Puppy chewing can be destructive, but they do have an incredible natural drive to chew anything and everything during the first three to four months of their lives.

It is disheartening to come home every day to a ‚puppy chewing disasters. Puppies seem to like shoes and furniture the most, although electronics and rugs are not out of the question.

So how do you get your puppy to stop chewing everything in your home?

1. Make sure it is not a medical condition. An illness called Pica can cause your puppy to chew as a way to deal with nausea. Your veterinarian will be able to identify if the chewing is a result of Pica.

2. Puppy proof your house. We already know that a puppy is a mini-child, and just as you would with a toddler.
Put electrical cords out of the way. Get poisonous plants, household chemicals and food out of the way of your puppy.

3. Be sure and provide a safe and secure area for your puppy to rest and play while you are gone. It is always a good idea to crate train your puppy at an early age. Crating provides the most security for your puppy while you are  away from the house.

Until your puppy is fully potty trained, the crate should only be big enough for your puppy to be able to stand up, turn around comfortably and lay down with a little room to spare. After your pup is reliably potty trained, you can use a larger crate with no worries of potty accidents while crated.

The most common reason for chewing, other than teething? Boredom and lack of exercise. Most puppies are full of energy and curiosity, but when left alone, get bored and find ways to learn about their surroundings by chewing‚ as much the same way a baby puts everything in it's  mouth. The best way to prevent puppy chewing is by keeping him occupied

Training a dog not to chew is challenging, but do-able with persistence and patience. Like with most dog training, you will have to be firm and consistent.

First, remove the item that‚ is being chewed using a simple but firm ‚ NO command. The  command should be used consistently, but not overdone, so they understand the meaning. Also, using a loud noise, such as clapping your hands or shaking a cola can with rocks or pennies in it, are both effective deterrents from chewing when the puppy is caught in the act. Reprimanding your puppy, after the fact‚ will do no good as he has long forgotten the incident and will not make the connection.

You can also use a chewing deterrent like Bitter Apple. You smear or spray Bitter Apple on the item you don't want chewed, and the taste alone will cause the puppy to take a detour away from the object immediately.

If training doesn't work, the chewing may be from separation anxiety, in which case, you should consult your veterinarian.

Be sure you work on the puppy chewing problem early, you don't want it to become a habit the puppy keeps into adulthood.

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