A chewed chair leg, shredded cushion or missing thong is frustrating, but it is rarely your dog being spiteful. Effective dog chewing solutions start by recognising that chewing is a normal canine need. The goal is not to stop it completely. It is to give your dog appropriate things to chew, remove tempting targets and build a routine that keeps boredom at bay.
For Australian households, the best approach is practical: protect the items you value, make the right choice easier for your dog and stay consistent. A few sensible changes can save your furniture, reduce household stress and help your dog settle more comfortably at home.
Why dogs chew the wrong things
Puppies chew because their mouths are developing and teething can be uncomfortable. They also investigate the world with their mouths, so table legs, shoes and children’s toys can become instant targets. Adult dogs may chew for different reasons, including boredom, excess energy, frustration or simply because they have learned that chewing a certain item feels rewarding.
Some dogs are most destructive when left alone. That does not automatically mean separation anxiety, but it can point to a dog that needs more gradual alone-time training, more enrichment before you leave, or a calmer set-up in the house. If chewing begins suddenly in an adult dog, is intense, or comes with changes in appetite, mood or toileting, speak with your vet. Pain and stress can change behaviour.
The important distinction is this: a dog does not understand that your expensive sneaker has a higher value than a suitable chew item. It only knows what feels good to bite, pull and carry. Management matters just as much as training.
Dog chewing solutions begin with better choices
The fastest way to reduce damage is to make suitable chewing options available before your dog starts looking for their own. Keep a small rotation of safe, dog-appropriate chew items rather than leaving the same item out all day, every day. Rotating options helps maintain interest and can make a familiar chew feel new again.
Choose products based on your dog’s size, age and chewing style. A gentle puppy needs a different option from a determined adult that can make short work of softer materials. Anything too small can become a choking hazard, while an item that is too hard may risk tooth damage. Check the product guidance, supervise early use and remove anything that becomes cracked, loose or small enough to swallow.
Avoid offering old shoes, socks or household rags as substitutes. Even if they seem harmless, they teach your dog that certain household fabrics are fair game. That makes it harder for them to tell the difference between a permitted old slipper and the pair you wear to work.
When you offer an appropriate chew, make it worthwhile. Give it to your dog when they naturally want to settle, such as after a walk, during a quiet afternoon or when visitors arrive. Calm praise can reinforce the choice without turning the moment into a big event.
Match the outlet to the moment
A high-energy dog may need activity before it can focus on chewing calmly. A quick toilet break alone is not always enough, especially for active breeds or younger dogs. A sniff-filled walk, a short training session or a game in the yard can take the edge off before you ask them to settle inside.
For dogs that chew when the household gets busy, a designated resting spot can help. Set up a comfortable bed or mat away from foot traffic, then offer an approved chew item there. Over time, that space can become a reliable signal that it is time to relax.
Protect your home while habits are forming
Training works best when your dog cannot rehearse the behaviour you want to stop. Every successful raid on the laundry basket or every satisfying bite of the coffee table reinforces the habit. For the first few weeks, think prevention rather than perfection.
Put shoes in cupboards, keep remote controls out of reach and close doors to rooms with tempting furniture. Use covered baskets or cupboards for children’s toys, especially soft toys that can look very similar to dog toys. If your dog is drawn to cords, keep cables concealed and inaccessible. Electrical cords are not just expensive to replace - they are dangerous.
A pen, baby gate or suitably sized safe area can be useful when you cannot actively supervise. This should not feel like punishment. Set the space up with water, bedding and an appropriate activity, and introduce it positively. The right arrangement depends on your dog. Some settle well in a smaller area, while others are calmer with access to one dog-proofed room.
If you catch your dog chewing something unsuitable, stay calm. Quietly trade the item for an approved alternative, then praise them when they take it. Chasing, yelling or physically pulling objects away can turn the situation into a game or make your dog guard items more closely.
Build a routine that reduces boredom
Many chewing problems are really routine problems. Dogs need a mix of movement, connection, rest and mental stimulation. A dog left with too little to do will often create its own job, and skirting boards are unlikely to survive the shift.
A reliable daily rhythm does not need to be complicated. Aim for appropriate exercise, a few minutes of basic training and quiet enrichment at times your dog is likely to be alone. Short sessions count. Practising sit, wait, come and settle for five minutes can be more mentally tiring than people expect.
Food-based enrichment can also slow a dog down and give them something constructive to do, provided it suits their normal diet and is used safely. Check ingredients carefully, account for extra calories and avoid leaving food items unattended if your dog tends to gulp or tear apart objects.
Dogs also benefit from predictable departures and arrivals. Before leaving home, avoid making your exit overly dramatic. Give your dog a calm activity, leave without fuss and keep greetings low-key when you return. This helps make alone time feel ordinary rather than a major event.
Do not rely on one solution
A chew toy alone may not solve a problem caused by long periods without exercise. More walks may not solve a puppy that is teething and has access to every shoe in the hallway. The most reliable results come from combining the right chewing outlet with management, routine and patient training.
It also helps to consider timing. If damage happens only overnight, your dog may need a safer sleeping arrangement. If it happens during the school run or workday, look at what occurs just before you leave and how long your dog is alone. A simple note on when, where and what your dog chews can reveal a clear pattern within a week.
When professional support is worth it
Seek qualified help if your dog is injuring themselves, swallowing non-food items, showing panic when left alone or becoming aggressive when approached near objects. Your vet can rule out health concerns and advise on the next step. A force-free, qualified behaviour professional can then help you create a plan tailored to your dog and household.
Early support is especially useful for severe separation-related behaviour. Leaving a dog to “get used to it” can make genuine distress worse. A gradual, well-managed plan is kinder and more effective.
Make the better choice easy
The best dog chewing solutions are not about winning a battle with your pet. They are about setting up your home so your dog has safe, satisfying choices and fewer chances to make costly mistakes. Start with one protected room, one suitable chew option and one predictable daily settling time, then build from there.
For practical everyday pet care options, browse Aussies Premium Store’s pet care collection. A small change today can mean a calmer dog, safer belongings and a home that feels much easier to live in tomorrow.