Is your puppy chewing everything in sight? Don’t fret. We’ve asked Lucy Breytenbach from Just Dogs Behaviour to share her insights with us into why puppies love to chew and how you can help curb the habit.

Why do puppies love to chew?

Puppies can teeth for up to six months! When teething their gums can become red and swollen and this can be very itchy and uncomfortable. So how does a puppy deal with this itchiness? They chew, of course! Just like a baby with a teething ring, the pressure effect of biting down on some textures relieves the discomfort.

The most soothing textures for a teething puppy to bite down on are:

• Rubber
• Silicone
• Wood
• Leather
• Ice
• Rope

Chewing is also a natural stress release for dogs. It helps them to relax. So it may not be a surprise to hear that puppies will most likely chew when they are left alone, or under any kind of mental stress. They need an outlet for how they are feeling as well as something to help their itchy gums. Not to mention it is FUN to destroy stuff!

How can you help a puppy who needs to chew?

Quite simply: give them something to chew. Ensure your puppy has access to items that are designed for them to chew when they need them.

Invest in some great chew toys

There are some fabulous toys made of the textures above that can be filled with food and even frozen for extra relief. See the full range of toys available at Absolute Pets (either online or in-store). Kongs or Kong-style toys that can be filled and frozen are fabulous, durable chewing toys for puppies (see the full Kong range here).

Hooves (that have been soaked so there are no sharp edges), sinew chews and marrow bones are also great chewable treats which your puppy will love (see the full range of chews available at Absolute Pets).

Encourage your puppy to pick a chew toy rather than your household items!

If your puppy picks something else to chew on, such as your shoe, don’t chase the puppy around to get it back a they will think it’s a game and make the wrong association. Rather go and grab an appropriate toy or food chew and play around with it to create curiosity. When your puppy comes to see what you have, swap the item for the toy in a fun and friendly manner. Make sure you give your puppy lots of praise and fun for chewing on the appropriate items, and no attention for chewing on inappropriate items.

Never tell your puppy off for chewing something

Getting cross with your puppy for chewing something often draws attention to that article and actually entices them to chew on it more often (even if that attention was negative).

Puppy-proof your home

It is always wise to puppy-proof your home and make sure all items that your puppy likes to chew on, but shouldn't, are out of reach. Think about items your puppy likes to chew on, and see if you can give a similar alternative. If there is a particular item or area that your puppy keeps returning to, such as a skirting board or table leg, it is best to barricade this area off temporarily so as not to reinforce the habit, or add something such as cayenne pepper or shop-bought specialised sprays such as Avert, Get Off and Footsak.

Some puppies also like the feeling of skin in their mouths, it gives a similar feeling to rubber for them. It is important that you do not play with your puppy with your hands, it may be cute but it will teach your puppy that your hand is something they can chew on!

Be patient

A chewing puppy takes time to teach, they will make mistakes as they learn what is theirs to chew, and what is yours. Be patient and consistent!

Get in touch

Should you need any help, or feel the chewing has got out of hand, get in touch with a qualified animal behaviourist. A big thanks to Lucy Breytenbach from Just Dogs Behaviour for sharing her tips with us!

And remember, we are also here to help, so visit your local Absolute Pets store or get in touch with us online or on Facebook.