Why dogs do it
Why does my dog chew everything?
A chewed baseboard is annoying. A chewed baseboard plus a missing sock is a different conversation. Chewing is normal dog behaviour, and most of it is a need looking for an outlet. The useful question is not how to make it stop but why this dog, at this age, picks this object at this time. The answer changes what helps.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Three common drivers
Sore gums, spare energy, or a worried mind.
Teething is the likeliest cause in puppies roughly between losing baby teeth and settling adult ones. Many pups mouth anything cool or firm, and the chewing tends to come in bursts. Boredom looks different: a young, energetic dog who chews in the evening or on quiet afternoons, often picking whatever is closest, from remote controls to couch cushions. That dog usually chews calmly, almost happily, and stops when something better comes along.
Worry has its own fingerprint. A dog who chews door frames, window sills or crate bars, mostly when left alone, may be trying to get out rather than playing. Some dogs chew items that smell of their people, such as shoes or a hoodie. Watch the timing, the target and the dog's body. Relaxed chewing with a soft face points one way. Panting, drooling or frantic damage near exits points another.
- Note when the chewing happens
- List the objects targeted
- Check damage near doors
- Watch the dog's body language
Vet, then plan
Where a checkup comes before any chew toy.
See a vet before anything else if chewing starts suddenly in an adult dog, if your dog swallows pieces of fabric, plastic or wood, or if chewing comes with drooling, pawing at the mouth or a change in appetite. Mouth pain, stomach upset and other medical causes can show up as chewing, and only a vet can rule them out. Swallowed objects can be an emergency, so call promptly if you suspect one.
Once the vet is satisfied, the first steps are management: put valuables away, offer legal chews of different textures, and supervise or contain when you cannot watch. Our how-to guide on chewing covers the training method step by step. A Private Training session, $150 + GST, works on household manners with a written plan, and Puppy Fundamentals works on crate comfort and structure. At a consultation we name the lightest option that fits.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Why does my dog chew everything when I leave?
Chewing that happens mostly when you are gone, especially near doors and windows, often points to stress about being alone rather than boredom. If it comes with drooling, howling or escape attempts, a professional assessment is a sensible next step.
At what age do puppies stop chewing everything?
Teething chewing often eases once adult teeth are in, but many young dogs keep chewing for boredom or exploration well after that. Chewing is a lifelong need, so the goal is good outlets rather than none.
Why is my older dog suddenly chewing things?
A sudden change in an adult dog is worth a vet visit first, since mouth pain or stomach upset can show up as chewing. Once health is cleared, look at recent changes in routine, exercise or time alone.
Should I punish my dog for chewing furniture?
Punishment after the fact rarely connects in a dog's mind and can make a worried chewer more anxious. Management, appropriate chews and supervision tend to work better, and our how-to guide covers the method.
Keep reading
Chewing more than toys?
Book a consultation and we will look at when, where and why your dog chews, then suggest a fitting plan.
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