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Best way to get a puppy to stop chewing?

Puppies chew for a reason — teething, boredom, exploring, or anxiety — so the goal isn’t to stop chewing, but to redirect it to things they’re allowed to chew. Here’s the most effective approach:

✅ 1. Redirect (Don’t Punish)

Every time you catch your puppy chewing something wrong:

  1. Calmly say “Nope” or “Uh-uh”
  2. Replace the item with an approved chew toy
  3. Praise when they chew the right thing

Punishing confuses puppies and can create fear.

✅ 2. Provide LOTS of Approved Chew Toys

Rotate chew toys so they stay interesting:

  • Rubber toys (KONG)
  • Rope toys
  • Puppy dental chews
  • Frozen washcloths (great for teething)

Giving options prevents boredom chewing.

✅ 3. Use Bitter Sprays

Taste deterrents you can apply to furniture/shoes:

  • Bitter apple
  • No-Chew spray

This teaches puppies that the item = YUCK.

✅ 4. Exercise More

A tired puppy is a non-chewing puppy.

Add:

  • Walks
  • Fetch
  • Mental scent games

Most destructive chewing is a result of stored energy.

✅ 5. Puppy-Proof Your Home

Remove temptation:

  • Shoes in closets
  • Kids’ toys off floors
  • Cords covered or taped

If they can’t reach it, they can’t chew it.

✅ 6. Crate Train (Smartly)

When you can’t supervise, crate training prevents bad chewing habits from forming.

Make it positive:

  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Soft bedding (unless they chew bedding)

✅ 7. Frozen Teething Toys

These numb teething pain and work wonders:

  • Frozen KONG with peanut butter
  • Frozen carrot (for supervised chewing)

Cold = relief = less destructive behavior.

✅ 8. Increase Mental Stimulation

Bored brains chew.
Try:

  • Puzzle feeders
  • Treat toys
  • Training sessions (5–10 min)

Mental work tires puppies faster than running.

✅ 9. Consistency is EVERYTHING

If you sometimes allow chewing on old shoes, they’ll think ALL shoes are toys.

Be consistent.

✅ 10. Teach “Leave It”

One of the most useful commands for life.

Start with treats → graduate to household items.

🧠 Why Puppies Chew

  • Teething (2–6 months)
  • Boredom
  • Anxiety
  • Exploring environment
  • Lack of supervision

It’s normal — you’re teaching boundaries, not fighting instinct.

🚫 What NOT to Do

  • Don’t yell or smack
  • Don’t chase the puppy (makes it a game)
  • Don’t give them old socks/shoes (confusing)

Bad habits form fast at this age.

✅ You’ll Win With:

  • Redirection
  • Supervision
  • Exercise
  • Teething toys
  • Patience

Most puppies grow out of destructive chewing by 6–12 months when trained properly.