How to Stop Your Dog from Chewing Furniture and Shoes

Why Dogs Chew on Household Items

Dogs chew for many reasons, including teething in puppies, boredom, anxiety, or simply exploring their environment with their mouths. Puppies, in particular, use their mouths to learn about the world since they are born blind and deaf, making taste and touch their primary senses early on. Older dogs may chew due to habit, lack of stimulation, or stress. Some dogs also chew because they enjoy the act itself or seek attention—even negative attention is attention. If your dog chews on inappropriate items like shoes or furniture, it can lead to costly damage or even health risks like intestinal blockages or tooth fractures.

Prevent Access to Problem Items

The first step in stopping destructive chewing is managing your dog’s environment. Never leave shoes, furniture, or other tempting items out where your dog can reach them. Store shoes in closed cabinets or behind doors, use toy boxes with lids, and secure trash bins with locking lids. This prevents your dog from being set up to fail. If your dog has already taken a forbidden item, avoid chasing them—this can turn it into a game. Instead, calmly say “No, drop it” and replace the item with a proper chew toy. This teaches them what is acceptable to chew without reinforcing the behavior.

Provide Appropriate Chew Alternatives

Your dog needs safe, appealing chew toys to redirect their natural urge to chew. Offer a variety of textures and types—rubber toys, rawhides, antlers, bones, and interactive toys like Kong or Busy Buddy. Rotate toys every few days to keep them interesting, as dogs can get bored with the same toys over time. Some dogs prefer soft plush toys, while others like squeaky or hard rubber ones. Find what your dog enjoys and make sure they have access to it, especially when unsupervised. Always ensure toys are safe—avoid those that can be easily destroyed and swallowed.

Use Positive Reinforcement Training

Train your dog using positive reinforcement to build the habit of chewing only appropriate items. When you catch your dog chewing something they shouldn’t, calmly replace it with a chew toy. As soon as they show interest in the correct toy, click (if using a clicker) and reward with a treat. Repeat this consistently to help your dog make the connection between the right toy and the reward. Over time, introduce a cue like “chew” or “toy” to signal the desired behavior. You can also place tempting items and the correct toy together and reward your dog for choosing the toy.

Deterrents and Additional Tips

To discourage chewing on furniture, rub wintergreen oil on the surface. It has a strong, refreshing smell that dogs typically dislike, and it’s organic with no harmful chemicals. Avoid giving your dog old shoes or socks as chew toys—even if they’re not yours—because they may not understand the difference and assume all shoes are fair game. If your dog enjoys playing with stolen items, make their toys more engaging by using food puzzles or interactive toys that require effort to access treats. Play with them using their toys to encourage proper play behavior and reduce the appeal of household items.