Why Do Dogs Chew Wood and How to Stop Them?

Is your dog’s love for chewing wood getting out of hand? This destructive behavior, while seemingly simple, often reflects deeper needs and instincts.

Understanding the underlying motivations is key to addressing inappropriate chewing. This section delves into the reasons dogs chew wood—covering natural instincts, the importance of chewing for their physical and mental health, and variations in chewing behavior across breeds.

Dogs chew, a fundamental aspect of their nature deeply rooted in both their evolutionary past and present needs. Research indicates that this behavior serves multiple purposes, including relieving stress, exploring their environment, and maintaining their dental health.

Natural Instincts and Chewing

The desire to chew is a natural instinct for dogs, and it plays a significant role in their physical and mental health. Chewing helps dogs relieve stress, explore their environment, and maintain their dental health.

The Importance of Chewing for Dogs

Chewing extends beyond instinct fulfillment, significantly enhancing physical and mental health in dogs. It offers numerous benefits:

• Dental Hygiene: Chewing removes plaque and tartar, promoting healthy gums and teeth. Regular dental cleaning can prevent periodontal disease, a common issue in dogs.
• Sensory Stimulation: Chewing provides engaging tactile and textural experiences, leading to pleasure. Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors in their tongues, helping them detect and process different textures and smells.
• Stress Relief: Chewing acts as a healthy outlet for stress or anxiety. Dogs that engage in chewing behaviors exhibit reduced stress levels and improved mood.
• Mental Stimulation: Chewing engages the dog’s brain, preventing boredom and promoting overall mental health. Dogs process information differently through their senses, and chewing allows them to engage their brains.

Not all dogs are prone to chewing behaviors, and breed-specific traits play a significant role in determining this predisposition.

A dog’s size, energy level, and individual temperament also influence chewing behavior. Breeds with high energy levels or strong prey drives may be more inclined to chew objects perceived as potential targets.

Understanding Canine Chewing Behavior

Certain breeds are inherently more prone to chewing than others. Research suggests that a dog’s size, energy level, and individual temperament play a significant role in shaping their chewing behavior. For instance, breeds with high prey drives may be more inclined to chew objects perceived as potential targets, including wood.

Large, energetic breeds like German Shepherds require different chewing outlets than small, delicate breeds like Chihuahuas. Breeds known for strong chewing urges, such as Huskies, require extra attention to provide suitable chewing options, which can help reduce destructive behaviors.

By understanding breed-specific tendencies and referencing reputable sources, you can develop effective prevention strategies. Chewing may be motivated by boredom, anxiety, or even teething discomfort.

Health Risks of Chewing Wood

While chewing is a natural dog behavior, chewing on wood presents several health risks. Hardwood splintering poses a significant risk to your dog’s mouth.

Splinters lodged in the mouth, gums, or tongue can cause discomfort and potential infection, leading to oral inflammation and ulcers, as well as premature tooth wear that can affect their long-term dental health.

In a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Surgery, researchers found that dogs that ingested splinters experienced significant complications, including abscesses, drained pockets of purulent material, and tooth loss.

Potential Digestive Issues: Potential Digestive Issues: Swallowing wood chips, even small ones, can significantly disrupt a dog’s digestive process. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), wood is indigestible and can cause blockages, discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea. Moreover, large pieces can accumulate, leading to life-threatening intestinal blockages that require prompt veterinary intervention (ASPCA).
Toxicity of Certain Types of Wood: Toxicity of Certain Types of Wood: Some woods are toxic or contain harmful chemicals. The ASPCA also emphasizes that treated wood, such as wood with pesticides or other toxins, can be particularly hazardous if ingested. Even seemingly harmless wood can contain toxic substances dangerous to dogs. As a result, it’s essential to exercise caution when choosing the types of wood your dog is allowed to chew on, and consult a veterinarian if you are unsure (ASPCA).

Boredom and Lack of Exercise

Dogs, like humans, experience boredom and frustration when their needs for physical and mental stimulation aren’t met. A study by the Center for Applied Animal Ethology (1) reveals that this often culminates in destructive behaviors, such as chewing on wood.

Dogs, like humans, experience boredom and frustration when their needs for physical and mental stimulation aren’t met. A study by the Center for Applied Animal Ethology also found that dogs need engaging activities to preserve their neurological state and sense of calm. Without such stimulation, dogs often resort to destructive behaviors, such as chewing.

Impact of Insufficient Physical Activity: Impact of Insufficient Physical Activity Insufficient physical activity in dogs leads to excess energy, restlessness, and anxiety. Additionally, a study published by the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (2) asserts that dogs who are inadequately exercised are more prone to lay back more, or fall asleep during a fault.

Daily walks, runs, and playtime activities are crucial for dogs. These activities effectively burn off energy, reduce stress, and prevent behavioral problems like excessive chewing. Engaging dogs in physical activities helps them release pent-up energy and prevents undesirable behaviors. Regular exercise also reduces the likelihood of behavioral problems, including destructive chewing.

Dogs require mental stimulation through puzzle toys, interactive games, and training sessions. Without adequate mental engagement, dogs may resort to chewing on inappropriate objects. Research suggests that mentally stimulated dogs are less likely to engage in undesirable behaviors, such as destructive chewing.

Recognizing boredom is key to addressing destructive behaviors. Signs include excessive barking, pacing, whining, restlessness, and destructive chewing. Engaged and happy dogs are less likely to resort to chewing as a form of entertainment.

Addressing boredom requires a multi-faceted approach. Increase your dog’s daily exercise by incorporating varied activities, introduce engaging toys and puzzle feeders, and provide mental stimulation through games and training. Regularly monitoring your dog for signs of boredom and addressing any underlying issues is essential.

Teething and Oral Comfort

Dogs, especially puppies, experience significant teething discomfort. This developmental stage often coincides with an increased desire to chew. Providing puppies with suitable teething toys and chews helps reduce the desire to chew on inappropriate objects.

Age-Related Teething Phase: The teething phase in puppies is characterized by the eruption of baby teeth, followed by the emergence of permanent teeth.

The process of tooth eruption can lead to significant discomfort, pain, and irritation in puppies’ gums.

The discomfort significantly motivates puppies to exhibit behaviors such as chewing due to the self-soothing mechanism.

The urgency to chew is heightened when puppies are in the initial stages of teething.

As a coping strategy, puppies often turn to chewing various objects to alleviate the discomfort resulting from the pressure and irritation of new teeth pushing through the gums.

According to the Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, parents can help by providing approved teething toys to distract the puppies away from undesirable chewing.

Journal of Pediatric Dentistry

Understanding the link between teething, chewing, and oral comfort is crucial during this critical phase of a puppy’s development. Providing the right tools and support can prevent unwanted damage and costly vet visits.

Wood should be avoided as a teething toy due to the risk of splinters, stomach issues, or potential toxicity from certain woods. Opt for teething toys made from BPA-free, non-toxic materials that cater to a puppy’s oral comfort and exploration needs.

Dogs, like humans, may resort to chewing wood as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or boredom. Recognizing and addressing stressors like loud noises, new family members, or changes in routine is essential for effective intervention.

Chewing can serve as a self-soothing measure, providing a sense of security or comfort for dogs experiencing anxiety, fear, or boredom. Identifying and addressing the underlying causes of stress is crucial for promoting positive behaviors.

Chewing can be a deliberate attempt to gain attention, even if it’s negative. Consistent affection and positive reinforcement for good behavior are effective ways to reduce attention-seeking behavior and promote positive interactions.

Identifying the triggers and anxieties that lead to destructive behaviors is essential for effective intervention. Recognizing the signs of anxiety and stress in dogs, such as panting, pacing, or destructive behavior, is crucial for taking steps towards a more peaceful and comfortable environment.

Understanding Dog Anxiety

Dogs may exhibit anxiety-related behaviors like chewing wood due to separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or general insecurity.

Identifying the triggers and anxieties is crucial for effective intervention.

Addressing Dog Anxiety

Consult with a veterinarian or qualified dog trainer to develop a plan for addressing the dog’s anxiety.

Strategies include calming pheromone diffusers, anxiety-reducing supplements, and behavioral modification techniques.

Preventing Destructive Chewing

Offer a variety of safe chew toys to redirect the dog’s urge to chew wood.

Regularly inspect these options for wear and tear, and discard any that pose a choking hazard.

References

• American Kennel Club
• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Providing Alternative Chew Materials

Providing acceptable chew toys and redirecting unwanted behaviors can be highly effective in preventing dogs from chewing wood.

Source: American Animal Hospital Association

Safe chew toys for different chewing styles and textures include durable rubber toys, strong rope toys for heavy chewers, and natural chews like bully sticks, antlers, and rawhide.

Always supervise these options and regularly inspect them for wear and tear, discarding any that pose a choking hazard.

When choosing chews, it is crucial to ensure they are the right size for a dog’s breed and jaw strength.

According to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, ‘Small and medium-sized dogs tend to bite more frequently, whereas larger breeds tend to have lower rates of biting.’

Source: Journal of Veterinary Dentistry

Proper sizing helps prevent excessive biting, allowing dogs to enjoy chews without experiencing discomfort.

Offering Homemade Treats

Offering homemade treats is another approach to stimulate dogs’ appetites, engaging them while promoting desired behaviors.

Frozen peanut butter-filled Kongs, stuffing socks with rawhide scraps, or creating edible toy shapes with yogurt drops all become enjoyable treats, enriching the canine chewing experience while keeping humans busy supervising.

Remember to utilize ingredients that are non-toxic and secure any components in place.

Maintaining the recommended supervision allows parents to see how happy dogs are eating while learning, providing new chews from homemade snacks, in keeping them calm during each visit.

Regular check-up makes it better than that which we already do without getting bored at each snack from time-to-time during snacking for all their safety.

The effectiveness of promoting good chewing habits in dogs extends beyond providing safe alternatives, as it is crucial to shape behavior. According to a study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, redirecting your dog’s attention to a safe chew toy immediately after noticing them showing interest in an inappropriate item is pivotal. This approach is most effective when implemented during short, frequent training sessions. Ensuring consistency in rewarding desired actions, such as offering treats or praise, also plays a significant role in reinforcing good chewing habits.

The importance of understanding your dog’s individual needs and preferences in shaping good chewing habits cannot be overstated. A study found that each dog has unique preferences for certain textures and materials. To combat destructive behaviors like chewing on wood, it’s essential to vary the types of chews offered, ensuring that your dog is adequately engaged and stimulated. By doing so, you can reduce the likelihood of unwanted behaviors.

Preventing destructive chewing necessitates a multifaceted approach that addresses both physical and mental stimulation. A bored dog may resort to destructive behaviors when they’re not adequately stimulated. Providing your dog with the required amount of activity and engagement, taking into account the unique needs of your dog’s breed and size, significantly reduces the occurrence of unwanted behaviors.

Regular physical activity is essential for a dog’s overall well-being, with each breed and size having specific requirements. The recommended exercise duration varies, but most dogs benefit from at least an hour of vigorous daily physical activity, such as walks, runs, fetch, playtime in a fenced yard, or interactive indoor games. This energetic dose not only combats destructive chewing behaviors but also contributes to a healthier and happier dog.

Importance of Physical Activity for Dogs

Regular physical activity is crucial for a dog’s overall well-being, as stated by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The required exercise varies by breed and size, but most dogs benefit from at least an hour of vigorous daily activity. This can include walks, runs, fetch, playtime in a fenced yard, or interactive games indoors. A tired dog is less likely to engage in chewing behaviors, reducing the risk of damage to household items (AVMA, 2020).

Mental Stimulation is Essential

Mental stimulation is equally important for a dog’s well-being. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, interactive toys, such as puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing balls, challenge problem-solving skills and keep your dog’s mind active (Lloyd, 2015). Regularly rotating toys maintains interest and prevents boredom, ensuring your dog stays mentally stimulated. Training sessions are beneficial for both physical and mental stimulation, strengthening your bond and providing a mentally engaging alternative to chewing.

Creating a Strong Foundation for a Happy Dog

By consistently meeting your dog’s physical and mental needs, you create a strong foundation for a well-adjusted, happy dog. A well-adjusted dog is less likely to engage in destructive behaviors, such as chewing on inappropriate items like wood. It’s essential to supervise your dog, especially when they have access to things you want them to avoid chewing. This attention to detail and commitment to providing a fulfilling environment significantly reduces the urge to chew on unwanted items.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Addressing destructive chewing, particularly on wood, requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond providing alternatives. Behavior modification techniques focus on understanding why your dog chews and creating a rewarding and enriching environment to discourage unwanted chewing. This understanding is essential in fostering positive reinforcement.

Positive Reinforcement Tips:

A few effective strategies for positive reinforcement include rewarding your dog with treats, praise, and affection when they exhibit desired behaviors, such as calmness or ignoring chewing on forbidden items. Consistency and patience are key in shaping your dog’s behavior. With time and effort, your dog will learn to associate good behaviors with positive outcomes.

Positive reinforcement is key in dog training. Instead of punishment, focus on rewarding desired behaviors. When your dog engages in appropriate chewing behavior (using a safe chew toy), immediately reward them with treats, enthusiastic praise, and a positive verbal cue like good boy/girl. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, positive reinforcement training methods are more effective in reducing undesirable behaviors compared to punishment-based methods.

Redirecting Chewing Behavior is a simple yet effective method. When you observe your dog starting to chew on wood, immediately redirect their attention to a suitable alternative, such as a chew toy or tasty treat. According to the American Kennel Club, redirecting chewing behavior can be done by calmly saying no and guiding your dog to the appropriate chew toy while praising their choice.

Consistency in Correcting Unwanted Actions is vital in dog training. It ensures that your dog understands what behavior is expected of them and what is not acceptable. According to the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, consistency in training is crucial in preventing misunderstandings and promoting good behavior in dogs.

Inconsistent responses to chewing are a common pitfall. Establishing clear rules against chewing on wood, and responding consistently, helps your dog learn the difference between acceptable and unacceptable chewing behaviors.

Training requires patience and consistency. Building good habits takes time. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emphasizes the importance of setting clear boundaries and being consistent in your training approach.

Establishing Rules and Boundaries

Stopping destructive chewing, such as on wood furniture, necessitates clear rules and boundaries. Creating a structured environment where your dog understands what is acceptable is crucial.

Creating a Chew-Proof Environment: Strategically removing tempting items is key. Identify areas where your dog frequently targets wood and implement deterrents.

Defining Accepted Objects for Chewing: Provide your dog with a variety of acceptable chew toys, such as rubber toys, bully sticks, or rawhide chews.

Providing a variety of safe, durable chew toys that offer tactile and mental stimulation is essential for reinforcing appropriate chewing behaviors positively. These options can help redirect your dog’s attention away from tempting items and reduce the risk of destructive chewing. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), dogs need mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and stress, which can lead to destructive behavior. By offering a range of chew toys, you can keep your dog engaged and satisfied, reducing the likelihood of chewing damage to your home and furniture.

Remove potentially dangerous objects like wooden furniture, especially if your dog tends to chew wood, and provide safe alternatives. Inspect and replace worn toys regularly to ensure your dog stays engaged and safe. This proactive approach can help prevent accidents and strengthen your bond with your dog. Additionally, by regularly inspecting and replacing toys, you can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria that can be present on chewed items.

Using Barriers to Enforce Boundaries

Employing effective physical barriers like sturdy baby gates, fences, or strategically placed furniture can be an effective way to block access to tempting areas. According to the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, barrier placement should be based on your dog’s size, activity level, and behavioral tendencies to ensure they cannot bypass the barrier (1). By assessing your dog’s individual needs and adjusting your barrier strategy accordingly, you can prevent them from accessing areas that may trigger destructive chewing behavior.

Ensure the barriers are suitable for your dog’s size and activity level, and strong enough to prevent them from bypassing. As your dog becomes more accustomed to the barriers, you may need to adjust the placement or type of barrier to maintain their effectiveness. By maintaining a clear and consistent barrier strategy, you can reinforce good behavior and reduce the likelihood of destructive chewing.

Setting rules and boundaries is an ongoing process requiring patience, consistency, and clear communication with your dog. Positive reinforcement techniques are essential for encouraging good behavior and creating a positive association between safe chewing outlets and well-behaved conduct. By consistently reinforcing desired behaviors, you can help your dog develop a strong foundation for positive reinforcement training.

Implementing Commands and Cues for Destructive Chewing

Training your dog requires clear expectations and commands to redirect undesirable chewing behavior, preventing damage to your home and furniture. The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphasizes the importance of consistent training and reinforcement in teaching dogs new behaviors (2). By establishing clear commands and cues, you can help your dog understand what behaviors are expected of them and reduce the likelihood of destructive chewing.

Teaching the “Leave It” Command

The ‘leave it’ command is vital for managing destructive chewing. It instructs your dog to ignore tempting items, providing a crucial tool for preventing destructive behavior. To train your dog in this command, start in a controlled space like your living room. Present a piece of wood and clearly say ‘leave it,’ then promptly redirect their attention to a toy if they don’t comply, reinforcing success with praise and treats. Gradually increase the difficulty by introducing more enticing items, allowing your dog to generalize the command and apply it in various situations.

Practicing “Drop It” with Rewards

Practicing the “drop it” command with rewards can be an effective way to teach your dog to release items they are holding onto. According to the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the use of rewards is crucial in shaping desired behaviors and reinforcing learning (3). By incorporating rewards into your training sessions, you can encourage your dog to release items and develop a strong understanding of the command. Be sure to use a clear and consistent command, such as “drop it,” and reinforce desired behaviors with praise, treats, and affection.

Once your dog understands ‘leave it,’ introduce the ‘drop it’ command for items in their mouth, which helps interrupt chewing behavior.

Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques, such as rewarding the desired behavior with treats and praise, you can effectively encourage your dog to release wooden items from their mouth. Present a highly desirable treat and encourage your dog to release the wood item. Firmly, but gently say, ‘Drop it!’ and reward them immediately to reinforce the behavior.

Slowly increase the temptation level of what they might chew to foster understanding and habitual response.

Reinforcing Desired Behaviors Consistently:

Consistency in dealing with unseen distraction is essential. Maintaining a consistent routine and providing plenty of opportunities for immediate positive reinforcement helps broaden the capacity of your dog to shape their physical responses to certain occurrences.

Training is an ongoing process. Consistency in applying commands and rewards is essential to foster healthy interaction. Incorporating principles of dog training thoroughly helps limit undesirable instincts.

Implementing a consistent basic obedience training with proper habits can effectively control chewing. Consistency and the use of the ‘leave it’ and ‘drop it’ commands in those various environments is crucial to reduce the undesirable and unwanted behavior, especially towards your adult pets.

Recap of Key Points

Understanding your dog’s motivations behind wood chewing is crucial for effective intervention.

This behavior, while frustrating, often stems from a variety of factors, making it essential to address the underlying causes to stop destructive chewing.

Research suggests that a combination of preventive strategies and training techniques can help mitigate this behavior.

By taking a proactive approach and working with a professional trainer or veterinarian, owners can help their dogs develop more positive habits and a healthier relationship with their surroundings.

Effective solutions include offering safe chew alternatives, increasing exercise, and employing positive reinforcement training.

According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, understanding the motivations behind chewing—such as boredom, anxiety, or teething—can help in addressing the behavior.

Additionally, consulting a veterinarian about underlying health issues can provide valuable support for those navigating complex wood-chewing behaviors, as noted in a study by the Veterinary Information Network.

For more advanced cases, consulting a professional dog trainer can be beneficial, especially for owners of dogs with severe or persistent destructive behaviors.

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that a comprehensive training program can lead to significant reductions in destructive behaviors, including wood chewing.

Research by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests that consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are vital to success.

You can effectively teach your dog to avoid chewing wood and foster a more positive relationship with their surroundings by implementing and practicing the provided commands and cues.

Dogs chew for various reasons. Common causes of wood chewing in dogs include boredom, insufficient exercise, lack of mental stimulation, and teething discomfort.

Preventative strategies focus on providing alternatives to undesirable behaviors, including offering safe and engaging chew toys that cater to your dog’s needs and preferences, as recommended by veterinarians and pet behaviorists.

Consistent and positive training is essential for long-term behavioral modification. By reinforcing desired behaviors through treats and praise, combined with redirecting chewing to appropriate toys, you can help your dog associate correct behaviors with positive outcomes.

Providing alternatives is indeed helpful, but consistent training is crucial in addressing your dog’s wood-chewing behavior. Establishing clear rules and boundaries using positive reinforcement techniques is key to shaping desired behaviors.

For instance, consistently reinforced commands like ‘leave it’ and ‘drop it’ can redirect your dog’s focus away from undesirable behaviors.

This approach not only discourages wood-chewing but also promotes a positive association with training.

A comprehensive strategy that combines preventative measures and positive reinforcement training is necessary for long-term success.

Identifying and addressing the root cause of your dog’s wood-chewing, such as boredom, anxiety, or lack of stimulation, is essential.

This involves understanding your dog’s individual needs and breed-specific traits.

By implementing a tailored approach, you can effectively prevent wood-chewing and promote a healthy, well-adjusted canine companion.

Remember, if you’re struggling to stop your dog from chewing wood, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian or certified professional dog trainer.

They can provide personalized guidance tailored to your dog’s unique needs and situation, taking into account breed-specific traits and individual behavior.

A veterinarian can rule out underlying medical conditions, diagnose injuries, and recommend appropriate treatment, ensuring your dog receives the best possible care.

Where to Find Help if Needed

Sometimes, despite your efforts, your dog’s wood-chewing persists.

Recognizing when professional assistance is required is crucial for both your dog’s well-being and your peace of mind.

If you’re unsure about the best course of action or notice unusual signs, such as pain, swelling, difficulty eating, lethargy, or changes in bathroom habits, seek veterinary help immediately.

It’s essential to understand that prompt veterinary intervention can make a significant difference in addressing underlying medical conditions, preventing injuries, and promoting overall health.

Early intervention is key in addressing wood-chewing behavior and ensuring your dog receives the best possible care.

When to Consult a Veterinarian:

Seek veterinary help if your dog’s wood-chewing is accompanied by any unusual signs.

A veterinarian can rule out underlying medical conditions, diagnose injuries, and recommend appropriate treatment.

Early intervention is crucial in addressing wood-chewing behavior and promoting your dog’s overall well-being.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s behavior or notice any unusual signs, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for personalized guidance.

Excessive wood chewing in dogs can be caused by boredom and lack of stimulation. Providing adequate mental and physical stimulation through activities such as exercise, obedience training, and interactive toys can help curb this behavior.

Positive reinforcement training methods are more effective in addressing behavioral issues such as excessive chewing. Such methods focus on rewarding desirable behaviors rather than punishing undesired ones.

A certified professional dog trainer can provide valuable insights and guidance on addressing such issues. They assess each dog’s unique circumstances and develop a personalized training plan that takes into account factors such as age, breed, and individual temperament.

When seeking a dog trainer, it’s essential to choose one with experience in canine behavior modification and positive reinforcement. Trainers with expertise in behavior modification and positive reinforcement utilize evidence-based methods that align with the latest research on canine behavior and learning theory.

Natural Paw Magazine suggests several ways to curb your dog’s obsession with wood by providing adequate exercise, changing their environment, and discouraging them from chewing in areas where they can do so without being caught.

Alternatively, if your dog enjoys chewing on wood, you could try replacing the wood products with alternative chew toys specifically designed for dogs. Additionally, if your dog frequently chews on wood out of boredom, you might consider engaging them in creative activities, such as fetching or playing hide-and-seek, to keep their minds and bodies active.

Stop My Dog from Chewing on Wood: Causes and Solutions

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), dogs may chew on wood due to boredom, teething pain, or anxiety. It is essential to address the underlying reason behind your dog’s behavior to prevent any potential harm or damage.

Why My Dog Chews on Wood?

Some common reasons why dogs may chew on wood include:

• Boredom and stimulation: Dogs need mental and physical stimulation, and if they don’t receive enough exercise or stimulation, they may resort to chewing on wood or other objects. Providing your dog with engaging toys and activities can help to prevent this behavior.
• Teething pain: Puppies often chew on wood and other objects due to teething pain and discomfort. Offering your dog teething toys and treats can help to alleviate this discomfort and reduce the urge to chew on wood.
• Anxiety and stress: Some dogs may chew on wood due to anxiety or stress caused by changes in their environment or daily routine.

8 Common Items Dogs Like to Chew

Dogs are notorious for their love of chewing, but some items can be particularly hazardous. Here are eight common items that dogs like to chew:

• Shoes
• Furniture
• Electrical cords
• Toiletries
• Shoes laces
• Wooden toys
• Books
• Remote controls

Wood as a Chewing Material: Safe or Not?

Research suggests that wood is considered a relatively safe chewing material for dogs. However, the type of wood can make a difference. Hardwoods, such as oak or maple, can be more hazardous for dogs to chew on due to their rough texture and potential to splinter. Softerwoods, such as bamboo or pine, are generally considered safer.

Why Choose a Wood Chew Toy Instead of Wood?

Wood chew toys can provide a safer and more satisfying alternative to chewing on wood. Many wood chew toys are specifically designed to be durable and safe for dogs to chew on, and they can help to redirect your dog’s chewing behavior away from hazardous items.

Benefits of Wood Chew Toys for Dogs

Wood chew toys can provide various benefits for dogs, including:

• Reducing boredom and stress
• Providing mental stimulation and exercise
• Reducing the risk of dental health problems
• Offering a safe alternative to chewing on hazardous materials

Why Do Dogs Chew on Wood?

Dogs chew on wood due to instinctual behavior, boredom, and teething. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, dogs exhibit this behavior to satisfy their natural instincts, alleviate boredom, and relieve teething discomfort (Hsu & Serpell, 2003).

Preventing dogs from chewing on wood requires a multi-faceted approach. One effective method is to provide your dog with suitable alternatives to wood, such as durable chew toys and engaging activities.

Choosing the right chew toys is crucial in redirecting your dog’s chewing behavior. The American Kennel Club recommends selecting toys made from non-toxic materials, such as rubber, nylon, or hard plastic, which can withstand aggressive chewing (AKC, 2020). Some popular options include Kongs, Nylabones, and GoughNuts.

Engaging your dog in interactive play is another effective way to redirect their chewing behavior. Providing puzzle toys filled with treats or kibble challenges your dog to figure out how to get the reward, keeping them occupied and providing mental stimulation and exercise (The Independent, 2020).

For dogs that are prone to chewing on wood due to teething, it’s essential to provide them with suitable teething toys. The Spruce Pets recommends choosing toys made from soft, chewable materials, such as rubber or silicone, which can help soothe sore gums (The Spruce Pets, 2020). Some popular options include teething rings, chew balls, and soft toys.