Stopping a puppy from chewing furniture and shoes

A dog or puppy may chew furniture or other household items for more than one reason. In adult dogs, one of the most likely causes is simply boredom. If a large, active dog is confined inside the house and there is nobody around to provide company and amusement, they may resort to chewing for something to do. In this case, the best solution is more exercise and more attention- no amount of tricks, toys, or treats can replace a good walk in the park, or a run for bigger animals.

A puppy may chew furniture and shoes when teething. Like humans, puppies make the change from a smaller set of baby teeth to a full adult arrangement in early adolescence. In dogs, this usually happens at about 4-6 months. There is a natural desire to chew to relieve discomfort and help the new set of teeth emerge, and if teething is the problem, most puppies just need to be provided with chew toys.

To show the young dog that a particular toy is ok to chew, start using it in a chasing or throwing game. As long as there is a constant supply of chewable foods, sticks, knotted ropes, and toys, it's unlikely they will choose things that they are not allowed to chew.

Tough, chewy treats should be considered an essential part of dog nutrition at this stage in development. Even a supply of good dog biscuits like those produced by Hill's Pet can really help a puppy teethe without destroying furniture.

Another reason that any dog may choose to chew a forbidden item is the smell. The stink of a hot, sweaty running shoe may be unattractive to us, but it's very different to a puppy. To the animal, dog nutrition is all about smell, and if it smells like it may be good to eat, they'll try and eat it. Keep all shoes well deodorised, and any sports shoes stored out of reach.

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