How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing on Your Furniture

When your dog or new puppy begins chewing on your furniture, rugs, or other items in your home, you may feel helpless. It is easy to feel like your dog has taken over the house and you have no hope to correct the undesirable behavior. With a little bit of work and patience, you can stop your dog from chewing your furniture and regain your house in these five easy steps.

1. Provide Proper Chew Toys

It is natural for dogs and puppies to chew. Some dogs like chewing more than others, but they all do it. You must provide your dog with proper chew toys and teach them to chew the toys, not the furniture. If your dog is a strong chewer, make sure you choose durable chew toys such as nylon bones or hard rubber chews. Lighter chewers may prefer softer chew toys. If your dog becomes quickly bored with the chew toys, rotate them. Hide one or two chew toys for a week, or until the dog becomes bored with his/her current toy(s), and then switch the hidden toy for a current toy.

2. Introduce a Chewing Deterrent

A sour or spicy spray is a great way to stop your dog or new puppy from chewing your furniture. The spray is applied to the areas your dog chews. When the dog smells and tastes the deterrent, he/she will not like the smell and taste and will stop chewing. In time, the dog will stop attempting to chew the sprayed areas. You can find chewing deterrent sprays at most pet stores, but be warned that it will not work on all dogs. Some dogs may even like the taste. If this is the case with your dog, try a few drops of hot sauce mixed in a spray bottle of water. Let the dog smell and taste a drop on your finger, then spray the mixture on the furniture. You house may smell a bit spicy for a day or two, but your furniture will be spared!

3. Be Consistent