How to Stop Puppies Chewing

If you’ve ever had to train or take care of a new puppy, you might already know that a common problem is puppies chewing. This can vary in severity according to the breed but chewing is a common problem in many young dogs that can actually be prevented and corrected in most cases.

Puppies chewing can cause a great deal of destruction so it’s important to stop them. They can tear up furniture, scratch holes and grooves in flooring or wooden doors, chew through prized possessions and clothing and much more.

The damage causes a physical problem but it can also damage the relationship with you and your dog as well as anyone else who comes in contact with the puppy.

Chewing in puppies is a completely normal behavior but when it happens in inappropriate places, it becomes a real problem for everyone involved. Young puppies often don’t know any better because they have not been taught when and where it is ok to chew.

You need to understand why your puppy is chewing so you can take the proper steps to treat it. Puppies use their teeth and mouths to eat, to explore their environment and even to relieve stress or boredom. Any of these things can make your puppy chew.

Puppies will also chew more than usual when they are getting their permanent teeth. This is kind of like when babies are teething and it helps them to chew on a teething ring. It is important during this time that you give your puppy something safe and appropriate to chew on to help relieve their pain and discomfort.

You can teach your puppy the right place to chew to help relieve the problems that come from this. Safe, approved chew toys can help with this problem. You also want to be sure your puppy is getting enough play time every day and that you take the proper steps to prevent boredom which can lead to chewing.

If your puppy chewing comes from stress, fear or anxiety, you need to discover the source of this and correct the problem. When your puppy feels secure once again, the destructive chewing will stop.

There are some rare cases where your puppy can be chewing because of a medical condition. This is when it would be suggested to have your vet look over the puppy to check that everything is normal and healthy. You need to first rule out any heath causes that could contribute to it.

You can also help prevent puppy chewing problems when you first buy or adopt your new puppy. Look for breeds that are less likely to chew if you fear it will be a problem. You also want to pick a puppy that will meet your lifestyle and personality. This is best for you and the puppy and since destructive behavior like chewing often comes as a result of stress or boredom, choosing the right puppy for you can help prevent this.