Dogs that chew are likely to become more destructive. Although it may seem innocent and cute, a chewing habit can expand to preposterous proportions, and could be one reason a dog may be seeking a new home after he's become unwanted in his current home.

Regardless of a dog's age, it is possible to stop a chewing habit in its tracks by exercising these easy steps:

Provide chewing alternatives

Your puppy is going to chew. It is the nature of the canine. Shoes, furniture, baseboards, electrical cords, etc. are inappropriate. Toys are appropriate.

This is critical for puppies, but also important for older dogs.

Provide your dog with a variety of chew toys so he can exercise his jaws on something other than your designer shoes. Many dogs are puzzled when their owner lets them chew on an old, worn-out shoe, but then is scolded when a new pair is destroyed.

Choose bones and chew toys that have a secondary purpose: tartar control.

Clean up

If your dog does not have access to certain items, then he will not be able to chew them. Your dog cannot chew up your brand-new Gucci briefcase unless you leave it within his reach.

Leaving items out in the open are temptations for your dog. If you come home and your dog has destroyed something that you left out, avoid punishing the dog. You are partly to blame.

Don't complain - train

Teach your dog commands like "leave it" and "drop it." Your dog will respond should he pick something up that is inappropriate.

Prevention

If your dog is prone to chewing, consider confining him to a certain room in your home where he can chew when unsupervised.

Owning a dog requires trust. Avoid giving your dog the run of the house unless you are confident in his behaviour. You can also turn to anti-chewing creams like Bitter Apple that are unsavoury to your dog and will prevent him from chewing on items that are potentially harmful and dangerous.