Stop Dog Chewing & Scratching 2025: Vet Guide to Training & Relief 🐾
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Stop Dog Chewing & Scratching 2025: Vet Guide to Training & Relief 🐾
By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc
Destructive chewing and scratching are common, but frustrating habits in dogs. Whether caused by boredom, anxiety, teething, or medical reasons, this expert guide helps you understand the behavior, resolve underlying issues, implement training, and use supportive tools so your home and dog both thrive.1. 🧠 Understand Why Dogs Destroy Things
- Boredom or lack of stimulation: Dogs need both physical and mental enrichment.
- Curiosity or play: Exploring textures or testing boundaries can lead to damage.
- Anxiety, stress or compulsive behaviors: Including separation anxiety, OCD, or fear-driven urges.
- Teething and puppy exploration: Mouth drives in young dogs cause chewing everything.
2. 🔍 Behavior Detective: What, When, Why?
Careful observation is key:
- What specifically is damaged (shoes, furniture, walls)?
- When does it happen? When alone? Bored? Stressed?
- Is it chewing, scratching, or biting oneself? It might be pruritus or anxiety.
- Any signs of pain, allergy, or medical conditions?
3. 🚫 Management Tactics: Prevent Opportunity
- Dog-proof rooms and put tempting items away.
- Use baby gates, crates, or pen areas with safe toys only.
- Block off damaged zones (e.g., cover furniture, apply bitter spray).
- Rotate enrichment toys to maintain interest.
4. ⚙️ Enrichment: Physical + Mental Balance
- Daily walks, fetch, running support energy needs.
- Training sessions that challenge the mind and reinforce obedience.
5. 🐾 Redirect & Teach Appropriate Habits
- Observe early chewing cues and interrupt calmly.
- Offer an appropriate chew toy immediately and praise use.
- Use consistent positive reinforcement for correct behavior.
- Avoid punishing after the fact—dogs don’t link past actions to correction.
- Use bitter sprays sparingly to deter fence-baseboard chewing.
6. 👨⚕️ When to Suspect Medical or Behavioral Drivers
- Chewing or scratching skin—look for redness, irritation, self-harm.
- Sudden onset in previously behaved dogs—could indicate pain or stress.
- Swallowing hazards or ingesting objects—urgent vet evaluation needed.
7. 🏥 Vet & Specialist Evaluation
Your vet may perform:
- Physical exam and skin scrapings to check for parasites or infection.
- Allergy or food trial testing if chronic scratching.
- Behavioral consultation for anxiety or OCD patterns.
- Prescription treatments: Apoquel, Cytopoint, steroids, antihistamines.
8. 🛠️ Tools & Natural Supports
- Ask A Vet App: for on-demand advice, treatment oversight, and behavior help.
9. 🐕 Breed & Stage-Specific Insights
| Life Stage/Breed | Common Triggers | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies | Teething, exploring | Chew toys, supervision, prevent repeat mistakes |
| Adolescents | Energy, boredom, testing boundaries | Extra walks, training games |
| Adults | Habit, anxiety, lack of stimulation | Structured enrichment, redirect training |
| Seniors | Confusion, pain, cognitive decline | Vet check-ups, calming aids, gentle play |
| High-energy breeds | Frustrated without outlet | Agility, tug, structured exercise |
10. 📌 Key Takeaways
- Destructive chewing and scratching come from many causes—start by identifying triggers.
- Prevent temptation with dog-proofing and management.
- Provide physical and mental enrichment every day.
- Teach dogs what *to chew* using redirect and praise—not punishment.
- Consult your vet for signs of anxiety, medical issues, or injurious habits.
