Why Does My Dog Chew Furniture? 7 Proven Fixes That Work

Introduction: Why this matters and what you will learn

Picture coming home to shredded armrests, chewed table legs, or foam strewn across the room. It stings, and it raises the question: why does my dog chew furniture? The answer is rarely random. Puppies chew to relieve teething pain, bored dogs chew out of frustration, anxious dogs chew when left alone, and some dogs chew for attention or to explore new textures.

You will get practical ways to diagnose the cause, using simple clues like timing, location, and who was present when the chewing happened. Then you will get seven concrete fixes that work in real homes: how to check for medical issues, the exact exercise targets that reduce destructive chewing, step by step crate and alone time training, chew toy swaps that actually get used, safe deterrents, and when to ask a trainer or vet for help. Follow these steps, and you can protect your furniture and change your dog’s behavior.

Immediate stopgap fixes to try right now

If you keep asking why does my dog chew furniture, start with these fast fixes to stop more damage while you figure out the cause. Supervise closely, tether your dog to you or use a short leash indoors so you can interrupt chewing and immediately redirect to an approved item. Use baby gates or shut doors to block access to problem rooms. Cover exposed couch arms with aluminum foil or a plastic sofa cover; most dogs hate the texture. Apply a bitter spray or citrus cleaner to high risk spots. Offer high value safe chews, for example a KONG stuffed with peanut butter and frozen, a frozen carrot for teething pups, or a durable Nylabone for power chewers. If unsupervised, crate your dog if crate trained, otherwise confine to a chew proof area. Reward calm behavior.

Six common reasons dogs chew furniture

If you have ever asked why does my dog chew furniture, there are six reasons that show up again and again. Below are the causes with quick examples and what to try first.

Teething, common in puppies, feels urgent; chewing soothes sore gums. Give frozen rubber toys and rotate them so the puppy chooses the right target.

Boredom leads to destructive chewing, especially when alone for hours. Try puzzle feeders, a short training session before you leave, and a toy rotation to keep interest high.

Separation anxiety causes frantic chewing around doors or couches. Work on short departures, crate training if your dog tolerates it, and pair your leaving cue with a high value chew to calm them.

Attention seeking chewing happens when dogs learn that chewing gets you running. Ignore the behavior, reward calmness, and teach an alternative like “place” with treats.

Insufficient exercise increases chewing in high energy breeds. Add an extra walk, a game of fetch, or a 10 minute training sprint to burn mental and physical energy.

Medical issues such as dental pain or pica can trigger chewing. If the behavior appears suddenly or is paired with drooling, appetite change, or lethargy, see your vet for a checkup.

How to figure out which reason applies to your dog

Start by watching, not guessing. Keep a simple log for 48 hours, note time, location, what was chewed, and whether you were home. Example entry, 7:30 a.m., couch arm, left for work at 7:00, no toys present.

Next, match patterns to likely causes. If chewing happens while you leave the house, near doors and shoes, that points to separation anxiety. If it happens at night or during play, think teething or excess energy. Puppies between three and six months usually chew to relieve teething pain, adults chew from boredom or stress.

Do a toy interest test. Swap a destroyed item for a high value chew like a Kong stuffed with peanut butter, leave it for 10 minutes, then swap back. If the dog prefers the toy, provide more enrichment. If they ignore toys and target doorways or baseboards, anxiety or attention seeking is more likely.

Quick checklist to narrow causes, mark yes or no: age under six months, chewing only when alone, destroys many items to get attention, prefers soft fabric, ignores chew toys.

Step-by-step fixes matched to each cause

1. Boredom. Give 30 to 60 minutes of structured exercise daily, split into two sessions, plus 15 minutes of supervised play before leaving. Swap a chewed couch corner for a stuffed and frozen KONG, a puzzle feeder, and an interactive ball. Train "Leave it" by offering a treat, saying "Leave it", waiting for the nose to back off, then reward. Repeat 5 minutes, three times per day.

2. Teething. For puppies, offer chilled chew toys and rotate three options every day to keep interest. Use "Gentle" when mouthing gets hard, then reward calm chewing. Limit free roam for short bursts, 10 to 15 minutes, then a chew session to prevent furniture raids.

3. Separation anxiety. Start short departures, two minutes, then return calmly, reward quiet behavior. Use a crate as a safe den, paired with a frozen KONG and an Adaptil diffuser for calming pheromones. Consider gradual desensitization using the "pick up keys" cue, not a dramatic exit every time.

4. Attention seeking. Ignore destructive chewing, then redirect to a chew toy and reward with a high value treat when the toy is used. Train "Drop it" and "Place" to transfer focus to acceptable items.

5. Nutritional or medical issues. Book a vet check, request dental exam and stool test, and mention pica or sudden appetite changes. Follow up on bloodwork if recommended.

6. Stress or reactivity. Use counterconditioning, short walks before guests arrive, a Thundershirt for short periods, and calming music. Reward relaxed behavior with soft treats.

7. High prey drive or boredom at night. Increase daytime mental work, add 10 minutes of nose work, and use durable Nylabone chews. For ongoing problems, consult a certified trainer or behaviorist, and discuss medication options with your vet.

A 7-day training plan to stop chewing

Start by asking the question you are already thinking, why does my dog chew furniture, then treat the week like an experiment. Track every chewing event in a notebook or phone note, logging time, location, what the dog was doing, and how long it lasted.

Day 1, baseline: remove tempting items, give two durable chew toys, two 10 minute training sessions teaching "take it" and reward good chewing.
Day 2, routine: add 20 minutes extra walk or play, rotate toys, record incidents.
Day 3, confinement: use a crate or gated area when unsupervised, swap a destroyed item for a toy immediately.
Day 4, deterrent: apply bitter spray, increase training to three short sessions.
Day 5, proofing: practice "leave it" near furniture, reward compliance.
Day 6, simulate triggers: recreate boredom or separation cues, reinforce alternatives.
Day 7, review: expect 50 to 75 percent fewer incidents; if not, escalate to a vet check for anxiety or a certified trainer, increase exercise, or use stricter management.

Best chew toys and home setup to prevent damage

If you keep asking why does my dog chew furniture, start by giving better options. Offer super durable toys like KONG Extreme stuffed and frozen, Nylabone or Benebone for power chewers, and Zogoflex or braided ropes for tug. Add edible chews such as bully sticks for supervised sessions. Rotate toys to keep them novel, store three to four away and swap every two to three days, with one high value toy only for training rewards.

Protect sofas with heavy canvas slipcovers or clear vinyl protectors, and use double sided tape on exposed wood. Use pet safe taste deterrents like bitter apple or citrus spray sparingly. When you catch chewing, calmly swap to a toy and reward the switch.

When to call your vet or a professional trainer

Sudden escalation, bloody or painful mouth, weight loss, nonstop chewing despite toys, eating fabric or foreign objects, new pacing or house soiling. Those are red flags that mean you should call a vet or a professional trainer right away.

A vet will rule out dental pain, infections, parasites, or metabolic issues; they may run blood work and a mouth exam. A trainer will assess triggers, routines, enrichment, and separation anxiety, often asking for video of the behavior and doing an in home or virtual evaluation.

Good questions to ask:
Could this be medical, and what tests do you recommend?
Is this anxiety, boredom, or compulsive chewing?
What immediate management and chew safe alternatives do you suggest?
How long until I should see progress?

Conclusion: Quick action checklist and final insights

If you keep asking why does my dog chew furniture, the solution usually boils down to three things: more exercise, better chew options, and smarter management. First identify whether it is boredom, teething, or anxiety, then pick the matching fix.

Checklist you can start today
Daily exercise: 30 to 60 minutes of walks, fetch, or nose work, plus a short training session.
Swap furniture for chew proof toys: rotate three toys, freeze a Kong stuffed with peanut butter for 10 minutes.
Limit access: crate when unsupervised, use baby gates, or block rooms.
Train swap and leave it: practice five minutes twice a day with treats.

Final tip, be consistent for at least two weeks, track progress, and celebrate small wins.