Printable Dog Chewing Checklist (Stop Destructive Chewing)
Chewing is normal, necessary behaviour aimed at the wrong objects. This checklist redirects it rather than trying to switch it off.
Which chewing approach fits your dog?
Three quick questions and you'll get the method, reward strategy and session shape that fit your breed and what's actually driving the behaviour.
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What breed is your dog?
Chewing checklist
Dogs chew to soothe, to explore and to work. Removing the outlet without replacing it just moves the damage — so the plan is management, a better legal option, and enough mental work that the sofa stops looking interesting.
Dog-proof the space
- Walk each room at dog height and remove shoes, cables, remotes and children's toys
- Use a pen, crate or closed doors for any room you can't supervise
- Cover chewed furniture edges or block access for 4 weeks so the habit stops being rehearsed
- Bin any destroyed toy pieces — no swallowing hazards
Build the legal chew menu
- Stock 4-6 different chew textures (rubber, rope, edible, frozen, snuffle)
- Rotate them: only 2 out at a time, swapped daily, so novelty stays high
- Freeze a stuffed toy each night for the next day
- Puppies teething: offer a chilled (not frozen solid) chew for sore gums
Every day
- Feed at least one meal from a puzzle feeder, snuffle mat or scatter
- 10 minutes of scent work or a training game — mental work beats extra walking
- Trade, don't chase: swap a stolen item for a treat, then reward the return
- Pay the dog for chewing the right thing while they're doing it, not afterwards
- Give a chew before the risky window (your work calls, evenings, departures)
Troubleshooting checks
- Chewing only when alone? Work the alone-time checklist as well — that's a distress signal
- Chewing walls, stones or fabric they swallow? Vet check for pica and dietary issues
- Guarding the stolen item with a stiff body or growl? Stop taking things off them; call a behaviourist
- Adult dog with sudden new chewing? Look for a change in routine, sleep or household noise
Want this tailored to your breed?
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