How to Stop My Dog From Chewing the Walls (+Why They Do It!)
Wondering how to stop my dog from chewing the walls or asking yourself, “why is my dog chewing the walls?” You’re not alone in this struggle. It’s a common problem that can leave your home looking a bit worse for wear, but there are solutions.
Today, we’ll dive into why dogs chew on walls, be it out of boredom, anxiety, or other reasons. We’ll also provide you with effective strategies and what you can put on the walls to deter your furry friend from gnawing at them. Whether it’s during the night, when left alone, or just a bad habit your puppy has picked up, we’ve got the tips you need to protect your walls.
Keep reading to find out how to stop your dog’s destructive chewing!
How to Stop My Dog From Chewing the Walls
If your dog is chewing the walls, it’s a behavior that needs immediate attention to prevent damage to your home and ensure the safety of your pet. This destructive behavior can be caused by several factors, including anxiety, boredom, teething (in puppies), or even nutritional deficiencies. Understanding the root cause is the first step in addressing the problem effectively and keeping both your dog and your home safe.
Why Is My Dog Chewing the Walls?
Your dog is chewing the walls typically due to boredom, anxiety, or the need to chew stemming from natural instincts. Puppies may chew while teething to relieve discomfort, while older dogs might do so out of boredom or anxiety.
What Can I Put on Walls to Stop Dog Chewing?
To deter your dog from chewing walls, you can apply safe, non-toxic deterrents such as bitter apple spray or another commercial anti-chew spray. These products are designed to taste unpleasant to discourage your dog from chewing. Always test the product on a small area first to ensure it does not damage the wall.
How to Get Dogs to Stop Chewing Walls
To stop your dog from chewing walls, follow these steps:
- Provide plenty of appropriate chew toys to satisfy their need to chew.
- Ensure they get enough physical and mental exercise to prevent boredom.
- Use deterrents on the walls as a temporary measure while training.
- Consider crate training or using pet gates to restrict access to certain areas when you’re not able to supervise.
Addressing the issue of a dog chewing walls involves understanding the underlying cause and providing appropriate outlets for their energy and chewing needs. By combining environmental management, proper training, and adequate mental and physical stimulation, you can redirect this unwanted behavior into more acceptable outlets.
It’s important to remember, however, that any 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 chewing walls 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 chewing on the walls ever again!
Why Do Dogs Chew on Walls?
Dogs chew on walls for a variety of reasons, ranging from boredom and anxiety to teething in puppies and nutritional deficiencies. This behavior can also indicate an underlying medical issue or stress. Understanding the cause is the first step in addressing the problem and preventing further damage to your home while ensuring your dog’s well-being.
Dog Chewing Walls at Night
If your dog chews on walls at night, it may be due to anxiety or boredom. Nighttime can be particularly stressful for some dogs if they are left alone or if their sleeping area is not comfortable. Providing a cozy and secure sleeping environment, along with engaging in sufficient physical activity during the day, can help mitigate this behavior.
Learn how to address the chewing behavior itself by going back to the first section now.
Dog Chewing on Wall When Left Alone
A dog chewing on walls when left alone often suffers from separation anxiety or lacks mental stimulation. It’s important to provide plenty of interactive toys and consider crate training or a doggy daycare to keep them occupied and reduce their anxiety when you’re not home.
How to Get Puppies to Stop Chewing on Walls
Puppies often chew on walls while teething or exploring their environment. To discourage this behavior, offer plenty of appropriate chew toys and use deterrents like bitter apple spray on walls. Consistent training and supervision, combined with positive reinforcement when they choose the correct items to chew, can effectively redirect this natural behavior.
In conclusion, understanding why your dog chews on walls is essential in finding the right solution to stop the behavior. Whether it’s through providing more exercise, mental stimulation, or addressing anxiety issues, ensuring your dog’s physical and emotional needs are met can help eliminate unwanted chewing and protect your home.
You’re probably ready to get started now that you have all of your questions about your dog biting on the walls answered, so I’ll let you get going on things. Good luck, and thanks for checking out our article “How to Stop My Dog From Chewing the Walls (+Why They Do It!)”.