We all love the energy and playfulness that puppies bring into our lives. Their big eyes, fluffy coats, and wagging tails are hard to resist, and their carefree exuberance is contagious.
Moreover, watching them bounce around the house is a joy. They excitedly explore every tiny nook and cranny. That is until you find them tumbling off the sofa, running headfirst into the coffee table, or toppling over an indoor plant.
Eventually, every dog parent worries and wonders, “How can I protect my puppies from furniture?”
The answer lies in dog-proofing — not only will it keep your puppies safe, but it will also pet-proof your furniture.
Yes, that’s right. Puppies love to gnaw on furniture, especially those undergoing teething stages, as they lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth come in.
So, how do you protect furniture from a teething puppy?
Start by understanding puppy teething stages
Teething is a crucial phase in a puppy’s development, typically occurring between 3 to 6 months of age.
During this time, puppies go through several stages as their baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth emerge.
Initial stage (3 to 4 months)
The first set of baby teeth, often known as deciduous teeth, starts to loosen and fall out. Puppies may show signs of discomfort during this period.
They might be more irritable than usual and may chew on various objects more frequently to relieve the pressure on their gums.
Mid-teething stage (4 to 5 months)
Most baby teeth will have fallen out at this stage, and adult teeth are beginning to push through. It’s common for puppies to experience increased drooling and have a strong urge to chew. You might also notice some gum swelling, especially in the areas where the adult teeth are emerging.
Final stage (5 to 6 months)
Most adult teeth should have erupted by around 6 months. As the discomfort subsides, symptoms like chewing and gnawing may decrease.
However, some minor gum sensitivity might still be present as the jaw adjusts to the new teeth.
Throughout this teething process, puppy owners should be vigilant for signs that may indicate discomfort or dental issues, such as excessive whining, difficulty eating, or bleeding gums.
This is a tricky time, so providing appropriate chew toys and maintaining regular veterinary check-ups is essential for ensuring a smooth transition in dental health.
Can you prevent a teething puppy from chewing on furniture?
If you’ve recently brought home a puppy with persistent nibbles, you may ask, “How can I protect furniture from dogs chewing?” several times a day.
Well, we have good news. Though it may seem impossible to stop your dog from chewing on everything within reach, there are ways to mitigate the problem.
Before we learn how to protect furniture from a teething puppy, let’s look at some general tips regarding dogs that munch too much.
Understand your dog
Whether you have a pup, adolescent, or adult dog with a chewing problem, the first step is understanding why your pet is determined to nibble.
Here are some common reasons:
- Like babies, puppies are curious and tend to explore things with their mouths, a.k.a. mouthing.
- Puppies are always on the hunt for something to soothe their teething pains.
- Adult dogs tend to chew when they’re bored.
- For most dogs, chewing is a coping mechanism for separation anxiety, regardless of age.
- Adult dogs instinctively chew as it keeps their teeth clean and helps maintain jaw strength.
A little understanding, patience, and love from you can go a long way in curbing destructive habits.
Teach your teething puppy the right way to chew
Chewing is just a natural part of your pup’s growth process — whether it’s a pair of shoes, blankets, sofas and pillows, furniture legs, or even your fingers — nothing escapes their little jaws!
So, punishing or training your puppy against chewing will be counterproductive. Not only will you damage your relationship with your pet, but you’ll also make teething puppies more anxious, which can lead to more destructive behavior.
Teething can be painful, and chewing can help soothe their gums. So, try to understand that puppies need to chew to provide pain relief!
So, what can you do? A more practical solution is to train your dog to chew appropriately.
Here’s how:
Change begins with you
Take responsibility for your belongings — you are the adult in the situation, and your dog doesn’t know better, but you do.
You cannot fault your little dog for chewing on things you’ve left around.
If you don’t want to find your favorite pair of shoes in tatters, you should probably put them out of reach, in a shoe cupboard!
Simply speaking, everything that your puppy can access is fair game. To avoid the situation,
- Clear the floor
- Keep things higher up on shelves that your dog can’t access
- Close the doors of cupboards and cabinets, so your dog can’t get in
- Block areas with enticing items
Provide your dog with distinguishable chew toys
If your dog has grabbed the edge of your blanket and refuses to let go, replacing it with another older blanket or cloth will only confuse them as they cannot tell the difference. Avoid sending your puppy mixed signals.
Instead, give them specific chew toys that don’t resemble household items so they can tell whether something is appropriate to chew on. Using chew toys helps stop inappropriate chewing.
Don’t chase your dog
Running after your dog and snatching your precious belongings before they get destroyed is a bad idea. Why? Because they’ll think you’re playing a game, which might lead them to chew quicker or force them to bite harder as you tug.
Your dog might also think you’re playing a game of chase and dodge. Aside from burning a few calories, you’ll accomplish little else.
The better way to handle the situation is to call your pet to you and offer them an alternative instead.
Set realistic expectations
As a pet owner, you must prepare for teething from the get-go.
You will be disappointed if you believe your dog is exceptionally well-behaved and can deal with teething pains without ruining your things.
Our advice? Don’t wait for your pup to shred your belongings. Instead, be proactive.
Learn how to protect your furniture from your dog before they reach the teething stage.
Above all else, stay patient and calm. Eventually, your pup will become a responsible dog that doesn’t destroy your things.
Stop your teething puppy from chewing on furniture
You’ve taken everyone’s advice and done everything possible to keep the house clear of chewables.
However, if you can’t protect furniture legs from your dog’s chewing, consider alternatives to chew toys—nip the chewing in the bud, if you will.
Distract teething puppies with toys and games
The easiest way to stop your pup from doing something they’re not supposed to do is to distract them.
Whenever your dog gets their mouth on the furniture, distract them. Here are a few ideas:
- Get their favorite toy out and make them chase you around to take it.
- Play a game of fetch.
- Take them out for a walk.
Essentially, you have to try to distract your teething puppy from the discomfort of teething and get them engaged in an activity they will enjoy.
The stimulation and change of environment will also do wonders for their general health.
Who knows, they might even get their paws on a stick they like playing with more than your belongings!
Use taste deterrents
You can apply taste deterrents, like bitter apple spray, to the furniture your dog gravitates towards when it wants to nibble.
As the name suggests, the repulsive taste will prevent your dog from chewing on the area. Over time, they will learn to associate the area with a foul flavor and eventually give up on their habit.
Deterrents are also significant if you’ve wondered, “What can I put on my couch to keep my dog off?”
While several deterrents are available on the market, you could quickly whip up something at home, too. Here’s how:
- Mix 2 cups of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of white vinegar
- Pour it into a spray bottle
- Spritz some onto the furniture, and you’re good to go!
Just remember that deterrents tend to wear off. So, you will have to reapply the deterrent to keep it effective.
Provide chew treats and toys
Teething can cause discomfort and pain, so your dog must chew on something. Once you’ve accepted that there’s no way around the chewing, here’s what you can try:
- Give them some delicious chewy treats to make them feel a little better. It’s also a great way to give them essential nutrition if the teething has affected their appetite. You can also use them to deliver medication if your dog’s in too much pain.
- Try frozen rubber toys. The cold helps temporarily alleviate their pain and provides much-needed respite.
- Give them something healthy like cold carrots.
- Offer puppy-specific toys designed to help ease chewing pain.
Start training early
Begin setting rules and boundaries and training your pup about chewing etiquette early.
Not sure how to go about it? Consider the following:
- Teach your dog which items they’re not allowed to chew.
- Train them to stay off the sofa.
- Be firm when they chew your belongings, but do not punish them.
- Occasionally, give your puppy treats to reward good behavior.
- Have a regular teeth-cleaning routine.
- Train them about bite inhibition.
Teaching your dog the right things is always easier than making them unlearn bad habits.
Break bad habits
Teething can lead puppies to chew on anything they can, including furniture, cables or electric cords, and shoes.
While it’s a natural part of their development, redirecting this behavior to protect your belongings is essential.
Here are specific strategies to tackle some of these issues:
Chewing on furniture
Furniture legs are often an easy target for curious puppies. To prevent this, use furniture protectors and consider applying leg covers or spray coatings to deter chewing. These protective solutions can effectively keep your furniture safe without ruining its appearance.
Ensure your puppy has access to durable chew toys that they find appealing. Look for toys made from materials that mimic the texture of furniture legs but are safe to chew.
When you catch your puppy chewing on furniture legs, immediately redirect it to its chew toy. Use a firm but gentle voice to say “no” and guide it to its designated toy.
Chewing on cables or cords
Electric cables pose a significant chewing hazard. To safeguard these items, use cable organizers or cord concealers to keep cables out of reach.
You can secure them along baseboards to make them less accessible or apply pet-safe bitter deterrent sprays on cables to discourage chewing. Most puppies dislike the taste, which can help deter them from this behavior.
Create a designated play area without cords. This can be a safe space with chew toys and comfort items, keeping them away from potentially dangerous objects.
Chewing on shoes
Shoes are tempting to chew for puppies. Keep shoes in a closed closet or on elevated shelves to curb this behavior. Out of sight means out of mind for a curious puppy.
Similar to furniture, it’s crucial to provide your puppy with enticing chew toys specifically designed for them. If they seem more interested in your shoes, introduce a shoe-shaped chew toy to draw their attention away.
Reward your puppy with praise or treats when it chews on dog toys instead of your shoes. This positive reinforcement encourages the puppy to make better choices.
Provide vet care to teething puppies
Regular veterinary check-ups during the teething phase of a puppy’s life are essential for several reasons.
This period, which typically occurs between three to six months of age, is not only a time of physical change as adult teeth push through but also an opportunity to ensure the overall health of your growing dog.
Firstly, during these check-ups, your veterinarian can monitor the progress of your puppy’s dental development.
They can identify potential issues such as misalignment of teeth or retained baby teeth, which can lead to discomfort and dental problems if left unaddressed.
Early intervention can significantly impact your puppy’s long-term dental health.
Secondly, regular visits provide an opportunity for vaccinations, parasite control, and general health assessments that are crucial for a puppy’s development.
This is particularly important as teething can sometimes make puppies more susceptible to infections and other health issues due to stress.
Proper dental care during the teething phase is vital in establishing a good foundation for your puppy’s lifelong health.
Dogs require routine dental hygiene to prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Start by introducing dental chews and toys designed to support dental health. These can help alleviate some discomfort associated with teething while promoting healthy gums and teeth.
Additionally, establishing a routine of brushing your puppy’s teeth using dog-specific toothpaste can set the stage for a lifetime of good dental hygiene.
During this stage, puppies are more adaptable to new experiences, so introducing them to brushing early can make it a non-negotiable part of their care.
Final thoughts about teething puppies
If you ask any dog owner what they want to change about their pups, the answer will undoubtedly be teething nibbles.
Though it’s a natural part of life, and we’ve learned to accept it, teaching proper teething habits is still essential, as this could continue well into adulthood.
You can protect furniture from a teething puppy in a few simple ways:
- Train a teething puppy to chew the right things — namely, their chew toys.
- Use distractions and taste deterrents to discourage them from chewing your furniture, shoes, cords, and everything else that might tempt them.
- Be patient and kind, and don’t punish them. Teething puppies are babies, and they don’t know better.
- Play an active role in making things easier for your pup. Keep things out of reach and supervise your dog as much as possible.
Now that you know how to protect furniture from dogs chewing, you’re all set to deal with a teething pup.
Enjoy the pup parenthood journey without sacrificing your favorite objects for teething puppy nibbles.
Paul Andrews has years of experience in raising cute puppies into quality dogs. He uses his expertise to help new pet parents via his blog, The Upper Pawside. An animal lover, he strives to educate others on the joy of having a pet to encourage more families to adopt a dog.