30 Oct 5 Super Simple Tips to Prevent Puppy Chewing

Hey Puptopians! It’s mid-week madness here in New York City but we haven’t forgotten to give you the best puppy tips in town to get you through the rest of the week. Today we’re talking about the dreaded puppy chewing phase and how to get your little bundle of joy to stop munching on everything you own. Not only does puppy chewing take its toll on your home, but it can be very dangerous for pup himself. Here are 5 (super simple) Tips to Prevent Puppy Chewing. Happy Thursday!

1. Make Your Own No-Chew Spray

The best tip for preventing puppy chewing is to make your own “no-chew” bitter spray. Of course you can buy similar products online and in pet stores, but choosing the DIY version is easy, cheap and uses ingredients you probably already have. What you need:

1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 cup Lemon Juice
1 cup Water
1 x Spray Bottle

With these simple household ingredients, you’ll have an easy-to-use, effective no-chew spray whenever you need it. When puppy starts chewing on your favorite things, a spray on this and the bitterness will surely deter your pup. Make sure to spray the mixture onto the items you don’t want your pup to chew, and not directly into their mouth. If the mixture doesn’t work well for your specific pup, try replacing the lemon juice with white vinegar for some extra-added bitterness.

2. Build a Safe Haven

Your pup won’t be able to chewing your things if there’s nothing for him to chew. And no, I don’t mean getting hid of everything you love. Instead, turn a room or area of your home into a puppy-friendly safe haven. If you’re puppy is still very young and tiny, investing in a playpen is a good solution. For older, bigger breed puppies, prevent puppy chewing by sectioning off a safe area or room in your home with a puppy gate. The great thing about buying a gate for your pooch is that the right gate can be used for years and will even come in handy with a fully-grown pup. Make sure there’s nothing your pup can chew or damage in the room and make sure he has all the necessities like water, a comfortable place to sleep, a place to do his business and lots of acceptable chew toys.

3. Hide Chewing Surprises in Your Home

This is a great tip for adult dogs who like to chew too. Hiding a few chew toys filled with treats throughout your home will give your dog a challenge and a happy distraction from chewing your belongings. Kongs are perfect for this tactic, but you can also make your own DIY chew toys and fill them with your pup’s favorite treat.

4. Be (Very) Suspicious of Silence

Puppies are noisy and it’s a good thing they are because when silence sets in, you’ll know that they’re probably up to no good. Unless your pup is napping, silence usually means that they’ve found something to keep them occupied and more often than not, that something is a no-chewing item. Be aware of where your puppy is at all times and check up on them regularly to make sure they’re not doing anything they’re not supposed to do.

5. Avoid Accidents

Accidents happen, but there is something you can do to avoid them. When you bring home your bundle of fur, make sure that all expensive and valuable items are out of reach or stored away. Also pay special attention to ANYTHING that will fit into puppy’s mouth. Things like stings, coins, human food and small plastic objects are extremely hazardous to pups and you may not even notice when they gobble one up. Be safe, prepared and always keep an eye (and ear) out!