Coming home to chewed-up shoes, torn sofa cushions, or complaints from neighbors about nonstop barking is every dog owner’s nightmare. While chewing and barking are completely natural behaviors for dogs, they quickly become a major problem when they turn destructive or disruptive.
The most important thing to remember is that dogs don’t chew your favorite wooden chair legs or bark incessantly out of malice or revenge. These actions are almost always symptoms of underlying needs—like boredom, excess energy, teething, or separation anxiety. Trying to fix the issue starts with understanding why it happens and using safe, positive techniques to redirect those behaviors.
Understanding Why Dogs Chew (and How to Fix It)
Chewing serves a clear biological purpose for dogs. For puppies between three to seven months old, chewing relieves the uncomfortable gum pressure caused by teething. For adult dogs, chewing keeps their jaw muscles strong, naturally cleans their teeth, and actually releases endorphins that soothe their nervous system.
1. Puppy Teething vs. Adult Destructive Chewing
If you have a teething puppy, trying to stop them from chewing entirely is unrealistic. Instead, your goal is to direct their urge toward safe, approved chew toys. Keep durable rubber toys (like a classic Kong) in the freezer; the cold temperature numbs sore gums while keeping them busy for an hour.
For adult dogs, destructive chewing on furniture, drywall, or footwear usually stems from lack of physical and mental stimulation. A tired dog is a quiet, well-behaved dog.
2. Practical Solutions to Stop Bad Chewing Habits
- Puppy-Proof Your Environment: Don’t leave temptation within reach. Store shoes inside closets, keep dirty laundry off the floor, and secure electrical cords.
- Master the Art of Redirection: If you catch your dog chewing on a table leg or sneaker, avoid screaming or chasing them. Firmly say “no,” take the item away without making a dramatic game out of it, and immediately hand them a high-value chew toy. When they switch their attention to the toy, praise them warmly.
- Use Safe Bitter Sprays: Apply a pet-safe bitter apple or cherry deterrent spray on exposed wooden furniture legs or baseboards. The foul taste deters most dogs from taking another bite while you work on training.
Cracking the Code on Problem Barking
Barking is a dog’s primary way of communicating with the world. However, when barking becomes excessive—such as reacting to every person walking past the window or crying nonstop when left alone—it needs to be addressed consistently.
Common Types of Excessive Barking
- Alert or Territorial Barking: Triggered when your dog sees a delivery driver, neighbor, or squirrel near their perceived boundary.
- Boredom Barking: A repetitive, monotonous bark used by dogs that have too much pent-up energy and nothing else to do.
- Demand Barking: Barking directly at you to demand food, treats, attention, or to be let outside.
- Separation Distress: Constant howling or barking that begins within minutes after you leave the house, often paired with pacing or scratching at exit doors.
Safe and Effective Strategies to Reduce Barking
Shouting at a barking dog rarely works because your dog usually interprets your loud voice as you joining in on the noise. Instead, focus on calm, structured training methods.
Block the Visual Triggers
If your dog spends the afternoon sitting on the back of the couch barking at everyone walking down the street, close the blinds or apply opaque window film to the lower half of your front windows. Removing the visual trigger breaks the cycle of territorial guarding before it starts.
Ignore Demand Barking Completely
If your dog barks at you while you prepare their food or sit on the couch, do not look at them, talk to them, or give them what they want. Turn your back and fold your arms. The moment they sit quietly for a few seconds, immediately reward them with attention or a treat. They will quickly learn that silence opens doors, while barking closes them.
Teach the “Quiet” Command
Wait for your dog to start barking at a trigger, then let them bark two or three times to acknowledge it. Hold a high-value treat right in front of their nose. To smell the treat, your dog must stop barking. Once they stop barking to sniff the treat, wait two seconds, say the command word “Quiet” in a calm tone, and give them the treat. With repetition, they will associate the word “Quiet” with stopping the noise for a reward.
The Power of Physical Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Most behavioral problems in dogs—both destructive chewing and excessive barking—can be traced back to boredom. Physical walks are essential, but mental exercise burns through a dog’s energy reserves just as effectively.
Swap standard food bowls for puzzle feeders or snuffle mats during mealtimes. Forcing your dog to use their nose and brain to work for their food lowers stress levels and keeps them entertained. Ensure your dog receives a healthy balance of daily physical exercise like brisk walks, fetch sessions, or dog park visits tailored to their age and breed.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
If your dog displays severe separation anxiety, shows aggression while chewing on items (resource guarding), or fails to respond to consistent training after several weeks, consider hiring a certified professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. Professional guidance ensures you address the root psychological cause safely and effectively without damaging your bond with your pet.
