Your dog chewing metal is strange, but you’re also worried they’re going to seriously hurt themselves. What can you do? What’s happening to make them do this? Why is your dog chewing on metal? Can dogs chew through metal? Do you even need to be concerned? Is it bad if your dog chews metal?

Today, we’ll answer each and every question you have about this distressing problem. We’ll also, of course, cover exactly how to stop your dog chewing on metal for good. Very soon, this will all be behind you for good. Continue reading below for our article “Dog Chewing Metal? Here’s How to Stop It!”

How to Stop Dog Chewing Metal

To stop dog chewing metal:

1. Keep metal objects hidden away or as out of reach from your dog as possible.
2. Be sure your dog always has available a proper outlet for their chewing such as a toy that can keep them busy.
3. Give a calm, firm “stop” or “no” the second you notice that your dog is again chewing on metal.
4. Do not yell or get upset, because if they’re misbehaving like this stemming from anxiety, this will only make their difficulties worse.
5. Place them into a brief time-out in a closed-off room or their crate for about ten minutes.
6. If you again catch them going after something metal, redirect their attention to one of their toys.
7. Reward them with praise, a treat, and praise when they choose a toy instead of chewing on metal.
8. Be sure that anyone else who lives in your house is also using these steps.
9. Remain consistent and patient.

This should help your dog to stop chewing on metal objects, but you’ll still need to address their disobedience which was caused by their underlying issues with anxiety. A failure to do so will just lead to your dog continuing to think that they run the show, and their problem will just start showing itself in even worse ways.

And to do that, we must first talk about what makes dogs tick deep down. You’ve likely heard before that all dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.

But every time that your dog chews metal, they are without a doubt proving to you that they have no trust for you in this leadership role.

If they did, they wouldn’t continue to chew on metal despite being told to stop repeatedly. They wouldn’t display any other types of anxiety-related disrespect or misbehavior. And they would immediately obey your commands at all times, and they would do so happily.

Prove to your dog that you are not just their pack leader, but a capable and deserving one who they must respect, and you’ll make all of these wonderful things your reality.

You’ll be better off for obvious reasons. But your dog will be too because they’ll no longer have to deal with all of the confusion and worry that their anxiety problems are currently burdening them with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

That sounds wonderful, don’t you think?

“Absolutely, yeah, but how do I do any of this?”

You should watch an incredibly helpful free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this exact subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In Dan’s series, he explains everything in ways that are very easy to understand and teach to your own dog, and he gets immediately to the point so that you can start seeing these critical changes in your dog before things get any worse.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry, because no, you’re not going to have to be mean or yell at your dog. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving teaching techniques at all times. Not just because they’re the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

Why Is My Dog Chewing on Metal?

Your dog is chewing on metal due to anxiety, boredom, or a condition known as pica. With anxiety, your dog chews metal because the process of chewing releases soothing endorphins which help to relax them. With boredom, they’re still getting pleasure (due to the chewing), and it just gives them something to do.

Pica is a condition in which dogs feel the need to eat things that are not food. A common target for dogs suffering from pica is metal. You may also see your dog licking metal if this is the cause of their strange chewing behavior.

You’ll often see pica associated with other issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are no single, specific reason why dogs suffer from this, but it can do them significant harm for obvious reasons. Other signs of pica include ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble defecating, black tar-like stools, burping, and drooling.

If you believe your dog chews metal due to pica (and not anxiety or boredom), see your vet right away. But if your dog isn’t showing any of the other signs, then your dog is probably just chewing metal because they’re anxious or bored.

It’s important, then, to start addressing things right away. Bored dogs can simply be given a toy, but they still need to learn proper behavior when they don’t have anything to do. Anxious dogs need to have the problem addressed at its root, because merely removing what they’re chewing on will just lead to them finding something else.

You’ll then find your dog chews on window sills, chews on plastic, chews on mulch, or chews on baseboards. Anything that feels right and helps ease their worries will make for a perfect target, and there will be a never-ending supply of them in your home.

I’m sure you can see why it’s important to handle this problem at its core. To learn how to stop your dog chewing metal while also getting a handle on what was causing it in the first place, go back to the first section now where we’ll walk you through exactly what to do.

Can Dogs Chew Through Metal?

Dogs cannot chew through metal generally. While possible if the metal is very thin or brittle, it’s very unlikely your dog will be able to chew through metal in almost all cases. Some dogs suffering from anxiety or stress have been known to chew through metal crates, but this is uncommon.

If your dog is chewing metal, they could be suffering from either anxiety or a disorder known as pica. For more help on what your dog might be experiencing, read through the previous section of this article.

Is It Bad if Your Dog Chews Metal?

It is bad if your dog chews metal. While it’s unlikely they’ll break through metal, they could easily cut or injure themselves around their mouth. Your dog chewing metal is also a sign of issues with them such as extreme anxiety or an eating disorder known as pica.

You should start taking steps to address what your dog is doing right away if you’ve noticed them chewing metal. In most cases, it’s anxiety that is relatively easily treated (go back to the first section now). Pica, however, is also a possibility — go back to the second section of this article to read about what you should look for.

I’m sure you’re sick of worrying about what your dog’s chewing, so I’ll let you get started on things now. Best of luck with everything, and thank you for checking out our article “Dog Chewing Metal? Here’s How to Stop It!”