Raising a puppy is like raising a small kid, have no control over them, do both the good and the bad. It’s pet owner’s responsibility to train your puppy despite its size and age. Puppy training can be a challenging but rewarding experience. One of the key aspects of training is teaching your puppy what is appropriate to chew. Puppies have a natural instinct to chew, which helps with teething and exploring their environment. However, as pet owners you have to teach them, what should chew and what should not to ensure their safety.
Why Do Puppies Chew?
Puppies chew for several reasons as follows:
- Teething Relief: Just like human babies, puppies go through a teething phase where their gums can be sore. Chewing helps drive away their discomfort.
- Exploration: Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them. Chewing allows them to learn about their environment.
- Boredom and Anxiety: Chewing can be a way for puppies to relieve boredom or anxiety, especially when left alone for extended periods.
Understanding these reasons can help you provide appropriate outlets for your puppy’s chewing needs.
Providing Appropriate Chew Toys

Raising a puppy is challenging through, there are many options that pet owners use to prevent their puppies from chewing on inappropriate items. They offer a variety of suitable chew toys. Look for toys that are durable and specifically designed for teething puppies. Some options include:
- Rubber Toys: These are great for teething puppies as they are durable and can withstand strong chewing. Brands like Kong offer toys that can be stuffed with treats. They provide both mental and physical stimulation to puppies
- Nylon Bones: These are long-lasting toys. They come in different flavors to keep your puppy interested in chewing them.
- Rope Toys: These can be good for interactive play and help with dental health by cleaning your puppy’s teeth as they chew.
You may not give your puppy the same series of toys. You may rotate the toys regularly to keep your puppy engaged and interested.
Puppy-Proofing Your Home
Before bringing a new puppy home, it’s essential to puppy-proof your living space. They can easily prompt them to use those items despite they are puppy-friendly or not. This involves removing or securing items that you don’t want your puppy to chew on, such as:
- Electrical Cords: Make secure cords out of reach or use cord protectors for your puppy to prevent your puppy from chewing on them, which can be dangerous.
- Shoes and Clothing: Keep these items in closed closets or high places where your puppy can’t reach them. If not, it’d be the end of your shoes and clothes!
- Household Items: Items like remote controls, books, and children’s toys should be kept out of your puppy’s reach. Sometimes they use remote controllers not to control but entertain by chewing and books not to read but to enjoy tearing.
Raising a puppy is also like raising a baby. Hence, you may use baby gates to restrict your puppy’s access to certain areas of the house.
Train Your Puppy to Chew Toys

Training your puppy to chew on appropriate items requires consistency and patience. Whenever you catch your puppy chewing on something they shouldn’t, calmly redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. When they choose the correct item to chew on, you may use positive reinforcement by praising them or giving them a small treat.
No physical punishments! you have to avoid using physical punishment or yelling, as this can create fear and anxiety, worsening your puppies behavioral. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior.
You have to supervise your puppy’s playtime the early stages of his training. This allows you to monitor their chewing habits and intervene if they start chewing on inappropriate items. Over time, your puppy will learn what is acceptable to chew on and what is not. You can use crate training in an effective way to manage your puppy’s chewing behavior when you are not able to supervise them. Make sure the crate is a comfortable space for your puppy. Provide safe chew toys inside the crate to keep them occupied. Crate training not only helps with chewing issues but also aids in housetraining and providing a safe space for your puppy to relax.
Teething and Chewing Phases
Understanding that teething is a temporary phase can help you be more patient with your puppy. Typically, puppies start teething around three to four months of age and can continue until they are six to eight months old. During this time, their baby teeth will fall out, and their adult teeth will come in. Providing appropriate chew toys and training will help them get through this phase with minimal issues.
If your puppy is particularly continuous in chewing on inappropriate items, you can use chewing deterrents. These are sprays or coatings that have an unpleasant taste, discouraging your puppy from chewing on treated items. You may ensure to choose a pet-safe deterrent and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Giving Your Puppy Regular Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. Make sure your puppy gets plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. You, as a pet owner, despite its age, have to make your puppy engaged in exercise. Regular walks, playtime, and training sessions can help burn off excess energy and reduce the likelihood of destructive chewing.
Conclusion
Training your puppy to chew on appropriate items is an essential part of their development. By providing suitable chew toys, puppy-proofing your home, and ensuring regular exercise, you can help your puppy develop good chewing habits. Remember to be patient and consistent! You may not punish your puppy. Let them be trained peacefully and enjoy the journey of raising a puppy happily.