When it comes to raising a new puppy, learning how to stop your puppy chewing  problem will probably be one of your biggest battles that you can face. On it’s own, chewing isn’t really such a bad thing. In fact, it is a natural part of being a puppy.

So, if you really want to save those expensive Jimmy Choo Shoes, you need to learn how to stop your puppy from chewing them up, and still allow him his natural behavior.

The real secret to learning how to stop your puppy chewing problem lies not in stopping the behavior, but in redirecting it to something more appropriate. Like, oh maybe those chew bones you went through the effort of buying them.

I had a dog a few years ago that loved chewing everything. He even chewed up my heavy leather work boots. I was not a happy camper. Lucky for me (and for you…) I figured out a few things along the way that helped me stop his chewing problem. Check out my article on How to Stop Your Puppy From Chewing, and learn several key tricks that you can use to get the problem under control quickly.

Do You Really Have a Puppy Chewing Problem?

This leads to the question, if chewing is natural, why should you stop it?

Often, when people have a really young puppy, they let it go wild, or they take the opposite approach, and yell at them for the behavior. Neither approach really works, but people are strange. They keep doing something, even after they see it doesn’t work.

The problem is that if you allow it to continue, or you just yell at them about it, they won’t learn right from wrong. The chewing will continue, and it often turns to more aggressive behavior later on. Then, you will have a huge problem on your hands, especially if you have a big dog.

You see, your puppy is chewing to assert his dominance in your house. You need to assert your own authority, without being mean or cruel to the puppy. It’s like expecting a newborn baby to have good table manners.

They have to be taught first before they are punished. This requires a bit of patience and training, but you can do it in a nice and humane way that builds your relationship with your dog rather than destroying it (and your household).

Remember to Be Consistent!

As you begin training your puppy not to chew, you need to remember to be consistent. They don’t know the difference between one chew toy and another. Don’t give them stuffed animals to chew, and expect them to leave the other stuffed animals alone. Also, if you want them to stop chewing your socks or shoes, don’t give them an old sock or shoe to chew on.

They cannot think like people do. If you train them that chewing on socks and shoes is okay, they will continue this behavior with the ones you don’t want them chewing up.

Also, you will need to pick up your clothes. If you really want to save those expensive shoes, put them up on a shelf out of reach. This way they will always be safe, even if you aren’t around to guard them.

As a dog owner, it is your job to set the rules, but before demanding that the puppy follows the rules, you have to teach them what they are. They don’t understand your language as much as your actions, so be consistent in what you do with your puppy training, and you can stop your puppy from chewing your shoes.