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, excitedly exploring 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 going through their teething stage.
So, how do you protect furniture from a teething puppy?
Can you prevent a teething puppy from chewing on furniture?
If you’ve recently brought home a puppy with persistent nibbles, you may find yourself asking, “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, it’ll be counterproductive if you’re considering punishing or training your puppy against chewing. 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 do have to chew!
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 that 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 seems to gravitate 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 sensation will temporarily alleviate their pain and provide much-needed respite.
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.
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 at heart, he strives to educate others on the joy of having a pet to encourage more families to adopt a dog.