How to stop my dog chewing on the skirting boards or table legs

There are a few reasons why your dog may bite the furniture. For puppies, it is usually a teething issue, so they will chew on things to ease discomfort. In older dogs, it could be because of several reasons including anxiety, boredom or to simply help maintain their jaw strength.

Chewing on furniture is usually nothing to worry about, but when you start noticing teeth marks on your table legs, you want to be able to sort it out.

So, how can I go about solving this problem?

Thankfully, there are multiple options you could try.

To help a pup with aching gums, one of the best things you could do to reduce discomfort is giving them a teething chew. This will keep them distracted from the furniture and provide better pain relief for them, especially if you freeze the chews! If you would prefer a natural option, we have Split Deer Antlers, which offer some great benefits. The honeycomb inside of the antler is softer and therefore gentler on the teeth and jaws.

For dogs that are chewing because of boredom or anxiety, there are a few things you can try to help alleviate the issues.

Enrichment toys can be a great way to tackle boredom and keep your dog entertained. Snuffle mats and Lickimats are suitable for any dog. Snuffle mats provide them with a rewarding way to interact and Lickimats can be frozen allowing them to last even longer! The motion of licking the mat also releases a feel-good chemical in the brain which helps relax your dog.

If your dog enjoys chewing on the wooden furniture, you could consider getting your hands on a few natural and long-lasting wooden chews like Olive Branches and Root Chews. Not only will they save your furniture, but they are 100% natural, so you don’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals or any bits being ingested. Other long lasting chews which are a great alternative to your furniture are Yak Bars and Lamb horns.

What if I catch my dog chewing on the furniture?

Instead of getting frustrated and letting them know you are not happy, gently guide them away from it and distract them with something different like chews, toys or treats. Try not to do this straight away, as they may think you are rewarding them for this action, and we don’t want that!

Offer them something else to that will keep them busy for a while, so they completely forget about the furniture. Kong treat dispensing toys such as the “kong Classic” are ideal, as they must work to receive there treats.

We would recommend you treat your dog with some enrichment toys or long lasting chews; we have a large selection at Dragonfly Products to keep your dog occupied!

Laura x