Why Puppies Chew

Biologists tell us chewing is all about toning jaw muscles. Puppies no longer need to split bones and grind down marrow to survive, but the urge is hardwired into them. And into some more than others. Some puppies live to chew; others can take it or leave it. How often puppies chew and what they chew also fall under individual taste.    What is certain is that chewing is normal and healthy, not a behavior problem. But it can still be a regular problem—for you and your furniture.  

It’s not a phase. Puppies do chew more, yes. But chewing isn’t like teething in babies; it won’t peter out and eventually stop. All puppies chew some and some puppies chew a lot. Either way, give your puppy plenty of allowed things to chew right away to get him hooked on those instead of your shoes.  

The things puppies chew:

Edibles: Chew bones, pigs’ ears, bully sticks, greenies, raw hides, etc. 

Non-Edibles: Tennis balls, Nyla bones, Kongs (without food), etc. 

Dissectible Things: Plush toys, rope toys, Hide-A-Bee (Squirrel, Bird) etc. 

Puzzle Toys: Stuffed Kong, stuffed marrowbone, tricky treat balls, etc.  

Experiment to find out what your puppy prefers. Always have a mixed selection at hand and rotate different types of chewies to keep your puppy interested.  

Training:

Step 1. Prevent mistakes. When you can’t supervise, put your puppy in an enclosed, puppy-proofed area with a sanctioned chewie.   

Step 2. Teach good chewing choices. Audition a range of chewies until you find the ones that most appeal to your puppy. Puppies have texture preferences, so try to match what yours like. If he is attacking the couch pillows, try giving him plush toys. If he is eyeing the table leg, try a bone. Praise liberally when your puppy chews something allowed.  

Step 3. Interrupt mistakes. If your puppy chews the wrong thing, interrupt and trade him for something he can chew on. Praise liberally when he does.  

Step 4. Repeat if needed. If mistakes happen a lot, revisit step 1. Go back to using an enclosed, puppy-proofed area until your puppy is consistently making better chewing choices.        Training Tip: Rotate different types of chewies to keep your puppy interested. Troubleshooting: Is your puppy suddenly chewing a lot? Is this a new habit? Make sure he is getting enough exercise and has access to things that are okay to chew.