That little furry face is soooo cute – but the chewing and destroying of personal items has got to stop.  Chewing is a normal activity for puppies, and even some adult dogs, but how do we get them to chew only their chew toys? There are several tips and tricks you can use to teach your puppy what he can and cannot chew. It takes patience and consistency, but it can be done.

One effective training tip is to have an acceptable chew toy or other item readily available at all times to substitute for the “bad” item you catch the puppy chewing. Anytime you catch the puppy chewing something you don’t want him to, calmly replace that item with a chew toy. If the puppy tries to bite your fingers, place the chew toy in his mouth. Don’t use any type of old clothing or old socks for the puppies chew toy. This will only confuse him in the process of teaching him what is acceptable to chew, and what is not.

Another effective tip If you see your puppy chewing something he shouldn’t is to make a sharp sound like a yip or bark, a loud “no”, or even a loud clap of your hands to get his attention, then replace the item with an acceptable chew toy. Always use the same sound when you catch him, so he will always associate that sound as a demand to stop. Never hit or slap the puppy to get his attention. If you see the puppy choose an appropriate item to chew on, be sure to pet and praise him.

Until the puppy has been trained, do not let him roam freely around your home. Keep him in a confined area with several appropriate things to chew. A dog crate is a great place to contain the puppy when he is unsupervised. Dog’s like to have their own “den” area, so once he is familiar with his dog crate, he will be happy when confined to that space. There are several types of chew toys available, including flavored rawhide. There are even toys where a treat can be hidden inside to keep your dog occupied while trying to extricate the treat. Give your puppy a variety of choices to keep him entertained while in his crate. This will get him used to the items he should be chewing.

Some dogs chew because they are lonely or bored. Make sure you exercise and play with your puppy daily. A good game to play, that will also reinforce the non-chewing training,  is to fill an area with acceptable and forbidden items. Watch the puppy, and when he chooses a forbidden item, use your sound (the yip, “no” or clap) and remove the item from him and replace with an acceptable chew toy. When he chooses an appropriate item, pet and praise him. Spending 1o minutes a day, playing this game with your new puppy, will teach him quickly, and reinforce the other training you are providing.

There are products on the market that can be spray on furniture, door moldings or other items that attract your dog to chew. These sprays leave a bitter taste on the item. This will discourage your puppy from chewing where you have sprayed.

You must insure your puppy’s safety at all times. Do not buy chew toys with squeakers or pieces that can be chewed off and cause choking. Teaching your puppy what is appropriate to chew can protect him from chewing things such as electrical cords, poisonous plants and even inappropriate “people” food such as chocolate. These items can be a major threat to the safety of any pet.

Chewing is a natural and healthy behavior of a dog. It is one way they learn about their new world. By training your puppy what is appropriate to chew, you will not only save your personal items from destruction, but also keep your puppy safe. You can enjoy that sooooo cute face for many happy years