LMU GOLDENS - Chewing Tips

Now accepting applications for our Gypsy & Zeke's upcoming 2025 litter! Apply today to reserve your spot!

Understanding and Managing Puppy Chewing

Puppies explore and learn about their world by chewing and digging. I often compare them to three- to four-month-old human infants—everything goes into their mouth as a way of understanding new experiences. Chewing is completely natural and expected in young dogs.

In addition to curiosity, puppies may chew out of boredom or because they have too much pent-up energy. If their physical or mental needs are not being met, they will often turn to chewing as a release.

As a responsible puppy parent, you can help reduce unwanted chewing through a combination of prevention, redirection, and positive training. The two most effective ways to manage chewing are ensuring adequate exercise and providing appropriate chew toys. Training also plays a valuable role in reinforcing what is and is not acceptable.

Here are a few helpful tips to manage chewing behavior.

Choosing and Using Chew Toys

Puppies need appropriate outlets for chewing, and I always encourage families to keep a variety of chew toys available. Providing the right toys not only supports healthy development but also helps protect your belongings from curious puppy mouths.

Here are some tips I share with new puppy families:

Always Have Chew Toys Available
Your puppy should have access to chew toys in their crate, designated rest area, or room. I also recommend keeping one or two chew toys in common areas of the home. This way, your puppy always has a safe and appropriate option, and they are less likely to chew furniture, shoes, or other personal items.
Offer a Variety of Textures and Types
Do not purchase several toys that are all the same. Instead, select an assortment. I recommend mixing soft squeaky toys, canvas squeaky toys, rope toys, and long-lasting chews like Denta-Sticks or durable chew bones. This variety helps keep your puppy interested and reduces the temptation to chew on inappropriate items out of boredom.
Include a Few Safe Household Items
Puppies also enjoy common household items, as long as they are safe. A crinkly empty water bottle (with the cap and ring removed), a clean sock tied in a knot, or a tennis ball can all be fun, supervised options. These add novelty without risk.
Be Cautious with Stuffed Toys
If you choose to give your puppy a stuffed animal, please be consistent. Dogs do not know the difference between their toy and a child’s beloved stuffed companion. If your children are willing to share, that is perfectly fine, but it should be a family decision.

Additionally, choose stuffed toys carefully. Avoid anything filled with “beans” or plastic pellets, and make sure the eyes are sewn on securely rather than plastic, which can pose a choking hazard.

By providing engaging, safe chew toys and supervising play, you are helping your puppy develop good habits that will last a lifetime.

Pick Up and Puppy-Proof

When your puppy is out and about, anything within reach may seem like a toy. I always remind families that it is important to keep tempting or unsafe items off the floor unless you are actively supervising your puppy.

Items that should be picked up include, but are not limited to:

Shoes
Candles
Pens and markers
Paper or mail
Children’s toys
Cups or mugs
Anything your puppy seems interested in or tempted by

Taking these simple steps will help prevent accidents, protect your belongings, and support safe, healthy exploration for your new puppy.

Playing With Your Puppy

Play is not only fun, but it is essential for a puppy’s development and your bond with them. Below are a few tips I always share with new families to help structure playtime and reinforce good habits:

Schedule Daily One-on-One Play
Every puppy should receive at least 30 minutes of individual playtime with you each day. This time helps build trust, strengthens your bond, and gives your puppy an important physical and mental outlet. As your puppy grows, adjust the length and intensity of play based on their age and energy level.
Redirect During Play
Puppies are a lot like toddlers. They need redirection during play to learn what is appropriate. Watch your puppy closely and be ready to guide their behavior with calm, clear cues.
Interrupt Inappropriate Chewing
If your puppy begins chewing on something they should not, calmly remove the item, use a gentle verbal correction, and immediately offer a toy or chew they are allowed to have. This teaches boundaries while providing an acceptable alternative.
Reward Good Choices
When your puppy chooses an appropriate toy, be sure to praise them. A kind word, a cheerful tone, or a small treat will reinforce the behavior. Positive reinforcement helps your puppy learn what is expected and encourages good decision-making.

Through consistent, kind guidance and intentional play, your puppy will learn not only how to have fun but how to do so respectfully and joyfully.

Alternative Training Techniques

While most puppies respond well to redirection and positive reinforcement, some may need a little more help focusing. If your puppy does not respond to verbal cues alone, you may consider a gentle, non-harmful method to redirect their attention. These tools should never be used as punishment, but rather as a means to interrupt unwanted behavior and regain your puppy’s focus.

Using a Spray Bottle

A spray bottle filled with clean water can be an effective tool for some puppies. It should always be set to a wide mist, never a direct jet stream. If your puppy is chewing on something inappropriate and verbal correction has not worked, a light spray to the face may startle them just enough to break their focus.

Please note that this method does not work on all puppies. Some, like a few of mine, may enjoy the water and view it as a reward rather than a correction. If your puppy enjoys water, this method will likely be ineffective and should be replaced with another redirection tool.

Using a Fly Swatter (for Sound Only)

Another method involves using a fly swatter, not to touch or hit your puppy, but to make a quick noise by tapping the wall or floor near them. The sound can create just enough of a surprise to pull their attention away from what they are doing and toward you.

Once you have your puppy’s attention, calmly say “no” and offer an appropriate chew toy or activity. This gentle redirection helps reinforce what is acceptable while teaching your puppy that your guidance is worth listening to. Every puppy is different. Some will need only a gentle reminder, while others may need more structured techniques. Always choose tools that support trust, build positive associations, and encourage respectful behavior without fear.

When Puppies Play Keep Away

It is not uncommon for puppies to grab something they should not have and turn it into a game of “keep away.” Smaller puppies often dart under furniture or into corners, and it can become quite a challenge to retrieve the item and redirect their behavior.

If your puppy runs from you when you try to take something away, the first goal is to remain calm and avoid turning it into a chase. If possible, try to step in front of your puppy before they reach their favorite hiding spot. Often, once they realize they cannot escape, they will drop the item on their own.

Here are a few gentle strategies I recommend:

Direct Retrieval with Calm Correction
If you can reach your puppy before they drop the item, calmly remove it from their mouth and say “No” in a firm but gentle tone. Avoid yelling or chasing, as this can increase excitement and turn it into a game.
Use the Trade Game
Instead of forcing your puppy to give up the item, offer a toy or chew that they are allowed to have. Present it with enthusiasm and offer praise as they make the switch. Trading teaches them that giving up an item is not a loss, but an opportunity for something better.
Praise Positive Choices
Once your puppy is engaging with an appropriate toy, take a moment to praise them. Use a cheerful tone, petting, or even a small treat. This reinforces the idea that playing with their toys earns positive attention.

Redirecting this behavior takes time and consistency, but it is a valuable part of teaching boundaries. With patience and encouragement, your puppy will learn what is theirs and what is off-limits.

Cute Is Not Always Right

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that what may seem cute now can lead to unwanted habits down the road. Watching a puppy shred a newspaper or toss around a stuffed animal may seem harmless or even funny, but those behaviors can quickly become problematic if not redirected early.

Puppies do not know the difference between an old newspaper and important mail, or between their toy and a child’s favorite stuffed animal. That is why it is so important to set clear boundaries from the beginning. Puppies should only play with their own toys, and it is up to us to guide them kindly but firmly.

It is always easier to prevent a bad habit than to break one. What your puppy learns during these early stages will often carry into adulthood. Being consistent and proactive now will save you and your dog from frustration later on.

If you are trying these redirection techniques and still feel unsure or overwhelmed, please reach out. I am always happy to offer additional support and suggestions to help your puppy become the best version of themselves.

Google Sites

Report abuse