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Improper chew toys - Never give your puppy or dog any objects you don't want them to chew on. For example, don't give your dog a shoe, sock or household item as a toy because the dog will think of all of these items as toys. The dog will not be able to differentiate between your discarded items and the good stuff.
Boredom or Stress - Dogs may chew when they are bored, stressed or anxious. If chewing helps relieve the boredom or stress, it will most likely be repeated again and again because it is self-reinforcing. Now you have a bad habit that is hard to break.
Problem Solving Techniques
Puppies can be taught at an early age to limit their chewing to a few appropriate objects, but they should never have the run of the house. Not unlike caring for a toddler, you should always be aware of where your uncrated pup is and what he/she is doing.
When you catch your puppy or dog in the act of chewing on something you do not want him to chew, say "no…chew toy," then redirect the dog to the appropriate toy and give lots of praise. This is an instructive reprimand, which teaches the dog he is doing something wrong (no) and what he is supposed to be doing (chew toy). Correct a shy dog with a gentle "no"; use a firmer "No!" with a more stubborn dog.
Keep your dog confined to a kennel or crate when you cannot watch him. Make sure he has a toy in the kennel or crate that he can chew on. You can confine your puppy to one room or area, like the kitchen or laundry room, where there are fewer chewable items. A puppy gate may be useful for this purpose. However, even a kitchen or laundry room will have walls, floors or molding that could be damaged by a curious puppy. Always supervise your puppy when he is out and be ready to redirect the dog's chewing on something unacceptable by offering an acceptable chew toy.
Give your puppy a variety of hard rubber balls, kong toys, nylon bones and knotted ropes to chew on. Make sure the toys do not squeak or contain bells. Soft, squeaky toys are fun for small puppies and for games of fetch, but are not sturdy enough for chewing exercises for older pups. Supervise your puppy or dog with any new toys to make sure it is the right toy for your dog. Some dogs will destroy their new toys in seconds, even ones that say they are for aggressive chewers. Make sure the dog is not chewing off bits and pieces and swallowing them. Rotate the toys on a weekly basis. That way, your dog will not become bored with his toys and look for new toys to play with--like shoes, rugs, furniture, etc.
If your dog seems to be bored with the same old chew toys, try offering a special treat. Take some cheese, peanut butter or cut-up a hot dog. Stuff that food into a hollow bone or Kong toy and give the dog the treat. Or buy a Buster Cube or similar food cube-type toy. Fill it with your dog's kibble and as the dog rolls the toy around, the food drops out. This should keep your dog busy and out of trouble for a while.
Establish leadership through training. Dogs are more secure knowing they have a leader. Don't leave your dog in the backyard alone for long periods of time. Dogs are very social animals and need to be with their pack. Provide 10-15 minutes of playtime with your dog every day. Join an obedience class and incorporate your training sessions with play every day. Exercise works the same way for dogs as it does for humans. It relieves tension and stress.
Some spray products on the market may help deter unwanted chewing. Products such as Bitter Apple (available at pet stores) or hot pepper sauce may make the chewable items taste bad. What often works is spraying the Bitter Apple directly into the dog's mouth, then sparingly using it on inappropriate items the dog tends to chew on. Once a dog has had that taste in his mouth, he will rarely chew something that has that same taste. For outdoor items (furniture, deck, etc.), you can try using cribbing solution (made for horses that chew) for very stubborn dogs that chew.
As when training any behavior, be persistent and consistent to let your dog know what is acceptable and what is not. With maturity and proper reinforcement training from you, soon your dog will have freedom around your home without you having to worry about what the dog is getting into.
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