Top 11 'Chew-Redirecting' Training Techniques to use at home for Saving Your Furniture from a Teething Puppy - Goh Ling Yong
You’ve just welcomed a bundle of pure, unadulterated joy into your home. This tiny, fluffy creature with puppy-dog eyes and a tail that wags its entire body is perfect in every way. Except for one tiny, very sharp detail: their teeth. And those teeth, it seems, have declared war on every piece of furniture you own. The leg of your antique coffee table? A chew stick. The corner of the new area rug? A teething ring. Your favorite pair of sneakers? A delicious, forbidden snack.
If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You are not alone, and your puppy is not a tiny, furry demon sent to destroy your home decor. This relentless chewing is a completely normal, natural, and necessary part of puppyhood. Between three and six months of age, your puppy's baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth come in. This process, known as teething, can be uncomfortable and even painful. Chewing helps alleviate the pressure on their gums, much like a human baby chews on a teething ring. It's an instinct they simply can't ignore.
The secret to surviving this phase isn't about stopping the chewing altogether—that's impossible. The key is to teach your puppy what they are allowed to chew. It’s all about management and redirection. Punishing a puppy for doing something that is instinctual is not only unfair but also ineffective and can damage your bond. Instead, we're going to empower you with proactive, positive techniques to guide their little mouths toward appropriate outlets. Let's dive into the top 11 chew-redirecting strategies to save your sanity and your sofa.
1. Master the Classic Swap
This is the foundational technique of chew redirection, and it’s beautifully simple. The moment you see your puppy chewing on something they shouldn’t—a chair leg, a pillow, an electrical cord—you're going to perform a swift and positive swap. The goal is to make the "legal" chew toy seem way more exciting than the forbidden item.
Here’s how it works: When you catch them in the act, use a calm but firm interrupter, like "Ah-ah!" or "Nope." Avoid yelling, as this can either scare your puppy or make them think it's a fun game. Immediately, present them with an appropriate and high-value chew toy, like a flavored Nylabone or a rubber Kong. Wiggle it around, make it seem exciting, and once they release the forbidden item and grab the toy, shower them with praise. "Yes! Good puppy! What a good chew!"
The key here is consistency. You will likely do this dozens of times a day in the beginning. It's not a one-and-done fix. You are patiently teaching your puppy the rules of the house, one chewed table leg at a time. The more you practice this, the more your puppy will learn to seek out their own toys when the urge to chew strikes.
2. Puppy-Proof Your Palace
You wouldn't let a human toddler have free reign of a house full of sharp objects and cleaning supplies, right? The same logic applies to your puppy. The most effective way to stop your puppy from chewing on your things is to make it impossible for them to get to those things in the first place. This is called management, and it’s your best friend during the teething phase.
Get down on your hands and knees to see the world from your puppy's perspective. What’s within reach? Electrical cords should be tucked away or covered with cord protectors. Shoes, remote controls, and kids' toys should be put away on high shelves or in closets. Use baby gates to block off rooms with valuable furniture or use a puppy playpen to create a safe, puppy-proofed zone for when you can't provide 100% supervision.
Setting your puppy up for success is far more effective than constantly correcting them for failures. By managing their environment, you reduce the number of times you have to say "no," which builds a more positive relationship and makes training sessions more impactful.
3. The Toy Rotation Trick
Have you ever noticed how your puppy goes wild for a brand-new toy, only to ignore it a few days later? Puppies, like children, thrive on novelty. If all their toys are scattered across the floor all the time, they lose their special appeal. The forbidden table leg, however, is always a new and exciting challenge. You can combat this by implementing a simple toy rotation system.
Gather up all of your puppy’s chew toys and divide them into three or four groups. Only leave one group of toys out at a time. Every few days, or maybe once a week, pick up the current set of toys and swap them out for a "new" set from the closet.
When you bring out the rotated toys, make a big deal about it! "Look what I have! New toys!" This simple trick keeps their designated chew items fresh and exciting. It helps them maintain interest in their own belongings, making them less likely to go searching for illegal entertainment. This is a technique I, Goh Ling Yong, have found to be incredibly effective in keeping a puppy's focus where it belongs: on their own stuff.
4. Bitter Sprays: The Taste Deterrent
Sometimes, no matter how much you manage the environment, there are certain things you just can't move, like the legs of your dining room table or the wooden baseboards. For these immovable objects, a taste deterrent spray can be a game-changer. These sprays, such as Bitter Apple or Bitter Cherry, have a taste that is repulsive to most (but not all) dogs.
The trick to using them effectively is to create a negative association with the object itself, not with you. Don't just spray it and hope for the best. First, spray a little bit on a cotton ball and let your puppy lick it. They'll likely recoil, shake their head, and spit. This is good! They've learned that the substance itself is yucky. Now, you can apply the spray to the furniture legs, cords, or other items they've been targeting.
Reapply the spray every few days as the taste and smell will fade over time. It's a great tool to have in your arsenal, especially for those persistent chewers. Just remember that it’s a deterrent, not a substitute for supervision and redirection training.
5. Freeze for Relief
Think about how good a cold compress feels on a burn or how a cold drink soothes a sore throat. The same principle applies to your teething puppy's sore gums. Cold and frozen items can provide immense relief, making them a highly desirable alternative to your wooden furniture.
Get creative with your freezer! A classic choice is a Kong toy stuffed with puppy-safe peanut butter, plain yogurt, or pureed pumpkin and then frozen solid. This not only soothes their gums but also provides a long-lasting mental challenge as they work to get the goodies out. You can also freeze whole carrots (a great, healthy chew), or simply soak a dish towel or a rope toy in water, wring it out, and freeze it.
Offering a frozen treat when you notice your puppy getting particularly "mouthy" or seems uncomfortable can be a lifesaver. It directs their chewing need onto a safe and satisfying object while also providing a bit of pain relief.
6. Teach the "Leave It" Command
While redirection is a reactive strategy (used after the chewing starts), teaching a solid "Leave It" command is a proactive one. This command teaches your puppy self-control and tells them to ignore an item and turn their attention back to you instead. It's one of the most important safety and management cues a dog can learn.
Start simple. Place a low-value treat (like a piece of their kibble) in your closed fist. Let your puppy sniff and lick your hand. The moment they pull their head away, even for a second, say "Yes!" and give them a high-value treat from your other hand. Repeat this until they are automatically pulling away from your closed fist. Then, you can start adding the "Leave It" cue as they move away.
Gradually, you can progress to placing the treat on the floor under your hand, and eventually, to an uncovered treat on the floor. This command is a superpower. When you see your puppy making a beeline for a shoe they’ve spotted across the room, a confident "Leave It" can stop them in their tracks, preventing the chewing before it even begins.
7. Provide Mental Enrichment
A bored puppy is a destructive puppy. Chewing isn’t just for teething; it’s also a way for dogs to relieve stress, anxiety, and boredom. If your puppy isn't getting enough mental stimulation, they will find their own ways to entertain themselves, and you probably won't like their choices.
Incorporate brain games into your daily routine. Instead of feeding them from a bowl, use a puzzle toy or a snuffle mat, which requires them to use their nose and brain to find their food. Short, fun training sessions throughout the day (5-10 minutes at a time) are another fantastic way to work their mind. Practicing commands like "Sit," "Stay," and the aforementioned "Leave It" tires them out just as much as physical play.
Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we are huge advocates for canine enrichment. A mentally tired puppy is far less likely to have the excess energy to go on a chewing rampage. It enriches their life, builds their confidence, and strengthens your bond.
8. Ensure Appropriate Physical Exercise
Just as mental exercise is crucial, so is physical exercise. A puppy with pent-up energy is a walking, chewing, bouncing ball of trouble. That energy has to go somewhere, and the corner of your couch is often an easy target. Providing structured outlets for that energy is a non-negotiable part of puppy ownership.
However, "appropriate" is the key word. A young puppy's joints and growth plates are still developing, so forcing them on long runs is dangerous. Instead, focus on short, frequent bursts of activity. A couple of 15-20 minute walks a day, games of fetch in a safe, enclosed yard, or a fun game of tug-of-war (with rules!) are excellent options.
The old saying "a tired puppy is a good puppy" is absolutely true. By meeting their physical needs, you significantly reduce their motivation to chew out of sheer, unspent energy. You'll find they are much more content to settle down with an appropriate chew toy after a good play session.
9. Use Crate Training as a Safe Haven
The crate should never be used as a punishment. When introduced properly, a crate becomes your puppy's personal den—a safe, cozy, and secure space where they can relax. It's also a 100% chew-proof environment, making it an essential management tool for when you absolutely cannot supervise them, like at night or when you have to run a quick errand.
Make the crate a wonderful place to be. Feed your puppy their meals in the crate, give them special crate-only toys (like a stuffed Kong), and cover it with a blanket to make it feel more den-like. Start by leaving them in the crate for very short periods and gradually increase the duration as they become more comfortable.
Using a crate prevents them from practicing bad habits, like chewing on the furniture or having accidents on the rug, when you're not there to guide them. It keeps them safe from household dangers (like electrical cords) and gives you peace of mind.
10. Interrupt and Redirect with Sound
Sometimes, you're across the room when you spot the crime in progress. In these moments, a sharp, attention-grabbing sound can interrupt the behavior long enough for you to intervene. This isn't about scaring them. It's about breaking their focus.
A sharp, loud clap of your hands or a quick, crisp "Hey!" or "Ah-ah!" is often enough to make them stop what they're doing and look at you. The moment their mouth leaves the forbidden object, your demeanor should switch from stern to happy. "Yes!" you can say cheerfully, as you walk over and immediately offer them their favorite squeaky toy or rubber bone.
The goal of the sound is simply to create a pause in the unwanted behavior. This pause is your window of opportunity to step in and redirect them to the right behavior. This teaches them that chewing on the furniture makes the fun stop, while chewing on their toys earns them praise and playtime.
11. Implement a Brief "Time-Out"
This technique should be used sparingly, only when your puppy is being persistently defiant and repeated attempts at redirection have failed. A time-out is not a punishment; it is the removal of all fun and attention for a very brief period, allowing the puppy to calm down and reset.
If you’ve tried swapping the toy and your puppy immediately goes back to chewing the chair leg, calmly and silently take them by the collar and lead them to a "time-out" area. This should be a boring, puppy-proofed room like a bathroom or laundry room, or their playpen (as long as it doesn't contain a ton of exciting toys). Leave them there for just 30-60 seconds.
The duration is critical—it should be just long enough to interrupt the cycle of bad behavior. Any longer and they'll forget why they're in there. When the time is up, let them out without any fanfare. Don't scold them or coddle them. Simply act as if nothing happened and give them a chance to make a better choice. If they go back to the furniture, repeat the process. They will quickly learn that chewing on forbidden items results in the end of all fun and attention.
Your Guide to a Chew-Free Home
Navigating the puppy teething stage can feel like a full-time job, but remember that this phase will pass. The key is not to get frustrated, but to be consistent, patient, and prepared. Your puppy isn't trying to be naughty; they are simply trying to navigate a new and sometimes uncomfortable developmental stage.
By combining management strategies like puppy-proofing with proactive training like teaching "Leave It" and reactive techniques like the classic swap, you are building a foundation of clear communication. You are teaching your puppy the rules of your human world in a way they can understand. Embrace the toys, the frozen carrots, and the training games, and before you know it, you'll have a well-behaved adult dog and your furniture will live to see another day.
Now we want to hear from you! What has been your biggest challenge during the puppy teething phase? Share your stories and your puppy's favorite chew toys in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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