How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Remote Controls

Why Dogs Chew Remote Controls

Dogs chew for many reasons—puppies often chew due to teething pain, while older dogs may chew out of boredom, anxiety, or habit. Remote controls are tempting because they’re easily accessible, have interesting smells (like popcorn or butter), and offer fun buttons to explore. Since dogs use their mouths to investigate the world—especially puppies, who are born blind and deaf—chewing is a natural behavior. However, chewing on non-food items like remotes can be dangerous, leading to broken teeth, gum injuries, or even intestinal blockages.

Prevent Access to Remotes

The best way to stop chewing is to prevent the opportunity. Keep remotes out of reach when your dog is unsupervised. Store them in closed cabinets, on high shelves, or in drawers with lids. If your dog is left alone in a room with a remote on the coffee table, they’ll likely chew it. As shown with Puzzle, the moment she showed interest, her owners removed the remote and redirected her attention with a toy. This simple step breaks the habit before it starts.

Offer Better Chew Options

Instead of just saying “no,” give your dog something better to chew. Provide a variety of safe, durable chew toys—like rubber toys, rawhides, antlers, or bones—that are approved by your vet. Experiment to find what your dog likes best. When your dog starts chewing on the remote, calmly replace it with a toy. This teaches them that appropriate chew items are more rewarding.

Redirect and Reward Behavior

When you catch your dog going for the remote, use a distraction like clapping hands or calling their name in a happy tone. Then redirect them to a chew toy. As soon as they show interest in the toy, click and reward with a treat. This teaches them that choosing the right item leads to positive outcomes. Over time, add a cue like “chew” or “toy” to help them associate the word with the correct behavior.

Be Consistent and Supervise

Supervision is crucial. If you’re not watching your dog, they’ll have no reason to avoid the remote. Even if your dog is five years old, you must control their environment. If they’re left alone with tempting items, chewing will continue. Use redirection every time, even if it feels repetitive. Consistency helps your dog learn what’s allowed and what’s not.