How to Stop a Dog from Chewing Everything

Why Dogs Chew in the First Place

Chewing serves many purposes in a dog’s life. For puppies, it’s a critical part of the teething process, helping relieve the discomfort of new teeth pushing through. For adult dogs, chewing is a way to relieve boredom, anxiety, frustration, or excess energy. It can also stem from curiosity—dogs experience the world through their mouths, much like toddlers do with their hands.

In some cases, dogs chew to self-soothe. Dogs with separation anxiety may chew objects that carry your scent, like clothing or couch cushions. Others may chew to cope with stress, such as loud noises, household tension, or a lack of structure. Understanding the motivation behind your dog’s chewing is the first step toward correcting it.

Rule Out Medical or Nutritional Issues

Before tackling behavioral training, it’s important to make sure there are no underlying medical causes. Dogs with dental pain, gastrointestinal upset, or nutrient deficiencies may chew compulsively. Talk to your vet if your dog’s chewing is excessive, seems sudden, or is paired with signs like drooling, vomiting, or changes in appetite. Ensuring your dog is on a well-balanced diet and receives regular health checks lays the foundation for positive behavioral change.

Puppy Teething vs. Destructive Chewing

If your dog is under six months old, teething is likely the primary cause of their chewing. During this time, gums are sore and chewing helps relieve discomfort. Teething peaks around 16–20 weeks and gradually decreases as adult teeth come in. For puppies, provide a variety of safe chew toys designed to soothe teething pain. Frozen rubber toys, soft plush chews, or knotted ropes work especially well.

For older dogs, chewing is more often about unmet needs—like boredom, stress, or a lack of physical activity. Adult dogs need both stimulation and appropriate outlets to channel their chewing instincts.

Provide Plenty of Legal Chew Options

Stopping destructive chewing starts with offering a better alternative. Dogs need to chew, so give them a wide selection of “legal” chew items that are safe and satisfying. High-quality chew toys like rubber bones, bully sticks, frozen KONGs, and dental chews provide both physical and mental stimulation.

Rotate toys regularly to maintain novelty and excitement. What’s new is often more engaging, so switching out chew options every few days can keep your dog’s interest focused on appropriate targets. Pair new toys with positive reinforcement, like treats or praise, to build a strong preference for chewing the right things.

Supervise and Redirect in the Early Stages

If your dog is still learning what’s okay to chew, supervision is essential. Keep them in sight whenever possible, especially during high-risk times like when you’re cooking, working, or distracted. If you catch them chewing on something they shouldn’t, calmly interrupt them with a simple “Uh-uh,” then offer a chew toy and praise them once they engage with it.

Avoid yelling or punishment, which can create fear or confusion. The goal is not to make your dog afraid of chewing—but to teach them what’s acceptable. Each successful redirection builds good habits and increases their understanding of your expectations.

Use Confinement Zones and Crates When Needed

When you can’t supervise, use a crate, playpen, or dog-proofed room to limit access to tempting items. These controlled environments help prevent bad habits and set your dog up for success. Be sure the area includes approved chew toys, water, and comfort items.

Crate training isn’t about punishment—it’s about providing a safe space where your dog can relax without the opportunity to make bad choices. Just remember: if your dog is spending time in a crate or pen, they’ll also need daily mental and physical enrichment elsewhere to stay balanced and happy.

Exercise, Enrichment, and Mental Stimulation

One of the most effective ways to reduce destructive chewing is to increase your dog’s physical and mental activity. Boredom and excess energy are two of the biggest drivers of inappropriate chewing. Daily walks, structured playtime, training sessions, fetch, agility exercises, and scent games all help channel energy constructively.

Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as a walk. Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, trick training, and food-dispensing toys engage your dog’s brain and reduce the urge to find their own entertainment—like chewing your baseboards or couch.

Manage the Environment: Dog-Proof Your Home

Environmental management is often the most overlooked but effective part of solving chewing problems. Keep tempting objects out of reach—shoes in closets, cords tucked away, and laundry off the floor. Use bitter-tasting deterrent sprays like apple spray on furniture legs or baseboards if needed, but only as a temporary backup to training.

Clean up messes promptly, especially if your dog is drawn to paper, wrappers, or other items with lingering food smells. The less accessible your belongings are, the fewer temptations your dog has—and the more success you’ll see.

Avoid Harsh Corrections or Misdirected Discipline

It’s important to resist the urge to punish your dog after the fact. If you return home to a chewed-up shoe and scold your dog, they won’t connect your anger to the earlier act of chewing. What they’ll remember is that you came home and got upset—causing stress and anxiety, which can actually increase destructive behavior.

Instead, focus on reinforcing good behavior when it happens. Praise and reward your dog when they chew on appropriate toys. Use calm, consistent redirection to show them what you want. Clear, positive communication builds trust—and trust is the key to lasting behavior change.

Be Patient and Consistent

Changing behavior takes time. Don’t expect overnight results, especially with adult dogs or rescues who may have developed bad habits. It can take weeks—or even months—of consistent redirection, enrichment, and structure to see permanent change.

Celebrate small wins, like your dog choosing a toy over the couch or chewing for longer periods on an approved item. These moments are signs of growth and deserve reinforcement. Stay consistent, and your dog will learn what’s right—and feel good about doing it.

Know When to Get Help

If your dog’s chewing is compulsive, dangerous, or tied to severe anxiety, consider consulting a certified dog trainer or behaviorist. Professional support can provide customized strategies, identify hidden stressors, and prevent escalation. In cases of separation anxiety or trauma, crate training or desensitization plans may be necessary.

Chewing isn’t just a behavioral issue—it’s a form of communication. A professional can help you decode what your dog is trying to say and address the problem with empathy and expertise.

A Well-Chewed Toy Beats a Shredded Shoe

With the right tools and techniques, you can turn your dog’s chewing habits from destructive to delightful. By offering appropriate outlets, managing the environment, increasing enrichment, and reinforcing good choices, you’re building a dog who knows what’s allowed and feels good about following the rules.

Chewing is natural. It doesn’t have to be a war between you and your dog. With a little guidance and a lot of patience, your dog can learn to chew the right things—and leave your favorite shoes in peace.