Why Puppies Chew Everything (And How to Stop Destructive Puppy Chewing)
Why Puppies Chew Everything (And How to Stop Destructive Puppy Chewing)
Shoes. Baseboards. Table legs. The corner of the rug. If your Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle puppy seems determined to chew every object in your home, you're dealing with one of the most common puppy struggles new owners face.
Puppy chewing isn't a discipline problem — it's a developmental one, and understanding why it happens is the first step to stopping it.
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Why Do Puppies Chew Everything They Can Find?
Puppy chewing is driven by a mix of biology and instinct, not disobedience:
Teething: From birth through about six months, baby teeth are falling out and adult teeth are coming in — chewing relieves sore, itchy gums.
Jaw development: Chewing strengthens developing jaw muscles.
Exploration: Puppies investigate new textures and objects with their mouths the way toddlers use their hands.
Boredom or excess energy: An under-stimulated puppy left without appropriate outlets will find something to chew — and it's rarely the toy you intended.
Because chewing is a genuine physical and developmental need, the goal isn't to eliminate it — it's to redirect it toward appropriate objects.
Puppy-Proofing: Preventing Destructive Chewing Before It Starts
The single most effective destructive-chewing prevention tool is management — that is, not giving your puppy the opportunity to chew the wrong things in the first place.
Use a crate or exercise pen whenever your puppy can't be 100% supervised
Keep a chew toy within arm's reach at all times during supervised time, so you can redirect immediately
Puppy-proof at nose and paw level: tuck away shoes, remote controls, cords, and low furniture legs
Use a leash indoors during "free" time in a new room so your puppy stays within reach for a quick redirect
Matching the Right Chew Toy to the Behavior
Not all chew toys work for all chewing motivations, and matching toy type to what your puppy is drawn to makes redirection far more effective:
Hard chewers going for hard objects (table legs, baseboards): offer a hard rubber or nylon chew, like a Benebone, as a direct substitute
Soft chewers going for soft objects (socks, pillows, blankets): offer a durable plush toy instead
Teething discomfort: a frozen, wet washcloth (with a treat tied in a knot) or a stuffed, frozen Kong provides soothing cold relief for sore gums
When your puppy has a strong hold on something inappropriate, avoid pulling it away — tugging can turn into an unintentional game of keep-away.
Instead, trade for a high-value treat or toy, then remove the object once your puppy is distracted.
How to Redirect Chewing in the Moment
When you catch your puppy chewing on something they shouldn't:
Interrupt calmly with a simple sound or "uh-uh" — no yelling, which can create anxiety around chewing rather than solving it
Offer an appropriate chew toy immediately
Praise and reward once your puppy engages with the toy instead
Over time, this consistent redirection teaches your puppy which objects are "theirs" to chew — but it does require your active participation in the early months.
Puppies don't outgrow inappropriate chewing on their own; they learn the difference through repetition.
Preventing Boredom-Driven Chewing
If your puppy chews more when left alone or during unstructured time, boredom or excess energy is likely a factor.
Building a predictable rhythm of play, training, and rest throughout the day — with appropriate chew toys available during downtime — reduces the temptation to chew furniture or household items out of restlessness.
A tired, mentally stimulated puppy is far less likely to go looking for trouble.
When Puppy Chewing Becomes a Bigger Concern
Occasional chewed shoes are part of raising a puppy. But if your puppy is swallowing inappropriate objects, chewing through crate bars, or showing signs of gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite), contact your veterinarian right away, since ingested foreign objects can become a medical emergency.
For structured, step-by-step help managing the teething and chewing phase — plus games that build impulse control and appropriate toy preference — Doodling All Day recommends the Baxter & Bella training program, the same resource we point our own puppy families toward.
Puppy owners can use code DOODLINGALLDAY for 25% off lifetime training packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Chewing
Why does my puppy chew on furniture and baseboards?
Puppies are often drawn to hard, textured surfaces during teething because the pressure relieves sore gums. Offering an equally hard chew toy, like a rubber or nylon chew, as a direct substitute usually resolves the behavior.
At what age do puppies stop chewing everything?
Most puppies chew most intensely between 3 and 6 months while teething, with the behavior tapering off significantly by 8–12 months as adult teeth finish coming in — though appropriate chewing remains a normal, healthy behavior for dogs of any age.
How do I stop my puppy from chewing when I'm not watching?
Prevention is more reliable than correction after the fact. Use a crate or exercise pen with an appropriate chew toy anytime you can't directly supervise, so your puppy never has the chance to practice chewing the wrong things.
Is puppy chewing a sign of separation anxiety?
It can be, especially if chewing is concentrated around doors, windows, or your belongings while you're away. If destructive chewing is paired with drooling, pacing, or vocalizing when left alone, it may point to separation-related stress worth addressing separately.
What household items are dangerous for puppies to chew?
Electrical cords, small toys with squeakers, socks, and certain plants can all pose choking or ingestion risks. Puppy-proofing at your puppy's eye and nose level is the best way to remove these hazards before they become a problem.
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