How Do I Deal With A Chewing Puppy?

Congratulations on your new puppy! Bringing home a small new family member is an exciting time, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges, like excessive chewing. Puppy chewing is a completely normal behavior, but it’s important to address it early on to prevent damage to your belongings and keep your pup safe.

Why do puppies chew?

Chewing is a natural and necessary behaviour for puppies. Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them and to relieve the discomfort of teething. Chewing helps puppies soothe their gums and develop their jaw muscles.

Tips for Curbing Excessive Puppy Chewing:

Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys. Offer your puppy a variety of safe, durable chew toys to satisfy their urge to chew. Things like rubber toys, bully sticks, and frozen Kong toys are great options.

Puppy-proof your home. Look around your home and remove or protect any items that you don’t want your puppy chewing on, such as electrical cords, furniture, and household items.

Teach the “leave it” command. This useful command can be taught by offering your puppy a treat in your closed fist. When they stop chewing and back away, praise and reward them. Gradually increase the duration they must leave the item alone before getting the treat.

Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A bored puppy is more likely to chew out of boredom or frustration. Make sure your puppy gets enough physical and mental exercise each day through playtime, training, and enrichment activities.

Be patient and consistent. Stopping chewing behaviour takes time and consistency. Redirect your puppy to appropriate chew toys every time you catch them chewing something they shouldn’t. Praise and reward them when they chew on their toys instead.

With the right approach, you can curb your puppy’s excessive chewing and protect your belongings. Remember to be patient, provide plenty of appropriate outlets, and stay consistent in your training. Enjoy this special time with your new pal!