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Writer's pictureUrban Dogsit

4 Reasons Why Dogs Chew Everything – And How To Fix It

Updated: Apr 29, 2021

Have you ever come home to find your favorite shoes "reshaped" or a collage of trash all over your bathroom floor? It happens.



Dogs, especially puppies, are hardwired for chewing; it's fun, stimulates their brain, and promotes their oral health. While that's normal, we want to set boundaries (as early as possible) so they don't end up damaging other things we love. First things first, we need to understand what's triggering this behavior.


Here are some of the most common reasons they love to chew and how to correct them:



🐾 Boredom

The lack of entertainment can spark curiosity and send our furry ones into exploration mode. We want to make sure they have plenty of toys, physical and mental exercise during the day. Here's where a good dog walker comes in handy. Call us! 😉


🐾 Separation anxiety


Is the chewing behavior only when you're gone? That means that your dog could be experiencing some sort of separation anxiety. They miss you, and chewing objects is a way to help them channel that stress.


What do we do? Find something your dog loves (treats, toys, music) and create that routine to help them associate being alone with a reward, something positive. We like giving our dogs treats before leaving and after returning (if they haven't destroyed anything). Background noises like the TV or music can also help them feel less alone.


🐾 Hunger


As some of us find comfort chewing gum when we start a new diet, dogs find comfort chewing objects when they are hungry. If you notice the behavior change came after a change in food, they might be looking at your cushions as a giant sausage. An idea is to provide them with long-lasting treats that won't disrupt their diets but keep them happy (and busy).


🐾 Last but not least, teething


If your puppy is under 6 months, prepare yourself because their teeth might want to do a grand (very uncomfortable) entrance. Provide them with comfort before they go find a towel or a boot to chew. Try giving them frozen chew treats or toys to help soothe their gums and get distracted. You will thank us later.


Like every process, teaching your dog the house rules takes time, so keep an eye on them, correct them when it's happening and be patient.


What have you lost to your dog's teeth? Leave us a comment below.👇


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