How to Stop Dog Chewing: Vet-Approved Training Tips

Few things ruin a calm evening like the sound of your dog gnawing on a chair leg, and up to 50% of dog owners report destructive chewing. The good news: this behaviour is almost always fixable once you understand the cause — this guide walks you through the most common triggers and shows you exactly what to do, backed by veterinarians and animal behavior experts.

Dogs that develop destructive chewing: Up to 50% of dog owners report this issue ·
Primary cause of puppy chewing: Teething (up to 6 months of age) ·
Recommended daily exercise for high-energy breeds: 60–90 minutes ·
Peak age for destructive chewing: 6–18 months ·
Success rate with proper training and management: Over 90% of cases resolve with consistent intervention

Five key facts about destructive chewing, based on veterinary and animal welfare sources:

How do I get a dog to stop chewing on everything?

The first step isn’t buying a toy — it’s figuring out why your dog is chewing. Veterinarians and trainers agree that matching the solution to the cause is the fastest route to success.

1. Rule out medical causes first — Dental pain, nutritional deficiencies, or gastrointestinal issues can trigger chewing. A vet check is the smartest starting point, especially if the behaviour appears suddenly.
2. Provide appropriate chew toys — Kong toys filled with peanut butter or cheese, then frozen, keep dogs occupied for hours. Rotate toys every few days to fight boredom. Puppies benefit from ice cubes, freezable dog toys, or frozen wet washcloths to soothe teething gums.
3. Increase physical exercise and mental stimulation — High-energy breeds need at least 2 hours of daily exercise; more relaxed breeds do well with 40 minutes or less. Food-dispensing puzzle toys provide mental challenges that tire a dog out as much as a long walk.
4. Use positive reinforcement training — Reward your dog for choosing appropriate chew items — never punish after the fact.

Rule out medical causes first

• Dental pain, nutritional deficiencies, or gastrointestinal issues can trigger chewing. A vet check is the smartest starting point, especially if the behaviour appears suddenly (ASPCA).

Provide appropriate chew toys

• Kong toys filled with peanut butter or cheese, then frozen, keep dogs occupied for hours (Best Friends Animal Society).
• Rotate toys every few days — reintroducing an old toy makes it feel new and fights boredom (Best Friends Animal Society).
• Puppies especially benefit from ice cubes, freezable dog toys, or frozen, wet washcloths to soothe teething gums (ASPCA).

Increase physical exercise and mental stimulation

• High-energy breeds (German Shepherds, Springer Spaniels, Border Collies, Brittanies) require at least 2 hours of daily exercise (Madison Park Veterinary Hospital).
• More relaxed breeds (Pugs, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians) do well with 40 minutes or less (Madison Park Veterinary Hospital).
• According to celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan, lack of exercise accounts for 90% of dog behavior issues (Brandon McMillan).
• Food-dispensing puzzle toys like Buster Cubes provide mental challenges that tire a dog out as much as a long walk (Best Friends Animal Society).

Use positive reinforcement training

• Reward your dog for choosing appropriate chew items — never punish after the fact (ASPCA).

Can you train a dog to stop chewing?

Yes — and the training is surprisingly straightforward once you understand the core techniques.

The “Leave It” command

• Teach “leave it” by holding a treat in a closed fist. Only release when your dog stops trying to get it. Practice daily until the cue works from a distance (ASPCA).

Redirection to approved chew items

• When you catch your dog chewing something forbidden, calmly say “no” and immediately hand them an approved chew toy. Praise them once they take it (Best Friends Animal Society).

Crate training for management

• Crates can prevent chewing when you can’t supervise, but the ASPCA warns never to exceed 6 hours of confinement (ASPCA).
• Use baby gates to restrict access to certain rooms instead of extended crating (ASPCA).

What this means: a dog that only ever has access to forbidden items will keep destroying them. The training isn’t complicated — it’s the management layer (crates, gates, supervision) that owners often skip. Build both, and the chewing stops.

What repels dogs from chewing?

Deterrents can help, but they’re not a standalone fix — they work best alongside training and management.

Commercial bitter sprays

• Bitter-tasting sprays like Bitter Apple discourage chewing on furniture, cords, and baseboards (Tribeca Veterinary Medical Center).
• Reapply every day for two to four weeks because the taste wears off and dogs adapt (ASPCA).
• Products such as Simple Solution Chew Stopper are available at pet retailers like Petmania, ranging from €9.99 to €24.99.

Natural deterrents

• Rubbing lemon peel on affected areas can repel some dogs due to the sour scent (Brandon McMillan).
• Vinegar or citrus sprays are common DIY options, but always test on a small area first.

The pattern: sprays work as a temporary barrier while you address the underlying need. Without the behavioral fix, the deterrent is a Band-Aid.

What is the 7 7 7 rule for dogs?

The 7-7-7 rule is a framework commonly recommended for recently adopted dogs to help them transition into a new home. While it wasn’t designed specifically for chewing, it can reduce stress-related chewing during the adjustment period.

7 days of decompression

• Keep the environment calm. Let the dog explore at their own pace. Limit visitors and avoid overwhelming introductions.

7 weeks of training and bonding

• Start basic obedience (sit, stay, leave it). Build trust through hand-feeding and short training sessions.

7 months of consistency

• Maintain routines, continue training, and gradually increase freedom. The dog’s behavior should stabilize by this point.

What this means for chewing: the decompression phase reduces anxiety, which is a major chewing trigger. The training phase teaches alternatives. The consistency phase locks in the new habit. Many rescue organizations recommend this timeline.

Do dogs grow out of destructive chewing?

Some do — but counting on it is a mistake.

Puppies often stop after teething

• Puppies go through an intensified chewing phase during teething that usually ends by six months of age (ASPCA).
• If the chewing is purely teething-driven, it resolves naturally. But if it’s reinforced (e.g., the dog learns that chewing a shoe gets attention), it can persist.

Adult dogs often need intervention

• Boredom and anxiety can cause lifelong chewing habits in adult dogs (Best Friends Animal Society).
• Dogs that have been practicing chewing for years won’t stop without a structured behavior modification plan.

The implication: only teething-related chewing is likely to fade on its own. For all other causes, assume the behaviour will persist until you change the environment and the dog’s routine.

Expert perspectives

Do not leave your dog in a crate for lengthy periods… Do not muzzle your dog to prevent chewing.

— ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Provide appropriate exercise, socialisation and mental stimulation.

— Dogs Trust (UK-based animal welfare charity)

The common thread across experts: set your dog up to succeed by meeting their physical and mental needs, then manage the environment so chewing forbidden items is never an option.

Frequently asked questions

For dog owners dealing with destructive chewing, the choice is clear: invest time in identifying the root cause and applying consistent training, or face ongoing damage and a stressed pet. The 90% success rate with proper intervention means the effort pays off.