How to stop a dog from chewing furniture
Let me lay it out straight for you—chewing is normal dog behavior. But your couch, your table legs, your remote? That’s not a chew toy, that’s your hard-earned furniture. If your dog’s turning your living room into a personal demolition site, it’s time to step in—not tomorrow, not next week. Today.
I’ve worked with hundreds of dogs—from pampered house pups to rescued street dogs—and I’ll tell you one thing: chewing is communication. Your job? Figure out what your dog is trying to say and respond like a leader, not a pushover.
Understand Why Your Dog Is Chewing
Before you yell, “Bad dog!” take a breath. Chewing doesn’t come from nowhere.
- Teething (Puppies) – Gums hurt. They need relief.
- Boredom – Dogs with nothing to do find something to do. Usually destructive.
- Anxiety or Stress – Chewing helps them cope. Separation anxiety is a big one.
- Lack of boundaries – If they never learned what’s off-limits, they won’t respect it.
- Hunger or diet issues – Some dogs chew when their nutritional needs aren’t being met.
You can’t solve what you don’t understand. Pinpoint the trigger. Then act.
Rule #1: Supervise or Confine—There’s No In Between
If your dog is still chewing furniture, they shouldn’t have free rein of the house. Period.
- Crate-train your dog. Not as punishment, but for structure and safety.
- Use baby gates or closed doors to limit access when you’re not around.
- Keep them in the same room as you when you’re home. Watch them like a hawk.
The more chances they have to mess up, the more confused they get about what’s allowed.
Provide the Right Things to Chew
You can’t stop chewing entirely. You redirect it.
- Invest in tough chew toys—rubber, nylon, antlers, bully sticks.
- Rotate the toys weekly so they stay interesting.
- Reward the good behavior—when they chew a toy, praise them like it’s a big deal.
- Smear a little peanut butter on a chew toy (no xylitol!) if they need encouragement.
Make the right choice more appealing than the wrong one. It’s that simple.
Correct the Behavior—Immediately and Calmly
Catch them mid-chew on the table leg? Don’t scream. Don’t smack. That just teaches fear—not manners.
- Firm “No” or “Eh-eh,” then remove the item.
- Redirect to a toy right away.
- Praise them when they chew the toy instead.
Timing matters. If you correct them two minutes later, they have no clue what they’re being scolded for.
Exercise the Mouth, Exercise the Mind
Most dogs chew because they have too much energy and nowhere to put it.
- Daily walks, fetch sessions, or tug games.
- Training drills—obedience isn’t just for control, it tires them out mentally.
- Food puzzle toys or frozen KONGs to work their brains.
A tired dog won’t chew your furniture. They’ll be too busy dreaming on their dog bed.
Clean the Scene and Remove the Scent
Dogs return to the same spot to chew if it smells like them—or like wood glue and old leather.
- Use enzymatic cleaners to remove scent markers from previously chewed areas.
- Apply dog-safe deterrent sprays like bitter apple to your furniture.
- Cover chair legs or couch corners temporarily with plastic guards or double-sided tape.
Make chewing your furniture an unpleasant experience—not a satisfying habit.
Address Separation Anxiety if That’s the Root
If chewing starts the moment you leave, you’ve got a dog with anxiety—not a discipline issue.
- Start by leaving for short intervals and gradually increasing time.
- Don’t make a big deal about coming and going. That builds tension.
- Use calming tools—CBD (with vet approval), anxiety wraps, classical music, or pheromone diffusers.
- Consult a behaviorist if it’s extreme.
You can’t punish anxiety out of a dog. You manage it, and you support them through it.
Final Thoughts From the Vet
Look—I’ve seen furniture destroyed beyond repair. And I’ve seen dogs turn it around with the right structure and leadership. It’s not magic. It’s not a gimmick. It’s consistency.
You don’t have to live in a dog-chewed disaster zone. But you do need to step up and take control.
Be the one calling the shots—not your dog’s teeth.
