Dogs, like human babies, use their mouths to explore the world around them. Expect puppies to chew, and anticipate taking time to teach what is acceptable and what is not. How do you stop your puppy from chewing?

• Keep your home and yard neat. The best way to prevent your puppy from chewing things is to keep them out of reach. Books, shoes and electronics are all fair game as far as your puppy is concerned. If your puppy is getting plenty of exercise and is well adjusted, the chewing phase won’t last long.
• Provide quality chewing items. Give your puppy toys that can be stuffed with treats, crunchy food treats and chew toys made from various materials. Your puppy will select his favorites, and having a selection to choose from reduces the chances he will seek out other materials.
• Allow plenty of people time. If your puppy spends a great deal of time in his crate or outside by himself, it will be difficult for him to learn the rules. Keep him with you as much as possible. If he shows interest in chewing on a forbidden object, gently redirect his attention to a chew toy.

Chewing by Older Dogs

A mature dog that starts chewing is a different situation. When a dog with no history of chewing begins to chew destructively, it is often due to lifestyle changes. He may have too much energy, be anxious or nervous or be spending too much time alone.

• Make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise. Many people mistakenly believe that if their dog is out in a fenced yard all day, he doesn't need additional exercise. While this may be true with some breeds, most require focused exercise every day or they will find their own way to use up extra energy. This may be by digging, barking or chewing. Playing fetch is great to tire a dog out quickly, or you can try taking him for daily walks.
• Stimulate him mentally. Even a dog that is naturally lazy requires some mental stimulation. Without it, dogs may develop bad habits out of boredom. Spending 10 or 15 minutes training your dog can provide a great deal of mental relief. It doesn’t matter if you train your dog in competitive obedience or how to roll over and play dead; the idea is to spend time with your pet where his total focus is on you.

Chewing can be a frustrating habit, but with patience and persistence, it can be overcome. Removing opportunities for your pet to chew and spending time with him in a variety of ways are the best strategies to redirect the chewing urge.