How to stop dogs from chewing on wood?

Chewing wood is one of those problems that looks minor until it isn’t: chewed baseboards, splintered chair legs, and the risk of swallowed fragments can quickly turn into a safety and veterinary bill. The guidance below explains when chewing is most likely, what to do immediately, why dogs chew, how to reduce it over time, and when to get professional help.

When wood chewing becomes a real problem—for your dog and your home

Puppies in the teething window are the classic case: from roughly three weeks to six months they explore with their mouths and often chew wood to pry away pressure on erupting teeth. I typically see adolescent dogs reasserting mouthing behavior after growth spurts, and adult dogs may return to chewing when their routines change. Homes with exposed baseboards, low coffee tables, chair legs, stair moldings, or yard fences give easy targets; if a dog is often left alone or under-stimulated, chewing is more likely to become a persistent habit.

Owners should care because chewing wood is not just cosmetic. Splinters can injure the mouth, and sharp fragments may be swallowed, causing choking or intestinal problems. Chewing can also be a signal — the dog may be teething, bored, anxious, or trying to communicate unmet needs. Addressing it early reduces risk to the dog and prevents escalation into other destructive behaviors.

Immediate steps you can try right now to stop wood-chewing

Start with these four steps you can do in the next hour: supervise the dog and remove access to any chewed wood; provide safe, appropriate chew alternatives right away; increase physical and mental activity this day; and if you suspect pain, pica, or the dog has swallowed fragments, contact your veterinarian promptly. These measures rarely fix the behavior permanently by themselves, but they reduce immediate danger and give you time to implement a longer plan.

Why dogs chew wood: instinct, boredom, anxiety and more

Chewing is normal mammalian behavior that serves several functions. In puppies it’s often about teething and mouth exploration — teeth pushing through gums can feel uncomfortable and chewing eases pressure. For older dogs, chewing satisfies natural oral-motor needs for grinding and salivation, which may be calming. Chewing also functions as self-soothing behavior when the dog feels uncertain or anxious; repetitive chewing releases endorphin-like responses in some dogs and may be one of their ways to cope.

Behaviorally, chewing can be attention-seeking or boredom-driven. If a dog learns that chewing furniture leads to a big reaction, whether scolding or rescue of an object, that response can inadvertently reinforce the behavior. In other cases it may be associated with nutritional problems or pica, where a dog craves non-food items; that is less common but important to rule out medically.

When chewing escalates: common triggers, patterns and timing

Chewing tends to flare at predictable times. Periods of prolonged isolation or the same daily alone time can create windows when a dog chews to pass time or relieve stress. Boredom from inadequate exercise or lack of enrichment makes chewable objects more attractive. Puppies and adolescents show life-stage peaks of destructive chewing that often decline with maturity but can persist without training. Environmental changes — new people, a move, construction noise, a baby in the house — can trigger anxiety-related chewing almost overnight.

Timing matters. If chewing occurs primarily when family members leave the house, separation-related stress should be suspected. If it happens when the dog has free access to a room, management and prevention are the first controls. Noting patterns — time of day, who’s present, what else is happening in the home — gives strong clues about the primary cause and guides the next steps.

Health risks and red flags: when to call your veterinarian

Wood chewing carries specific health risks. Splinters can lodge in gums, throat, or esophagus and may cause cuts or infection. Small or sharp pieces swallowed can obstruct the stomach or intestines; this is a surgical emergency if an obstruction occurs. Watch for vomiting, repeated retching, abdominal pain or distension, lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or blood in the stool — these signs suggest immediate veterinary attention.

Other red flags include a sudden escalation in chewing without an obvious environmental trigger, the appearance of oral pain (drooling, pawing at the mouth, reluctance to eat hard food), or new destructive behavior in an otherwise well-behaved adult dog. If teeth look abnormal, gums are inflamed, or there’s unusual mouth odor, have your veterinarian examine the mouth for dental disease or oral trauma before assuming it’s purely behavioral.

An owner’s roadmap: daily actions from day one to steady progress

1. Assess likely cause. Observe when and where chewing happens and whether the dog is a puppy, recently stressed, or showing signs of dental pain. Note patterns for at least several days before concluding.
2. Immediately block access to the problem areas. Use gates, close doors, or remove the dog from rooms with exposed baseboards or chewed furniture while you work on training.
3. Provide approved chew alternatives. Offer an appropriate-sized, durable chew toy immediately when you remove access — keep it in sight so the dog can transition from forbidden object to permitted one.
4. Redirect and reinforce. When you catch the dog chewing wood, calmly interrupt with a neutral cue, trade for a chew toy, and reward the dog for chewing the toy. Pair this with short training sessions for “leave it” and “drop,” using high-value treats to shape reliable responses.
5. Increase enrichment and exercise. Add a structured walk, play session, or food puzzle twice daily. Enrichment reduces boredom and the urge to chew in many dogs.
6. If chewing persists despite management, or if medical signs appear, escalate: schedule a vet exam for dental and GI assessment, and consult a certified behavior professional if anxiety or severe persistence is suspected.

At-home strategies: managing the environment and training effectively

Practical prevention reduces temptation and gives training time to work. Puppy-proof the home by removing or covering baseboards and low furniture, and use baby gates or exercise pens to limit access to problem rooms. For unsupervised periods, supervised confinement (crate training) can be effective; crates are best introduced gradually and used as a safe den, not punishment. Follow age-based maximums: very young puppies need more frequent breaks, whereas adult dogs can tolerate longer crate intervals if they’ve been trained to accept it.

Training is primarily about consistent redirection and positive reinforcement. Teach a clear “leave it” by offering a low-value object in one hand and a higher-value treat in the other; reward movement away from the object. Train “drop it” by exchanging a treat for the toy the dog already has, then rewarding. Short, frequent sessions (5–10 minutes, several times daily) yield better retention than long sessions. Rotate chew toys so novelty is maintained — keep some toys hidden and swap them periodically rather than leaving everything available at once.

Mental enrichment can be as important as physical exercise. Food-dispensing puzzles, frozen stuffed KONGs, scent games, and brief obedience circuits provide cognitive challenge and longer-lasting engagement than simple toys. For anxious dogs, counterconditioning and desensitization to departure cues (practice putting on coat and leaving for seconds, then returning) may reduce separation-triggered chewing; a behaviorist can give a structured plan if anxiety is severe.

Recommended safe gear: chews, deterrents and protective tools

• Sturdy chew toys designed for power chewers: rubber KONGs (size appropriate), veterinary-approved nylon chews such as specific Nylabone products labeled for the dog’s weight and chewing style.
• Food-dispensing puzzle toys and lick mats to slow feeding and provide sustained oral engagement; use high-value wet food or kibble to increase interest.
• Bitter-taste deterrent sprays formulated for pets (follow label instructions and test on a hidden wood area first); these are an adjunct, not a sole solution, and should be used carefully to avoid causing distress.
• Chew-proof furniture guards or clear plastic corner guards and baby gates to block access to vulnerable trim and baseboards.

If progress stalls: troubleshooting, alternatives and when to seek help

If reasonable management, enrichment, and training aren’t reducing chewing after a few weeks, re-evaluate the diagnosis. I often see cases where an underlying medical issue — dental pain, gastrointestinal upset, or nutritional deficiency — was missed. A veterinary exam (including oral exam and possibly abdominal imaging) rules out those causes. If the dog is medically cleared and the behavior remains, a certified applied animal behaviorist or someone certified by the Pet Professional Guild or CPDT can design a behavior modification plan tailored to your dog’s motivation and triggers.

For dogs whose chewing is linked to separation-related distress, expect a longer timeline. Behavior change for anxiety can take months and benefits from a combination of systematic desensitization, enrichment, management, and sometimes medication when prescribed by a veterinarian experienced in behavior medicine. If the dog has swallowed wood and shows any clinical signs, do not wait — seek emergency veterinary care.

Sources and evidence behind these recommendations

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Pica” and “Behavioral Disorders — Destructive Behavior” sections — https://www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Separation Anxiety in Dogs” client information — https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/separation-anxiety-dogs
• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB): owner resources on problem behaviors and finding a boarded veterinary behaviorist — https://www.dacvb.org/owner-resources
• ASPCA: “Preventing Destructive Chewing” — behavior resources and enrichment ideas — https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/destructive-chewing
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior: “Assessment and treatment of destructive chewing in dogs” (peer-reviewed clinical articles) — search for recent reviews for evidence-based protocols