Why Does My Dog Chew Everything? The Real Reasons Behind Destructive Chewing and How to Stop It Using Positive Reinforcement

By Mary van Kriedt, CCTA/CCDT Certified Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer & Founder of FreeRun Leashes™ Inc.

If you've been asking yourself, "Why does my dog chew everything?" you're definitely not alone. Whether it's shoes, furniture, the TV remote, or your favorite blanket, destructive chewing is one of the most common behaviors dog owners struggle with. I can certainly relate.

Many years ago, long before travel crates were commonly used, I had a wonderful five-month-old puppy who traveled beautifully in the car. We'd been on countless rides together without a single issue, so stopping at my neighborhood market to grab just two items seemed completely reasonable. I honestly wasn't gone for more than eight minutes. When I came back, my entire driver's side headrest had been demolished!

Needless to say, my puppy had found a way to entertain himself while I was gone. Looking back, he wasn't being "bad." He was a young puppy, alone in the car, with nothing to do. He was simply telling me he was bored.

That experience has stayed with me throughout my years as a dog trainer because it perfectly illustrates an important point: dogs don't chew to spite us or get even. They chew because chewing serves a purpose. Once we understand why a dog is chewing, we can address the underlying cause and teach them what they should be chewing instead.

Why Puppies Chew Everything During Teething

If you've ever raised a puppy, you know they'll put just about anything in their mouth. That's completely normal.

Between about 3 and 6 months of age, puppies begin losing their baby teeth while their adult teeth come in. During this stage, their gums can become sore and uncomfortable, and chewing helps relieve that discomfort while strengthening the muscles in their jaws.

I always remind puppy owners that their puppy isn't chewing because they're being naughty. They're chewing because they're trying to make themselves feel better.

One of the biggest things I teach puppy owners is that management is just as important as training. The more opportunities your puppy has to make good choices, the faster they'll learn what belongs in their mouth and what doesn't.

Help Your Puppy Succeed

Offer a variety of safe chew options with different textures, such as:

• Durable rubber chew toys
• Puppy-safe teething toys
• Durable nylon chew toys appropriate for your puppy's age and chewing style
• Frozen rubber toys stuffed with wet food or plain pumpkin
• Frozen carrots (only while supervised)
• A damp washcloth twisted and frozen for short, supervised chewing sessions

Not every puppy has the same preferences. Some enjoy softer textures while others prefer firmer ones. Give your puppy choices and pay attention to what they naturally gravitate toward.

Just as importantly, keep tempting household items out of reach. Puppies can't make good choices if they're constantly surrounded by things that are far more interesting than their own toys.

Why Adult Dogs Chew Everything

When an adult dog starts chewing inappropriate items, I know it's probably not about their teeth anymore. Chewing is often giving us valuable information about how that dog is feeling or what they may be missing in their daily life.

Boredom

Boredom is one of the most common reasons I see adult dogs chewing inappropriate items.

Dogs need both physical exercise and mental enrichment. A walk around the block is wonderful, but many dogs also need opportunities to sniff, solve problems, learn new skills, and interact with their families.

When those needs aren't being met, they'll often create their own entertainment. Unfortunately, that entertainment may be your favorite pair of shoes or the corner of your coffee table.

Excess Energy

This is especially common in adolescent dogs between 6 months and 2 years of age. They have lots of energy, curiosity, and confidence, but not always the best decision-making skills.

I've found that many chewing problems improve dramatically when owners increase appropriate exercise, enrichment, and short, positive training sessions throughout the day.

Stress or Anxiety

Chewing can also help dogs regulate their emotions.

Changes in routine, moving to a new home, visitors, loud storms, fireworks, or spending more time alone can all increase chewing behavior.

In these cases, simply taking away the object being chewed doesn't solve the problem. We need to help the dog feel more comfortable while giving them appropriate outlets for that natural need to chew.

It's also important to remember that some dogs who are experiencing separation anxiety may chew doors, window frames, or other household items while trying to escape and reunite with their family. If your dog's chewing only happens when they're left alone and is accompanied by excessive barking, whining, pacing, or attempts to escape, separation anxiety may be part of the picture and should be addressed with a qualified positive reinforcement trainer or your veterinarian.

Habit

Sometimes chewing simply becomes a habit because it's rewarding.

Every time a dog chews something interesting, they're practicing that behavior. The more they practice it, the stronger it becomes.

Fortunately, the opposite is also true. The more they practice chewing appropriate toys, the more likely those toys become their first choice.

How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing Everything

One of the biggest mistakes I see is owners catching their dog chewing something inappropriate and immediately scolding them.

The problem is that punishment rarely teaches the lesson people think it does. If you're not present when the chewing happens, your dog can't connect your frustration to something they did earlier. Even if you catch them in the act, many dogs simply learn that people approaching while they're chewing predicts something unpleasant.

Instead, I focus on preventing the behavior whenever possible and teaching dogs what I do want them to chew. In my experience, that approach creates far better long-term results while strengthening the relationship between dogs and their people.

What I Teach My Clients

When I see a dog chewing an appropriate toy, I don't ignore it. I quietly walk over, tell them what a good dog they are, and often reinforce that choice with a small treat. That's exactly the behavior I want to see repeated.

If I catch a dog starting to chew something they shouldn't, I calmly interrupt the behavior, remove the inappropriate item if I can, and immediately redirect them to one of their own chew toys. The moment they begin chewing the right item, I praise them.

Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding. My job is to make the right choice the easiest and most rewarding one.

Set Your Dog Up for Success

Management isn't giving up. It's smart training.

If your dog has a history of chewing household items:

• Put shoes away.
• Keep children's toys picked up.
• Keep laundry off the floor.
• Use baby gates to limit access to rooms when you can't supervise.
• Rotate chew toys every few days to keep them interesting.
• Provide daily exercise, enrichment, training, and opportunities to sniff and explore.

Every time your dog practices chewing furniture, they're getting better at chewing furniture.

Every time they practice chewing their own toys, they're building the habit you actually want.

What Should I Give My Dog to Chew?

One question I hear often is, "What are the best things for my dog to chew?"

I recommend offering a variety of safe options and letting your dog tell you what they enjoy most. Every dog has their own preferences.

Some excellent choices include:

• Durable rubber toys that can be stuffed with food
• Age-appropriate nylon chew toys
• Food puzzles
• Frozen enrichment toys for teething puppies
• Long-lasting chew toys recommended by your veterinarian

Rotating toys every few days also helps keep them novel and exciting without constantly purchasing new ones.

When Should You Be Concerned?

Most chewing is perfectly normal, but there are times when it's worth talking with your veterinarian.

Schedule an appointment if your dog:

• Suddenly begins destructive chewing as an adult with no obvious reason.
• Starts eating non-food items such as rocks, fabric, or plastic.
• Has broken teeth or bleeding gums.
• Shows signs of severe anxiety when left alone.
• Continues excessive chewing despite appropriate exercise, enrichment, and training.

Your veterinarian can rule out medical causes while helping determine whether anxiety or another health condition may be contributing to the behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do puppies stop chewing?

Most puppies begin improving once all of their adult teeth have erupted, usually around 6 to 7 months of age. However, adolescent dogs often continue chewing because of curiosity, energy, and exploration, so appropriate chew toys remain important.

Is chewing a sign my dog is bored?

Sometimes. Boredom is one of the most common reasons adult dogs chew inappropriate items. Dogs may also chew because of stress, anxiety, excess energy, or simply because they've learned it's enjoyable.

Should I punish my dog for chewing?

No. Punishment doesn't teach your dog what you want them to do instead and can create confusion or damage trust. Positive reinforcement, good management, and appropriate enrichment are much more effective.

Why does my dog chew everything even after exercise?

Physical exercise is only part of the equation. Many dogs also need mental enrichment through sniffing, training, puzzle toys, problem-solving games, and opportunities to use their brains.

Final Thoughts

One thing I've learned after years of working with dogs is that chewing itself isn't the problem. It's a completely normal canine behavior.

The real question is why your dog is chewing.

For puppies, the answer is usually teething. For adolescent and adult dogs, it may be boredom, excess energy, stress, anxiety, or simply a lack of appropriate outlets.

When we understand what's motivating the behavior, we can create a training plan that addresses the cause instead of just the symptom.

With good management, appropriate enrichment, and positive reinforcement, I've watched countless dogs learn to make better choices. Rather than trying to stop dogs from chewing, I focus on teaching them what they should chew. That's how lasting behavior change happens, and it's how we build happier, more confident dogs while strengthening the bond we share with them.

Happy Training.