Anti chew deterrent spray and training with positive reinforcement are two ways to stop your dog from chewing on your furniture.
Reasons dogs chew on furniture
Teething during the puppy phase
Puppies who are teething can chew on furniture to help alleviate their discomfort as their puppy teeth begin to grow in. This is a temporary phase and is not usually a behavior issue.
If your puppy is teething then there are a couple things you can do to get them to stop chewing on your household furniture. Firstly, you can try to redirect their urge to chew by giving them alternatives. A teething toy that can be frozen is a great way to give your teething puppy some relief, and chances are he or she will prefer it over your furniture.
Also toys that are teething friendly and provide different textures for your puppy are great options. They can also provide some relief and peak your puppy’s interest.
If you introduce toys as alternatives to chewing furniture and your puppy still prefers furniture then you might want to try spraying your furniture with a bitter tasting chew deterrent. This is a safe and effective way to protect your furniture and anything in the house you don’t want your dog to get a hold of.
Boredom
If your dog is past their puppy phase and they are chewing on furniture then you have a behavioral issue on your hands. Oftentimes destructive chewing is an acting out behavior that’s a symptom of some other issue. One of the most common culprits is boredom. If your dog spends long stretches of time by themselves and or doesn’t get sufficient exercise, they are probably bored.
Their chewing is a cry for attention or, at the very least, for something to do. Playing with your dog and tiring them out could eliminate the unwanted chewing behavior completely. As many dog trainers say: a tired dog is a good dog.
Separation anxiety
It could be that your dog’s destructive chewing is a sign of separation anxiety. If this is the case there are some steps you can take to alleviate your dog’s anxiety and prevent any acting out behaviors.
How to stop chewing on furniture if it’s connected to separation anxiety
- Crate train your dog
- Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise
- Stop encouraging clingy behavior
- Try medications or natural supplements (per a vet’s recommendation)
You can try one or more of these methods to help your dog become more comfortable in your absence. Once the anxiety is dealt with the chewing should follow suit.
Final thoughts
How to stop your dog from chewing on furniture will depend on what’s causing the unwanted behavior. If your puppy is teething, then it’s likely that all the furniture chewing is simply a phase. If your dog is full grown and chewing on furniture, then it’s more likely that there’s a deeper issue underlying the behavior. Whether it’s anxiety, boredom, or not enough exercise, identifying the problem is the first step to getting your dog to stop chewing on things you don’t want them to.
