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Dog Eating Wood Floor? How to Stop Dog Chewing Floorboards [Guide]

Dealing with a dog eating the wood floor or a dog chewing floorboards? This can be a frustrating and potentially dangerous issue, but we’re here to guide you through understanding and solving this problem.

In this article, we’ll tackle why dogs eat or chew on wood floors and floorboards, the steps to take immediately after, and how to prevent this behavior from happening again. Keep reading to learn how to protect your dog and your floors from this destructive habit.

Dog Eating Wood Floor

Dog Eating Wood Floor

If your dog is eating wood flooring, it’s a concerning behavior that needs immediate attention. This can be harmful to your pet, potentially leading to splinters in the mouth, digestive tract issues, or even toxic reactions if the wood is treated with chemicals.

Dog Ate Wood Floor, What Do I Do?

If your dog ate part of your wood floor, the first step is to remove any remaining pieces from their reach. Check your dog’s mouth for splinters and monitor for signs of discomfort or distress. If you notice any unusual behavior or if your dog seems to be in pain, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Why Dogs Eat Wood Floors

Dogs chew on wood floors typically due to boredom, anxiety, or a lack of appropriate chew toys. It could also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency or a medical condition like pica, where dogs eat non-food items.

How to Stop Dog Eating Wood Floor

To stop your dog from eating wood floors:

  • Provide appropriate chew toys: Offer a variety of safe, engaging chew toys to satisfy your dog’s natural chewing instinct.
  • Ensure sufficient physical and mental stimulation: Regular exercise and mental enrichment activities can help alleviate boredom and anxiety, reducing the likelihood of destructive behaviors.
  • Train the “leave it” command: This command teaches your dog to ignore unwanted items. Start by holding a treat in your hand, allowing your dog to sniff but not eat it. When your dog stops trying to get the treat, say “leave it,” give them the treat, and praise them. Gradually increase the difficulty by using different items and practicing in various environments.

Your dog eating wood flooring is a serious concern that requires immediate action. Taking these steps will help, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issues (anxiety, boredom, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present.

And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog eating wood flooring and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog eating hardwood flooring ever again!

Dog Chewing Floorboards

Dog Chewing Floorboards

If you find your dog chewing on floorboards, it’s a behavior that needs to be addressed right away. Chewing on floorboards can be harmful to your dog, potentially leading to splinters, injuries, or ingestion of harmful substances.

Dog Chewing on Hardwood Floor

When a dog chews on hardwood floors, it can damage both the flooring and the dog’s teeth. If you catch your dog in the act, calmly redirect their attention to a more appropriate chew toy or activity. Check for any signs of damage to their teeth or gums and contact your vet if you have concerns.

Learn the steps you need to take to prevent future incidents by going back to the first section now.

Why Is My Dog Biting the Floor?

Your dog is biting the floor due to various reasons such as boredom, anxiety, or even a nutritional deficiency. Teething is also a possibility with puppies. In some cases, this behavior could indicate a medical condition like pica, where dogs are compelled to eat non-food items. Identifying the cause is important for effectively addressing this behavior.

How to Stop Dog Chewing Floorboards

Stopping your dog from chewing floorboards involves a combination of supervision, providing appropriate chew toys, and redirecting their behavior. Consistent training, including the use of commands like “leave it,” can also help. Learn it now in the first section.

Ensure your dog has enough physical exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and anxiety, which often lead to destructive behaviors like chewing floorboards or biting table legs.

Dealing with a dog chewing on floorboards requires understanding the underlying cause of the behavior and taking proactive steps to prevent it. Providing suitable chew toys, engaging in regular training, and ensuring your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise are key strategies in addressing this issue and maintaining a safe environment for your pet.

You’re probably ready to get going now that you have all of your questions about your dog chewing hardwood answered, so I’ll let you begin. Best wishes, and thank you for reading our article “Dog Eating Wood Floor? How to Stop Dog Chewing Floorboards [Guide]”.

The Author

KB Williams

KB Williams

Hey there! I'm a dog behavior expert and lover of travel. Since 2016, I've been sharing my knowledge of dog training and behavior while exploring the Pacific Northwest with my two rescues.