Puppies chew. It’s what they do. They’re teething, exploring their world with their mouths, and learning about the food chain through observation.
However, some puppies are more prone to chewing than others because of breed or personality traits.
How long will my puppy chew on things? That depends! Like with everything in life, there are many variables involved: your pup’s age, genetics, and environment all play a role in how much time he spends munching on things around the house.
But don’t worry! We’ve got some tips for managing your pup’s chewing habits so that no one gets hurt (or pissed off).
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Understanding the duration of the puppy chewing phase helps manage expectations. |
| Puppies may continue to chew on things until their adult teeth fully develop. |
| Providing appropriate chew toys and regular exercise can help redirect their chewing behavior. |
| Puppy chewing is a natural instinct and part of their exploration and teething process. |
| Consistent training and positive reinforcement are key in teaching puppies what is acceptable to chew on. |
Why Do Puppies Chew On Things?
Puppies chew because they are teething. They need to chew on something in order to relieve the pain of their teeth coming in.
In addition, puppies will chew on things simply because they are curious about their environment and want to explore it.
Puppies are not born with a lot of knowledge about the world around them, so chewing can be an important way for them to learn about new things and feel more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.
Puppies also chew for attention from their owners, who often provide treats when puppies do something cute or funny (like chewing on shoes). This encourages the puppy’s behavior even more!
When it comes to puppy chewing habits, it’s important to understand what they can safely chew on. Check out our article on whether a puppy can chew on a toothbrush to learn about suitable chew options and dental care for your furry friend.
How Long Will My Puppy Chew On Things?
Puppies are born with a natural desire to chew, and this is completely normal. But that doesn’t mean you should allow your puppy to chew on everything they can get their paws on!
How long will my puppy chew on things? It depends on the dog and its personality. Some dogs never outgrow chewing, while others grow out of it quickly.
If you’re wondering “how long will my dog chew?”, an important consideration is whether this behavior has been encouraged by the owner or not.
If you’ve been giving treats for house training or encouraging your dog to play games with toys in order to keep them busy and away from other household items like shoes or remote controls, then chances are good that it won’t be too difficult for your pup to give up this bad habit once they realize there are better ways they could spend their time than chewing up everything in sight!
| Age Range | Chewing Behavior |
|---|---|
| 8-12 weeks | Puppies explore the world through chewing behaviors. |
| 3-6 months | Chewing may intensify as puppies teethe and adult teeth erupt. |
| 6-12 months | Chewing habits start to decrease as puppies mature. |
| Breed Factors | Some breeds may have a longer chewing phase than others. |
| Individual Variations | Duration of chewing behavior can vary for each puppy. |
When Should I Be Concerned That My Puppy Is Chewing Too Much?
Your puppy will likely chew on things as a natural part of their development, but there are some instances where you may be concerned about it. Some signs that your pup might need help include:
- They have an object in their mouth for longer than 20 minutes straight.
- The object is not edible or digestible (such as a toy).
What Can I Do To Manage Or Stop My Puppy’s Excessive Chewing?
There are lots of things you can do to manage or stop your puppy’s excessive chewing.
Use a crate or pen to keep your puppy safe. If you have a new puppy, consider using a crate or pen when you’re away from home for extended periods of time. This way, no one gets hurt by your furry little friend’s “research.”
Switch to a more appropriate chew toy. Chew toys like bully sticks and pig ears are made specifically for tough chewers, so if your pup seems insistent upon destroying everything in sight (including their own toys), try switching them out with one that actually works!
Use a spray bottle filled with water or vinegar as an interesting alternative to just yelling at them when they go after something they shouldn’t but be careful not to make the mistake of spraying it too close because that could cause some serious damage!
You can also use an air horn as long as there aren’t any loud noises around; this will get their attention right away but may also scare some people so be careful about where/when using these items might come into play when dealing with other pets/people around who might not appreciate such loud noises going off unexpectedly!
Or maybe even better yet: how about buying those cheap plastic squirt guns found at dollar stores? They work amazingly well too!”
Curious about the weight of Bichon puppies? Our comprehensive guide on how much a Bichon puppy weighs provides valuable insights into the growth and development of these adorable companions, helping you ensure their overall well-being.
Redirect Your Puppy’s Chewy Behavior
Chew toys are a great way to redirect your dog’s attention away from your things and onto something they can’t destroy.
If your puppy is chewing on furniture, try giving him some toys that are appropriate for his level of training and development.
When you’re not around, put away any items that you don’t want him to chew on as well. Even if he doesn’t seem interested in them now, leaving them out could lead to unwanted destruction later on when he becomes bored or anxious without you there to entertain him with games or activities like fetch or tug-of-war.
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Provide Chew Toys | Offer durable and appropriate chew toys for your puppy to enjoy. |
| Interactive Toys | Engage your puppy with interactive toys to redirect their chewing. |
| Frozen Treats | Give frozen treats or toys to soothe teething discomfort. |
| Positive Reinforcement | Reward and praise your puppy when they chew on appropriate items. |
| Supervision | Monitor your puppy closely to redirect their chewing to approved items. |
Remove Temptation
The key to breaking a bad habit is avoiding temptation. Don’t leave things out that you don’t want your puppy to chew on, and make sure he has plenty of toys to keep him occupied when you aren’t around.
If your puppy does find something he shouldn’t chew on, say “no” firmly and give him an appropriate toy instead.
If your pup does get into trouble with chewing, don’t punish him; instead, remove the item from his reach until he’s ready to be responsible with it (or replace it with a dog-safe version).
If necessary, put all items up high so they can’t be reached by mischievous paws, and make sure that any furniture or shoes aren’t within reach as well!
Create A Safe Chew Zone
To create a safe chew zone, first, make sure you have a designated place where your puppy can play without the risk of destroying furniture or getting into things he shouldn’t.
If you don’t have any spare space in your home, consider using a crate or baby gate to separate an area of your house from the rest.
This is especially important if you have young children in the house who may not be able to keep track of their toys and other belongings.
Next, create an environment that is free of toxic items that could hurt your dog if ingested. Check out this list of dangerous foods for dogs and follow these tips on how to keep those items away from your pup:
Puppies go through various stages of dental development. To understand the timeline and milestones, explore our informative article on how long it takes for puppies to get all their teeth. Discover the fascinating journey of your puppy’s teeth and how it relates to their chewing behavior.
Teach Your Pup To Follow Your Cue When Picking Up An Item
A well-trained dog will follow your cue when you ask him to pick up something he’s chewing. Teach this behavior by using a rubber toy or stick that’s easy for him to grab (many pups are more interested in the tugging than what they’re actually holding) and saying “leave it,” then releasing the object.
If he drops it, praise enthusiastically and offers another object to play with while you repeat this process several times over the course of several days.
Once your pup grasps the concept of following your cue when asked, try practicing with his toys until he understands why this game is so fun!
Teach “Leave It” And “Drop It.”
To prevent your puppy from chewing on things she shouldn’t, you should teach her to leave, drop and drop it.
Teach “leave it” by showing the item to your puppy, saying “leave it,” then moving the item away from her mouth gently with one hand while holding a treat in your other hand.
Give the treat when she drops or releases whatever she’s been chewing on. Practice this several times so that your puppy understands what you want her to do when she hears “Leave It.”
Then, teach her not only to leave items alone but also to drop them once they’ve been removed from her mouth by rewarding any attempt at dropping them rather than putting them down gently yourself (if possible).
Don’t give up if this takes some time it’s very important that you continue working with this command until it becomes habitual for your dog!
Once your dog has gotten used to these commands and learned that they mean something positive (a reward), add in “Drop It” so that she knows how much more fun it is for everyone if she does as told instead of taking food away from others or keeping toys for herself forever!
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Leave It | Train your dog to resist engaging with or picking up items on command. |
| Drop It | Teach your dog to release or let go of an item they have in their mouth. |
| Positive Reinforcement | Use rewards and praise to reinforce desired behaviors. |
| Consistency | Be consistent in your training approach and cues. |
| Repetition | Practice the commands regularly for better retention and obedience. |
Praise Your Pup For Playing With Appropriate Toys
Praise your pup when they chew on appropriate items. In other words, if they’re gnawing on an antler or a rope toy and not your favorite pair of shoes, let them know how happy you are that they enjoy the toys they do!
Praising your pup is a great way to show them which behaviors are okay to engage in and which aren’t.
Don’t praise them when they chew on inappropriate items. It may be tempting to give your puppy a lot of attention for chewing on something like an old slipper or plastic toy after all, it’s just so cute!
But this is actually bad for the puppy: it reinforces their behavior as acceptable (i.e., “I get praised for chewing things”) and encourages them to continue doing so until their teeth get too long or their gums become inflamed (or both).
Instead of sharing affectionate words when your pup chews something inappropriate, remove him/her from his/her task immediately and redirect him/her toward more appropriate choices such as another dog toy or even just some tasty treats (you can read more about why treats are important here).
Training and managing a puppy’s behavior is crucial, and understanding how to tie them out safely is an essential skill. Our easy-to-follow guide on how to tie out a puppy provides step-by-step instructions and valuable tips to ensure your puppy’s safety and well-being while outdoors.
Give Your Dog Appropriate Outlets For Chewing
You may be wondering, “How long will my puppy chew on things?” The answer is likely, “As long as they want to.” Puppies are teething and biting is simply what they do.
The good news: There are ways to help mitigate their destructive tendencies.
First, give them appropriate outlets for chewing. Give your dog toys and bones that are meant for chewing so that he doesn’t go after your furniture or other items in your home.
Also teach him how to chew on his toys instead of other things like shoes or furniture legs by saying ‘no’ when he begins to bite down on something inappropriate and providing positive reinforcement when he chews on a toy instead (i.e., praise him).
Some dogs need a rawhide bone while others prefer bully sticks; some need something softer such as a chew toy or even an old tennis ball that can work well too!
Keep Pup From Being Over-Tired
Puppies are like little kids. They need a lot of attention and they can only hold so much at a time. Try to give them plenty of playtimes outside, or if you don’t want your puppy chewing on your furniture, then don’t leave them alone with it.
Is your dog still a puppy or has it entered adulthood? Identifying the stage of your dog’s life can help you provide appropriate care and training. Learn how to determine if your dog is still a puppy with our insightful article on how to tell if your dog is still a puppy, and adapt your approach accordingly to foster a healthy relationship.
Conclusion
Remember, chewing is completely normal for puppies. As your puppy grows, it will become more and more important to find ways to redirect her chewy behavior into something that’s less destructive and more constructive.
That way, you can keep the items in your home safe from being destroyed by your new best friend!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you can explore for further reading on managing puppy chewing behavior:
Stop Your Dog’s Chewing: The Humane Society provides helpful tips and strategies to stop your dog from destructive chewing, including redirecting their behavior and providing appropriate chew toys.
Dog Stop Chewing: Spirit Dog Training offers insights into why dogs chew and provides guidance on how to prevent and redirect chewing behavior through positive reinforcement training techniques.
How to Survive the Puppy Chewing Phase: Monster K9’s blog post offers practical tips and tricks to manage the puppy chewing phase, including providing suitable chew toys, supervision, and proper training techniques.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about puppy chewing and their answers:
Q: Why do puppies chew on things?
Puppies chew on things to explore their environment, relieve teething discomfort, and satisfy their natural urge to chew. It’s a normal part of their development.
Q: How can I prevent my puppy from chewing on inappropriate items?
To prevent inappropriate chewing, provide your puppy with plenty of suitable chew toys, keep valuable items out of reach, supervise them closely, and redirect their chewing behavior to appropriate toys.
Q: What if my puppy chews on furniture or other valuable items?
If your puppy starts chewing on furniture or valuable items, interrupt their behavior with a firm “no” and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. Reinforce positive behavior and consider using deterrent sprays on items they’re attracted to.
Q: Is it okay to give my puppy bones to chew on?
Not all bones are safe for puppies to chew on. Avoid cooked bones or small, splinter-prone bones. Instead, opt for appropriate chew toys designed for puppies and consult with your veterinarian for suitable options.
Q: How long does the puppy chewing phase typically last?
The puppy chewing phase can vary, but it usually lasts until the puppy’s adult teeth fully come in, around 6 to 9 months of age. However, each puppy is different, and individual training and management can influence the duration of this phase.
I’m Dr. Hellen James, a professional veterinarian with a deep interest in the ways that litter size affects the health of animals. I’ve spent years studying this subject and performing research on reproduction in many different kinds of creatures.
