Chewing is a common issue in dogs, big and small. Young dogs use their mouths to explore the world around them, much like babies. Like babies, young dogs also experience irritated gums at around four to six months of age as their adult teeth erupt, making chewing more prevalent during this time.

Chewing becomes a problem when dogs chew inappropriate objects such as your shoes, sofas, furniture and other household items not designed for chewing! This type of behaviour is not only annoying and destructive but can cause health issues for the dog if they ingest a foreign object.

In the case of nuisance chewing, prevention is better than cure, the following steps will work for both puppy and adult dogs, however the earlier you start the better the results. Adult dogs will require more time to stop nuisance chewing behaviour as it has had time to become ingrained, but if you persevere you will soon get your house and belongings back!

Step 1 - Rule out any medical problems

Before you begin retraining make sure your dog is healthy. Nutritional deficiencies and parasites can cause pica which can manifest as nuisance chewing. Nausea due to gastrointestinal upset can also trigger chewing as a coping mechanism, so rule these out first.

Step 2 - Dog proof your house

Retraining may take a little time, so remove any objects which might trigger chewing and add to your annoyance factor. As training progresses, you can start reintroducing favourite chew objects such as your shoes as a test (although read Step 4 first!)

Step 3 - Encourage appropriate chewing

If you have a puppy make sure they have access to appropriate chew toys, such as hard rubber chew toys, rope pulls or teething sticks. Another option for providing appropriate chew toys are treat balls or KONG toys, which you can stuff with treats, these minimise boredom whilst also triggering your dog's natural foraging instincts.

If you have an adult dog, provide chew toys in the form of pigs ears or other hard to chew animal products, natural bones can be given raw however ensure they are given whilst the dog is supervised as they can splinter.

Step 4 - Discourage inappropriate chewing behaviour

If you see your dog chewing an object which is inappropriate, immediately take away the object and redirect the dog's attention to an appropriate chew object. This is an effective, yet gentle way to ensure the dog is learning correct behavior.

A lot of dogs will get into more mischief when the owner is away or not looking. Your sofa cushions or the dog bed are often the first point of comfort for a determined dog, the most effective way to prevent this chewing behaviour is to use a taste deterrent. Bitter sprays and gels which don't stain your belongings have been shown to deter dogs from returning to the object.

Step 5 - Reduce Boredom & Play with your Dog

Nuisance chewing can be a result of boredom or too much energy - a tired dog is a good dog. That doesn't mean they need to go for a 10km run every day but a daily walk is essential and providing some mental stimulation will also help, playing a game of fetch or 10 minutes of basic command training will tire your dog out much more quickly than a run.

Combine the above steps to stop nuisance chewing in its tracks. Remember, dogs need constant reinforcement of good behaviour so always reward your dog when you see the opportunity.