Shredded furniture, toy after toy, shoes, socks, towels, and blinds: puppies will chew on almost anything they can get their teeth on. And while it may seem like your puppy is just waiting for you to turn your back for just a few seconds so she can chew up your favorite socks, she doesn’t know better. In fact, chewing teaches your puppy about the world around her.
So, let’s take a bite out of this problem by exploring why puppies have an insatiable appetite for odd objects and how you can teach your dog better munching habits
Why Do Puppies Chew?
All puppies chew. Some more than others, but it’s a normal part of puppy development.
Chewing can:
- Be a sign of teething (just like human babies, chewing relieves pain and stimulates the gums)
- Help your puppy release stress and extra energy
- Relieve boredom or reduce separation anxiety
- Release pleasure endorphins in her puppy brain
- Teach her about the nature of objects (texture, weight taste, size)
Ways you Can Encourage Positive Chewing:
1. Give Your Pup Plenty of Exercise and Attention
A tired puppy is a well-behaved puppy. If you play with your bundle of fur, she can release pent up energy and will likely nap while you’re at the store rather than tear up your possessions.
2. Try Crate Training
Crate training your puppy can help her feel more secure while you’re away and keep her out of trouble. If crate training starts early, you puppy with mature into a dog that considers her crate her own bedroom and den.
3. Entice Her with Positive Chewing Opportunities with Toys
Puppies and dogs need to chew. It’s natural. Finding the right items to chew on can be as simple as keeping plenty of toys around. Try our 6-pack or 4-pack of rope toys. These will tire her out and the playful interaction with you will encourage her to choose these toys over non-toys.
Our dog plush toys are also an excellent choice to add variety and the squeak makes them extra exciting! Putting them up when you’re done playing teaches your puppy when it’s time to play and when it’s time to calm down.
After a few weeks, your puppy will develop positive chewing behaviors. So, stick with it. And be patient. You can even go a step further as she matures by offering her a treat when she drops an object you don’t want her to munch on.
