If you have a dog that likes to chew furniture, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this is a reality that many dog owners will need to face at some point, so let’s go over some of the top things you should know if you’re in this situation.
Understanding Your Dog
Before we get started and discuss the things you should consider if your dog is chewing furniture, let’s start with the basics: getting to know your dog.
Knowing your dog’s likes and dislikes, as well as habits and inclinations, will be immensely helpful for so many different reasons. By better understanding your dog, you can provide for their needs and decode the information that their behavior is giving you.
Before thinking about ways to stop your dog from chewing furniture, start by thinking about the things that you do know about your four-legged friend. Is there a specific toy that they like chewing? Do they tend to chew more if they haven’t gone on a walk that day? Is there a specific piece of furniture that they seem to be drawn to?
Answering these questions can be a great way to make sure that you have the background information required to make your training ventures a success.
Reasons for Furniture Chewing
Let’s go over some of the top reasons why your dog may be chewing furniture. Keep in mind that every dog is unique and every situation is different – what works for one dog owner and dog pair may not work for another, so make sure that you’re remaining patient and making any necessary adjustments. As always, it’s important to remain calm and be sure that you’re giving your dog the attention and support it needs to form better habits.
Boredom and Lack of Stimulation
One of the biggest reasons why a dog may chew furniture is simple: they’re bored.
By providing your dog with the right level of mental stimulation, you can be sure that they’re getting their energy out. Dogs should be exercised on a daily basis, though this can look different depending on the dog.
If your dog has started chewing furniture, one of the first things that you should assess is their exercise routine. Make sure that you’re getting the right amount of walks in, so that your dog has time to explore outside.
Another great way to make sure that your dog isn’t bored is making sure that they have enough things to sniff. This can be as simple as taking your dog outside and letting them explore the scents of your neighborhood. Letting your dog sniff around can be a great form of mental stimulation and it can make them feel more confident in their surroundings.
Natural Chewing Instincts
Dogs are natural chewers. It’s extremely important that dogs have things that are okay for them to chew. Finding appropriate options for your dog to play with and chew is a great way to make sure that your dog is able to fulfill their instincts in a way that’s not harmful to anything (including your favorite recliner!).
If you don’t currently have any toys that your dog can chew on, consider going to the pet store today and getting some toys your dog will love. Doing this is a great investment and one that could end up saving your furniture, so don’t wait to go pick up everything you need for your dog to chew in appropriate ways.
Health and Dental Checks
There are so many reasons why a dog can chew furniture and some of them are more serious than others. The unfortunate reality is that if your dog is chewing furniture, there may be an underlying health cause.
Taking your dog to the vet is a great way to make sure that there isn’t another reason why your dog has started with its new habit. Your vet will be able to take a look at your dog’s teeth and may be able to provide you with some more specific recommendations for your situation.
Furniture Protection Solutions
If your dog has started chewing furniture, know that you have many different options. There are obedience techniques that you can learn that will encourage your dog to chew on its toys instead of your new couch. Below are some options to consider if you’re in this situation.
Better Toys
As we mentioned before, it’s important to make sure that your dog has toys that are okay to chew on. Finding durable toys can be challenging, but will be completely worth it when your dog feels they have an appropriate option.
If you’re not sure which toys may be the right choice for a dog who loves to chew, consider stopping by your local pet store and asking if they have any recommendations.
Behavioral Modifications
There are many different training techniques that you can consider if your dog has started chewing furniture. One of the most important things when it comes to training your dog is that you start as soon as possible.
If you have a puppy, then time is on your side! However, if you have an older dog, it still is most likely possible that they can be trained. Consider calling a trainer or doing some research online to learn more about your different options (reading this article is a great place to start!).
Exercise
We already touched on this, but it’s important to make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Creating an exercise routine is a great way to be sure that you’re on the right track and that your dog isn’t bored and chewing your furniture because of that.
Wrapping Up
We hope that this guide has been helpful if your dog is chewing your furniture. Make sure to remain patient and calm when negative behaviors occur. As always, feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our mission.
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