Why Does My Puppy Chew?
If you have a puppy, chances are you’ve already experienced the chewing stage! While it can be frustrating, chewing is a completely normal part of puppy development.
Puppies chew for several reasons:
- Teething: Just like human babies, puppies experience sore gums as their adult teeth come in. Chewing can help provide relief.
- Exploring: Puppies use their mouths to investigate and learn about the world around them.
- Learning: Mouthing and chewing are part of how puppies develop social skills and learn appropriate behaviors.
- Boredom: Chewing provides both mental and physical stimulation.
How Long Does It Last?
Unfortunately, the chewing phase doesn’t end when your puppy finishes teething!
Puppies may continue chewing well into adolescence, sometimes until 1–2 years of age. Even after their adult teeth come in, chewing remains a normal dog behavior.
The good news? There are things you can do to make this stage easier!
Tips for Managing Puppy Chewing
1. Teach Your Puppy What They CAN Chew
Rather than simply telling your puppy “no,” show them what they can chew!
- If you catch them chewing something inappropriate, calmly redirect them to an appropriate toy.
- Praise and reward them when they choose their own toys.
- If your puppy is nipping at your hands or clothing, disengage briefly and redirect them to an appropriate toy.
Consistency is key!
2. Puppy-Proof Your Home
Remember, your puppy doesn’t know the difference between an expensive shoe and a dog toy!
- Keep shoes, children’s toys, and other tempting items out of reach.
- Secure electrical cords and other potential hazards.
- Limit access to areas where your puppy might get into trouble.
Management is an important part of teaching good habits.
3. Use a Crate or Safe Confinement Area
You can’t supervise your puppy every minute of the day. When you can’t give them your full attention, a properly introduced crate, exercise pen, or safe puppy-proofed area can help prevent unwanted chewing.
Make sure your puppy has had an opportunity to potty, exercise, and enjoy some interaction with you before settling in for downtime.
4. Provide Mental and Physical Enrichment
A bored puppy is often a mischievous puppy!
Provide age-appropriate opportunities for:
- Sniffing and exploring.
- Food puzzles and enrichment activities.
- Short training sessions.
- Playtime and appropriate exercise.
- Opportunities to interact with their environment.
Remember, mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise!
5. Offer a Variety of Appropriate Chew Toys
Not all chew toys are created equal. Offer different textures, shapes, and types of toys to keep your puppy interested.
Some ideas include:
- Stuffable rubber toys.
- Snuffle mats and food puzzles.
- Appropriate puppy chew toys.
- Soft toys for supervised play.
- Toys designed for chewing and interactive games.
Rotate toys periodically to keep things interesting. Always choose toys appropriate for your puppy’s size, age, and chewing style, and supervise chewing to prevent choking or swallowing pieces.
6. Consider Puppy Training Classes 🐾
Training isn’t just about teaching your puppy to sit and stay!
Puppy classes help build communication, develop good habits, provide mental stimulation, and teach you how to manage common puppy behaviors.
The skills you build now will benefit you and your dog for years to come.
Remember, This Stage Won’t Last Forever!
It may not feel like it when you’re rescuing your favorite shoes or finding teeth marks on the furniture, but puppyhood really does go by quickly!
Be patient, stay consistent, manage your puppy’s environment, and provide plenty of appropriate outlets for chewing.
Most importantly, remember that your puppy isn’t being bad. They’re learning!
Set your puppy up for success, reward the behaviors you want to see, and enjoy the journey.