How to Stop Dogs from Chewing & Scratching Everything: A Vet’s Guide (2025) 🐶🛡️ 

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Hello—I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian and Ask A Vet founder. Destructive chewing and scratching are common but often avoidable with insight and planning. In this vet‑approved guide, learn:

• 🐾 Why dogs chew and scratch—normal behavior or deeper issues
• 🧩 How to determine the motivation: teething, boredom, anxiety, escape
• 🛠 Practical solutions: management, training, enrichment, deterrents
  

1. Why Dogs Chew & Scratch

Chewing and scratching serve many purposes:

• Teething/exploration: Puppies explore with mouths and claws
• Boredom or lack of enrichment: Dogs need mental and physical challenges to stay content
• Anxiety or stress: Separation anxiety or barrier frustration can trigger destructive behavior
• Attention seeking or habit: Learned over time when behaviors are reinforced
• Medical causes: Pain, dental issues, or allergies may be the underlying trigger

2. Behavior Detective: The What, When & Where

• What? Are they chewing shoes, furniture, walls, or digging in yard?
• When? Only alone? While you’re home? At specific times?
• Where? At doors, barriers, crates, couches, yard areas protruding to wildlife?

Mapping patterns helps you tailor solutions—whether it's anxiety-related, boredom-driven, or instinctual behavior.

3. Step‑by‑Step Solutions

3.1 Rule Out Medical Issues

A vet check is essential to rule out pain, dental disease, allergy, infection, or pica.

3.2 Dog‑Proof Your Environment

• Keep valuables out of reach—shoes, cords, remote controls
• Use crates or gated safe zones when you can’t supervise
• Block visual triggers to reduce barrier or prey-driven behavior

3.3 Offer Enrichment & Exercise

• Long walks, fetch, training sessions, treadmill activity
• Mental games—food puzzles, nose work, Doggy day care
• Chew toys—durable, varied types and rotated to prevent boredom

3.4 Apply Deterrents & Redirection

• Use bitter-spray deterrents on off-limit items
• Redirect to acceptable chew options; reward compliance
• Avoid punishment—redirect instead of scolding to prevent fear

3.5 Manage Anxiety & Barrier Frustration

• Use crates strategically (when not stress-causing)
• Desensitize barriers; train calm behavior at crates/doors
• Consider pheromone diffusers, white noise, or calming wraps

3.6 Consistency & Supervision

Supervise closely and use baby gates or crates until safe behavior becomes habit.

4. How Ask A Vet,

• Ask A Vet App: Share behavior videos and get expert guidance on stress, training tips, and rule-out medical issues.

5. When to Seek Professional Help

• Persistent chewing or escalation (destruction of doors, walls)
• Aggressive guarding of items or reactivity when redirected
• Signs of severe anxiety—pacing, drooling, vocalizing, and self-trauma
• No improvement after consistent management and enrichment
• Consider a veterinary behaviorist or certified trainer

📌 Final Thoughts from a Vet

Destructive chewing and scratching are rarely rebellion—they signal your dog’s needs: attention, stimulation, comfort, or relief from stress. By observing carefully, vet-checking, enriching their life, and using management tools, you can redirect behaviors into positive outlets. With consistency and kindness—and support from Ask A Vet telehealth.🐾❤️