It took you forever to get, but you finally beat the bots and those idiot scalpers and got yourself a next-gen console, or maybe a classic system you’ve had your eye on for years. But then the worst happens: your dog chewed up your PS5, Xbox, or Switch! Why do dogs chew on video game consoles? What sprays will stop this? Is your dog jealous of your video game console?

Today, we’ll answer all of these questions and fill you in on why your dog chewed up your video game console. And obviously, we’ll tell you exactly how to stop your dog from chewing on your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo once and for all. Soon, you’ll be able to game without worrying about what your dog might do. Keep reading below!

Why Do Dogs Chew on Video Game Consoles?

Dogs chew on video game consoles because they’re going through anxiety, and when they chew on things it releases endorphins that soothe them. Your gaming console also has the added benefit of carrying your scent, which your dog also likes. Many dogs particularly enjoy the hard plastic your PS5, Xbox, or Switch is made with.

Other less likely possibilities are that your dog is teething and trying to ease their pain (if they’re still under six months old), or your dog is just plain bored and needs some playtime and attention. In this case, your dog would still be chewing because it feels nice, but they’re not trying to soothe away any anxiety.

But obviously, your gaming console was very expensive both in time and money, especially if you had to get it from a scalper. In addition, thanks to these “businessmen,” getting a new gaming system might be impossible with current shortages not showing any sign of letting up. So clearly you need to stop this problem now before your system gets destroyed.

It’s likely your dog isn’t just chewing on your gaming console either. I’ll bet you’ll probably also find that your dog is chewing on your game cases, chewing on your gaming microphone, and chewing on your gaming controllers too. And if they’re not already, there’s a good chance it’ll start happening soon if they’ve already been going after your system itself.

To stop your dog from chewing on your gaming console and your other gaming peripherals, you need to do so through behavioral training. You can skip to the last section now, where we’ll give you the exact steps to follow so you can do that.

What Sprays Can I Use to Get My Dog to Stop Chewing on My Game Console?

A spray your can use to get your dog to stop chewing on your game console is a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar. Make the combination in a spray bottle, then apply it to a cloth. Wipe the plastic areas of your console down with it. The smell will go away after about an hour (once it’s dried), but the scent will remain and will deter your dog.

Distilled white vinegar is safe to use on electronics, but be sure to keep it away from any screens, like the one on your Switch, for example. It’s important to note, however, that your dog’s issue with anxiety-related chewing will remain, so they’re just going to find a different outlet. To stop their problem for good, you need to use behavioral training.

Skip to the last section now where we’ll tell you how to fix your dog’s problem at its root so that you don’t have to spray down absolutely everything in your house.

Is My Dog Jealous of My Video Game Console?

Your dog is not jealous of your video game console. Dogs do not engage in revenge chewing or similar actions, but it is possible that they’re getting bored and chewing on your things — like your game console — because they’re restless due to a lack of attention from you.

This might make it seem like they’re chewing on your video game console to get back at you, but that is not the case. The most likely explanation, however, would be that they’re doing so to relieve anxiety. Chewing due to boredom prompted by a lack of attention would be a lesser possibility.

How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing on Your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo

To stop your dog from chewing on your PlayStation (PS4, PS5), Xbox (Series X, Series S, One), or Nintendo Switch:

1. Make a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle.
2. Apply the mixture to a cloth.
3. Wipe the plastic areas only (NOT on your Switch’s screen or any other screens).
4. The smell will go away after about an hour, but will still be detectable by your dog. Most will be deterred.
5. If you catch them in the act or sniffing around your console, give a calm but firm “no” or “stop” immediately.
6. Do not yell, get angry, or clap. Your dog is chewing on your gaming system likely due to anxiety, and these reactions will only make things worse.
7. Put them into time-out for 10 minutes in their crate or a closed-off room with no toys.
8. Let them out, then redirect them to a toy.
9. When they choose to chew on the toy instead of your system, reward them with pets, praise, and a small treat.
10. Place your console somewhere that your dog can’t get to it.
11. Make sure your dog is getting plenty of playtime, attention, and exercise.
12. Be sure that anyone else in the home is also following these steps.
13. Be patient and consistent.

These steps should get your dog to stop biting on your gaming console, but you’ll still need to address the underlying issue which was causing all of this to begin with: their anxiety. Without taking care of that, their destructive chewing will still occur, they’ll just find different things of yours to destroy.

And to properly get to the root of your dog’s problem, we should first talk about makes them tick. You’ve probably heard before that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader. When your dog chews up your gaming console or other items because they’re experiencing anxiety, it’s a definitive sign that they don’t trust you in this role.

If they did, they would not feel anxious and would not feel the need to destructively chew. They would stay calm and settled, even when you’re not around. They would only chew on things to relax and have fun, and only items like their toys. And they would happily obey your commands at all times.

Once you’ve proven to your dog that you are not just their pack leader — but a worthy, capable one — you’ll make all of these great things a reality.

You win because you don’t have to claw together the money for a new system (if you can even find one). But most importantly, your four-legged teammate wins, because you’ll have freed them of all the stress, anxiety, and worry that they’re currently lugging around 24/7.

Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?

“Sure, but how am I supposed to do all of this?”

You should watch an excellent free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this exact subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In the series, Dan 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 changes in your dog before your console gets destroyed.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And no, you’re not going to have to yell or be mean to your four-legged friend. Dan never uses those types of methods. Not just because loving teaching techniques are the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

I’m sure you’re ready to quit stressing about what might happen to your hard-earned gaming console, so I’ll let you get started now. Good luck with everything, and thank you for reading our article “Stop Your Dog Chewing on Video Game Console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo).”