy owner! By giving your puppy the right type of boundaries, they will learn and become great members of the family!
“Always remember to pull your emotions out of the situation. Puppies chew because that is one of their instinctual needs. Rather than getting angry, use the opportunity to redirect with a tasty chew toy.”
It’s All Part of Puppyhood!
We believe in puppyhood made easy for new owners! We hope that with these insights and tactics, you find puppy chewing one less thing to worry over and feel confident tackling this behavior! If you are having trouble correcting puppy chewing, it’s okay! Consult a puppy trainer to understand what your puppy needs and have a professional give you different strategies to work on with your puppy. Good luck!
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