How to stop dog chewing furniture?

Chewing can be one of the most visible ways a dog communicates needs, discomfort, or simply curiosity. For a dog lover, it is both a practical problem—ruined furniture, bills, safety worries—and an opportunity to strengthen your relationship by meeting the underlying need rather than punishing the symptom. The guidance below is practical, evidence-minded, and written from the perspective of a clinician who sees this pattern often: the approach is to stop immediate damage, identify why the dog chews, and build routines and training that prevent it from returning.

More than ruined upholstery: why furniture chewing matters to you and your dog

Puppies and adult dogs chew for different reasons, and the difference matters for how you respond. Puppies are often chewing because their baby teeth are being replaced by adult teeth; that may increase their urge to gnaw and bite. Adult dogs may chew for boredom, stress relief, dental discomfort, or because an attractive object is within reach. Recognizing which is at play helps you select a safe and effective intervention.

Beyond the obvious damage to couches, baseboards, or your favorite chair, chewing has real consequences for finances and relationships. Replacing or repairing household items is expensive, and recurring destructive incidents can increase frustration between household members or between adopters and shelters. Addressing chewing early protects both your belongings and your ability to keep the dog in the home.

Chewing can also be a safety issue. Dogs that ingest parts of upholstery, stuffing, or small objects may develop intestinal blockages that require emergency surgery. Even non-ingested destruction can cause mouth injuries or sharp splinters. For anyone who fosters, adopts, boards, or lives in a multi-dog household, preventing chewing is part of preventing accidental injury and ensuring peaceful cohabitation.

What to do right now to stop your dog chewing furniture

If you discover a dog actively chewing something dangerous or valuable, take a calm, immediate set of actions: remove the dog from access to the target item without loud punishment, offer a safe, approved chew to replace it, and increase supervision so the pattern cannot repeat in the short term. If the dog resists giving up an object and shows signs of guarding, step back and call for professional help rather than escalating the situation.

In the hours after an incident, physically block access to the item using doors, trash containment, or baby gates. Supervise more closely—shorten unsupervised windows by confining the dog to a safe area until you’ve implemented training or management. If the chewing looks compulsive, is a sudden change in behavior, or there are signs of injury or ingestion, schedule a veterinary or behaviorist consult promptly.

Why dogs chew — instincts, teething, stress and boredom

Chewing is a natural behavior with several overlapping functions. In puppies, chewing may primarily be linked to teething and the need to exercise and strengthen the jaw as adult teeth emerge. This biological drive is strong and may peak at predictable ages; I typically see intense chewing onset around 3–6 months.

For older dogs, chewing often serves as exploration and sensory investigation. Dogs use their mouths to sample textures and smells the way humans use their hands. Objects that carry food scents or novel textures are more likely to attract attention and mouthing.

Chewing also appears linked to stress reduction. Dogs may gnaw to displace anxiety or as a calming behavior when they have no other outlet; this is likely similar to how repetitive behaviors in other species reduce arousal. Attention-seeking is another function: a dog that learns chewing brings immediate owner attention—even if that attention is scolding—may repeat the behavior because it reliably produces interaction.

When chewing happens: common times, places and triggers

Chewing frequency and targets are not random. Time-of-day patterns matter: many dogs chew more when alone or bored, such as during work hours, late evenings, or after a period of confinement. If chewing starts predictably at the same times you leave the home, it may suggest separation-related frustration or boredom rather than a purely destructive personality.

Environment and routine changes also increase chewing. Recent moves, new household members, visitors, or novel items left within reach can trigger exploratory or stress chewing. Confinement without sufficient physical and mental exercise is another common trigger—an under-exercised dog is more likely to find destructive ways to use excess energy.

Breed tendencies and life stage influence risk too. Some breeds were selected for strong oral drives (retrievers, terriers) and may be predisposed to carry or chew objects. Age matters: puppies and adolescents generally reduce destructive chewing as they mature if given appropriate outlets, while adult-onset chewing should prompt a closer look for medical or emotional causes.

Warning signs that chewing is more than bad behavior

Not all chewing is benign. Sudden escalation or new-onset destructive chewing, especially in an adult dog, may suggest pain, cognitive decline, or a medical problem and merits veterinary evaluation. Watch for visible oral injury—bleeding, swollen gums, cuts, or excessive drooling—which could indicate tooth fractures, foreign bodies lodged in the mouth, or oral infection.

If a dog vomits, becomes lethargic, shows abdominal pain, or stops eating after a chewing episode, these signs may indicate ingestion leading to gastrointestinal obstruction and require urgent veterinary attention. Obsessive-compulsive chewing—persistent, repetitive chewing focused on non-food items—and chewing accompanied by increased aggression or guarding are also reasons to involve a behavior specialist or board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

An owner’s action checklist: immediate fixes and long-term steps

1. Assess likely cause. Observe when and where chewing happens and whether it follows specific events (alone time, feeding, changes). Rule out medical causes with your veterinarian if there’s any doubt.
2. Remove hazards. Make valuable or dangerous items inaccessible—secure trash, tuck away shoes and remote controls, and pick up small objects. Preventing access is the single most effective short-term tool.
3. Interrupt and redirect. If you catch the dog chewing an inappropriate item, use a calm interruption (a firm “ah-ah” or clapping) and immediately offer a suitable chew. Praise or reward when the dog accepts the replacement object.
4. Consistently teach trade. Practice “drop it” and “give” games: hold a high-value treat, ask for the object back, then reward. Teach “leave it” proactively with low-value items before escalating to tempting ones.
5. Increase exercise and structured enrichment. Add walks, play sessions, and mental tasks—short training sessions, scent work, or puzzle feeders—especially before known chewing windows.
6. Manage unsupervised time. Use crates or safe rooms when you cannot directly supervise, and gradually increase freedom as behavior improves. Crates should be a positive, restful space, not a punishment.
7. Seek professional help for persistent or severe cases. If the chewing continues, is severe, or is associated with anxiety or aggression, consult a veterinarian and a certified behavior professional for a tailored plan.

Prevent, redirect, reward — managing the environment and training effectively

Changing the environment reduces temptation and teaches better habits. Dog-proof the rooms where the dog spends most time—hide cords, remove accessible shoes, and secure trash. Baby gates and closed doors can limit access to high-risk areas without isolating the dog from family life.

Crate training can be an effective management tool when done correctly. A properly sized crate gives a dog a den-like resting area and can be used during unsupervised periods. Ensure the crate is associated with calm, positive experiences: meals, chew toys, and quiet time. Never use it as a long-term solution for behavior you haven’t trained; it should be part of a broader plan.

Training methods that rely on rewards for giving up items are both humane and effective. Rather than punishing chewing after the fact, teach and reinforce “leave it,” “drop,” and trade behaviors with high-value rewards. When trying to replace an object, offer something more appealing: a frozen chew, a food-stuffed toy, or a lengthy chew that keeps the dog’s mouth engaged.

Gradual exposure and shaping are helpful when a dog is fixated on a particular object. Start at a distance where the dog can see the item without reacting, reward calm behavior, and slowly decrease distance over sessions while increasing rewards for ignoring the item. This systematic approach helps change emotional responses rather than simply suppressing the behavior.

Helpful gear: safe chews, deterrents and training tools that actually work

• Durable chew toys: choose appropriate size and material—thick rubber (Kong-style) for strong chewers, nylon bones for heavy gnawers, and teething-safe options for puppies. Rotate toys so novelty is maintained.
• Puzzle feeders and interactive toys: food-dispensing toys and snuffle mats provide mental work that can reduce boredom-driven chewing; match the puzzle difficulty to your dog’s experience to avoid frustration.
• Frozen options and safe chews: freezing a stuffed Kong or offering refrigerated dental chews can soothe teething puppies and extend chew time for adults. Always supervise the first use to check durability and safety.
• Bitter deterrent sprays: use these selectively on objects you cannot otherwise remove; note that some dogs habituate to tastes, and deterrents should complement, not replace, management and training.
• Secure storage and barriers: lockable toy bins, closed closets, baby gates, and appropriately sized crates reduce temptation and make supervision manageable for busy households.

References and further reading

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “Separation Anxiety in Dogs” guidance and resources for pet owners.
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), Position Statement: “Punishment” and resources on force-free behavior modification.
• ASPCA, “Preventing Destructive Chewing in Dogs” practical guides for enrichment and management.
• Merck Veterinary Manual, chapter on “Foreign Body Ingestion” and related guidance on emergency signs and treatment.
• T. Tiira & H. Lohi (2015), “Early life experiences and adult fears in dogs” — Journal of Veterinary Behavior research on behavioral development (see Journal of Veterinary Behavior).
• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) / Board-certified veterinary behaviorists (DACVB) directories for finding specialists in complex or medical-related cases.