How to Stop Your Dog Chewing Furniture

Introduction: Why Dogs Chew Furniture and the Smart Answer

You want a calm home, not chewed table legs. If you are searching for how to stop dog chewing furniture, you are in the right place. Chewing is normal for dogs, yet it becomes a real problem when it targets your sofa, skirting boards, or chair legs. At Smart Dog Training, we use the Smart Method to turn that urge into calm, reliable behaviour you can trust in real life. This article walks you through clear steps you can use today, and explains when to work with a Smart Master Dog Trainer SMDT for faster results.

Every Smart programme is structured, progressive, and outcome driven. You will learn how to remove confusion, guide your dog fairly, and build habits that last. The results are calm choices around furniture, even when your dog is excited, bored, or left alone for short periods.

Recognising Chewing vs Normal Mouthing

Mouthing and light chewing can be normal, especially for puppies. Problem chewing is different. It is targeted, repetitive, and often happens when the dog is unsupervised or over aroused. You may see shredded cushions, gnawed wood, or torn rugs. Puppies may also chew during teething. Adult dogs may chew due to stress or lack of structure at home.

If chewing is paired with drooling, pawing at the mouth, or refusal to eat, there may be dental discomfort. If you suspect pain, speak with your vet. Training will still help, yet comfort and health come first.

Why Dogs Chew Furniture: Common Causes

Understanding the cause helps you choose the right fix. Smart Dog Training programmes target the root, then change the habit through clear training and management.

Teething and Age Stages

Puppies explore with their mouths. During teething, pressure on gums feels good. Chewing will spike at this time. Without structure, a puppy will choose the closest soft item or wood to soothe sore gums.

Boredom and Unmet Needs

Dogs need mental work, not just a quick walk. When needs are not met, they will self entertain. Furniture is still, present, and tasty for a bored dog. Smart training channels energy into tasks and calm stations so chewing fades.

Anxiety and Separation

Some dogs chew when worried. They may chew door frames near exits or corners of sofas near where you usually sit. Smart trainers address the emotion through structure and clear routines. We also build alone time skills step by step.

Lack of Clarity and Boundaries

Dogs repeat what works. If stealing a cushion leads to a fun chase, that behaviour is reinforced. If a dog is free to roam without guidance, the home becomes a toy shop. Clarity and boundaries stop confusion and make good choices easy.

How to Stop Dog Chewing Furniture with the Smart Method

The Smart Method is our proprietary system. It blends clarity, fair guidance, motivation, progression, and trust. This balance turns chaotic chewing into calm self control around valued items.

Clarity

Your dog must know what yes and no mean. We use precise markers so the dog understands when they are correct, when to try again, and when to stop. Clear language removes grey areas so furniture is never up for debate.

Pressure and Release

Guidance should feel fair. Smart trainers use light directional guidance on a lead and clear verbal markers to interrupt and redirect. The moment your dog makes the right choice, we release pressure and reward. This teaches accountability without conflict.

Motivation

We pay dogs for the behaviour we want. Food, toys, and praise help your dog choose chew toys over chair legs. Motivation keeps the work upbeat so your dog wants to repeat the good behaviour.

Progression

We build skills step by step. First in a quiet room. Then with mild distractions. Then in real life where the sofa and coffee table look very tempting. This is where most home plans fail. Smart progression makes the skill stick anywhere.

Trust

Training should bring you closer to your dog. As you set fair rules and reward good choices, your dog becomes calm and confident around furniture. Trust grows when your dog knows how to win.

Day One Management That Stops Damage Now

Management protects your home while training takes hold. Chewing is self rewarding, so every unsupervised success can set you back. Set up the space so your dog cannot make the wrong choice.

Smart Home Setup: Crates, Tethers, Pens, and Place

• Crate: Use an appropriately sized crate as a calm den, not a punishment. Give safe chews inside the crate so it predicts comfort and relaxation.
• Tether: A short, safe house lead attached to you prevents sneaky chewing and lets you interrupt and redirect fast.
• Exercise Pen or Baby Gate: Create defined zones. The living room is off limits when you cannot supervise.
• Place: Teach your dog to settle on a raised bed away from furniture. This is a core Smart skill for calm in busy spaces.

Remove Access, Supervise, and Rotate Zones

Close doors, use gates, and restrict freedom until your dog is making steady progress. Supervise in short, focused blocks. Rotate between toilet breaks, training reps, place rest, and crate naps to keep arousal low.

Chew Proofing Tips

• Lift cushions and throws when you leave the room.
• Block access to table legs with barriers during the early weeks.
• Store shoes and children’s toys in closed cupboards.
• Use cable covers for wires.

Build a Chew Habit You Want

We do not just stop chewing. We redirect it. Dogs have a biological need to chew. Smart training channels that urge onto safe items so your dog can relax.

The Chew Menu

Offer a mix of textures. Rotate daily so interest stays high.

• Firm rubber toys sized to your dog
• Durable nylon chews
• Rope toys for supervised sessions
• Stuffable toys with soft food for long calming chews

Always supervise new items. Remove anything that breaks into small pieces.

How to Introduce and Trade Items

1. Present the chew on your dog’s bed or place. Mark yes when they engage.
2. After a short period, approach, offer high value food, and ask for Drop.
3. Trade, then give the chew back. This builds trust and prevents guarding.
4. Repeat a few times, then end the session and store the chew.

Teach Leave It, Drop, and Place the Smart Way

These three skills form the backbone of how to stop dog chewing furniture. They create impulse control and give you reliable ways to redirect your dog.

Leave It: Step by Step

1. Start with food in a closed fist. When your dog stops trying to get it, mark yes and reward from the other hand.
2. Add the cue Leave It as your dog looks away from the fist.
3. Place low value items on the floor. Lead on. Say Leave It once. Guide away if needed. Mark and pay calm disengagement.
4. Progress to furniture surfaces with a placed item. The goal is still, relaxed choices near the sofa and table.

Drop: Step by Step

1. Offer a toy. After a few seconds, present food to your dog’s nose. As they release, say Drop. Mark yes and pay.
2. Re engage by giving the toy back. Repeat so Drop predicts good things.
3. Pair Drop with a calm sit or place before you hand the item back.
4. Generalise to socks, paper, or a cushion corner under close control.

Place: Step by Step

1. Lure your dog onto a raised bed. Mark yes and reward in position.
2. Add duration. Feed slowly for calm, steady body language.
3. Add mild distractions. You sit on the sofa. Dog stays on place.
4. Increase challenge. Place while guests enter. Place while you fold blankets. Reward your dog for staying calm near furniture.

Exercise and Enrichment That Reduce Chewing

Right exercise helps. Over arousal does not. Swap frantic fetch for structured walks, pattern games, and scent work. Short, focused training sessions drain mental energy better than long wild play.

• Two to three structured walks with loose lead practice
• Five to ten minute training blocks for Leave It, Drop, and Place
• Daily scent games such as simple scatter feeds in the garden
• Calm chew time on place after walks to lower arousal

Solve Separation Related Chewing

If chewing spikes when you leave, rebuild alone time slowly. Pair absence with calm, structured routines so your dog can relax.

• Pre leave routine: Short walk, toilet, then settle on place with a safe chew
• Short absences: Step out for one minute, return neutral, release to toilet, then rest
• Gradual increases: Add a few minutes at a time only if your dog remains calm
• Camera check: Quiet resting is the goal, not frantic pacing or crying

If anxiety signs persist, a Smart Master Dog Trainer SMDT will tailor a plan that blends management, skill building, and progression at your dog’s pace.

Night Time and When You Are Busy

When you cannot supervise, prevent mistakes. Use the crate or a safe pen with approved chews. Keep the area near furniture off limits at first. Put success on repeat at times when chewing risk is highest, such as early evening or after exciting events.

Correcting Mistakes Without Conflict

Interrupt early. Do not chase. Do not shout. Stay calm and use Smart clarity.

1. See the approach to furniture. Say Leave It once.
2. If your dog hesitates or ignores you, give light lead guidance away. The moment they disengage, release pressure and mark yes.
3. Redirect to place. Reward calm lying down.
4. Offer a safe chew there if needed, then praise quiet chewing.

Consistent guidance builds responsibility. Your dog learns that leaving furniture alone is simple and rewarding.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Too much freedom too soon. Keep management until your dog proves reliability.
• Inconsistent language. Use the same cues and markers every time.
• Chasing a thief. This turns chewing into a fun game.
• High arousal play before rest. Excited dogs chew more.
• No chew menu. If you remove chewing options, your dog will find the sofa.

Progress Checks and When to Advance

Track your success each week. Progress means fewer attempts to chew furniture, faster response to Leave It and Drop, and longer calm on place. Only add challenge when your dog is winning most reps at the current level.

• Week one: Heavy management, core skills in quiet rooms
• Week two: Add mild distractions and supervised living room time
• Week three: Short alone time with chew, then neutral returns
• Week four: Reduce barriers, expand freedom in calm periods

Every dog learns at a different pace. Smart trainers match the plan to your dog so good choices become automatic.

Ready to turn your dog’s behaviour around? Book a Free Assessment and connect with a certified Smart Master Dog Trainer - available across the UK.

When to Work With a Smart Master Dog Trainer

If chewing has become daily, if there is damage near doors and windows, or if your dog guards items, bring in support. A Smart Master Dog Trainer SMDT will assess your dog in your home context, then coach you through the Smart Method step by step. You will learn clear language, fair guidance, and a progression plan that suits your space and lifestyle. Smart Dog Training offers in home sessions, group formats, and tailored behaviour programmes across the UK.

Real Life Application: A Sample Daily Plan

Use this structure for the first two weeks, then adjust as you see steady progress.

• Morning: Toilet, structured walk, short Leave It and Drop session, then crate with a stuffed chew while you work
• Midday: Toilet, place practice near the sofa for five minutes, then calm chew on place
• Afternoon: Scent game in the garden, settle on place while you relax on the sofa
• Evening: Supervised living room time with a house lead, short training, then crate rest
• Night: Final toilet break, then sleep setup that prevents late night chewing

Advanced Reliability Around Furniture

Once your dog is calm in a quiet room, add challenge the Smart way.

• Movement: You stand, sit, and fold blankets while your dog holds place
• Temptation: Place a soft toy on the sofa. Cue Leave It. Pay calm eyes and still body language
• Distance: Step out of the room for thirty seconds. Return and reward if your dog remains settled
• Guests: With your dog on place, invite a friend in. Reward calm watching

Do not rush. Reliability comes from many small, clean wins.

FAQs

What is the fastest way to stop my dog chewing furniture?

Start with management. Use a crate or pen when you cannot supervise, keep a house lead on for quick redirection, and provide a chew menu on place. Train Leave It, Drop, and Place using the Smart Method so your dog knows how to win. This is the most direct route for how to stop dog chewing furniture.

Is chewing always a behaviour problem?

No. Chewing is natural. It becomes a problem when it targets furniture or happens due to anxiety or lack of structure. Smart training channels chewing onto safe items while building calm around your sofa and tables.

Will more exercise fix the chewing?

Not by itself. Over arousal can make chewing worse. Use balanced exercise with structured walks, short training blocks, scent games, and calm chewing on place to lower stress and build self control.

What should I give my puppy to chew instead of furniture?

Offer durable rubber toys, nylon chews, and stuffable toys with soft food. Rotate daily. Supervise new items. Pair chews with the place bed so chewing predicts calm in the room with furniture.

How do I stop chewing when I leave the house?

Rebuild alone time in small steps. Pre leave routine, short absences, calm returns, and safe chews in a crate or pen. If worry signs persist, work with a Smart Master Dog Trainer SMDT for a tailored plan.

What if my dog steals cushions and runs?

Do not chase. Guide with the lead to you, cue Drop, trade, then redirect to place. Reinforce calm with a safe chew. Chasing is a game, so remove the fun and reward the right choice instead.

Can I use spray deterrents on furniture?

We focus on training and management that teach clear rules and calm choices. Deterrents alone do not teach your dog what to do. Use Smart structure, clarity, and rewards to create reliable behaviour.

How long will it take to fix chewing?

Many families see changes in the first week with strong management and daily training. Full reliability depends on age, history, and routine. Smart progression locks in habits that last, not quick fixes that fade.

Conclusion: Calm Choices That Last

Chewing does not have to be a battle. With the Smart Method you will create a home where your dog relaxes near the sofa, leaves table legs alone, and chooses approved chews without you asking. You began by learning how to stop dog chewing furniture. Now you have a clear plan that blends management, skill building, and fair guidance so the habit changes for good. If you want expert help, our SMDT certified trainers coach you step by step and deliver results that hold up in real life.

Your dog deserves training that truly works. With certified Smart Master Dog Trainers SMDTs nationwide, you'll get proven results backed by the UK's most trusted dog training network. Find a Trainer Near You