Dog Chewing Furniture? Why It Happens and How to Redirect It

SodaPup Honey Bone nylon dog chew in brown, shaped like a honey dipper with textured ridges
  • ⏱️ 6 min read
  • 🐶 For dogs and puppies
  • 🛋️ Save the sofa
  • 🏠 Before guests arrive

You come home to a chewed sofa corner, a gnawed table leg and a dog who is thrilled to see you. If family is coming for the holidays, the timing could hardly be worse.

Dogs chew furniture for a reason, usually teething, boredom, stress, hunger or simply not having something better to chew. The fix is managing the room and redirecting to an allowed chew, never punishment after the fact. Petstone explains why it happens, gives you a step-by-step redirect plan and shows when to call your vet or a trainer.

Quick answer

  • Chewing is normal dog behavior; the goal is to point it at the right things.
  • Put valuables away. When you cannot supervise, confine your dog with only toys that are safe to leave with them.
  • Interrupt calmly, swap the item for an allowed chew, then praise.
  • Rotate chew toys every couple of days and give plenty of exercise and mental work.
  • Do not scold after the fact; talk to your vet or a behaviorist if chewing happens only when your dog is alone or seems compulsive.

Why do dogs chew furniture?

The ASPCA's guide to destructive chewing lists several common reasons. Knowing which one fits your dog tells you where to start.

Teething

For young dogs, chewing is a way to ease the pain of incoming teeth.

Boredom

Chewing combats boredom and can ease mild anxiety or frustration.

Being left alone

Dogs that chew to cope with separation anxiety usually chew only when left alone.

Hunger

Dogs on restricted diets may chew while looking for extra food.

No better option

If the sofa is the most interesting thing within reach, the sofa gets chewed.

Is it normal chewing or something more?

🚩 Signs to take seriously
  • Chewing happens only when your dog is alone, which the ASPCA links to separation anxiety
  • Long bouts of fabric sucking or chewing that are hard to interrupt
  • Your dog may react aggressively when you take an item away
  • Drooling, pawing at the mouth or dropping food, which VCA lists among signs of a broken tooth
  • Your dog swallows pieces of fabric, foam or wood

How to manage the room while you train

  • Put valuables away until you trust your dog's choices, as the ASPCA advises.
  • Confine your dog in a safe area when you cannot watch, with only toys that are safe to leave with your dog. Hard chews such as the Honey Bone and fabric tug toys are for supervised sessions only.
  • Try a taste deterrent on furniture legs. The ASPCA suggests reapplying daily for two to four weeks while you teach what your dog can chew.
  • Exercise first. Plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation, especially before you leave, takes the edge off.
  • Brief your guests. For Thanksgiving visitors, the ASPCA suggests reminding guests to keep their personal items up and out of paws' reach. Petstone would add shoes and bags by the door, which are easy targets for a chewer.

How to redirect chewing, step by step

  1. Catch it in the act. Calmly say "uh-oh", the cue the ASPCA uses, the moment your dog starts on the furniture.
  2. Remove the item or lead your dog away from it.
  3. Offer an allowed chew straight away, ideally one your dog already likes.
  4. Praise as soon as your dog chews the right thing.
  5. Rotate the toys. The ASPCA suggests swapping chew toys every couple of days so they stay interesting.
  6. Skip punishment after the fact. The ASPCA explains that a dog cannot connect a scolding with something done hours, or even minutes, earlier.
💡 Petstone tip

Keep an allowed chew within reach in each room where you spend time with your dog, so the swap takes seconds. Put hard chews and tug toys away whenever you leave the room.

What helps: choosing a safe chew for your dog's size

The swap only works if the allowed chew is more appealing than the furniture and safe for your dog. The ASPCA says to choose a size that matches your dog's size and chewing habits, and to watch your dog while it chews.

For strong chewers with healthy teeth, one option is the SodaPup Honey Bone nylon chew, used while you are in the room. Hard chews are not right for every dog, though, so read Are Nylon Bones Safe for Dogs? Teeth, Pieces and When to Replace before you choose.

SodaPup Honey Bone nylon dog chew in brown, shaped like a honey dipper with textured ridges
One helpful option SodaPup Honey Bone Nylon Dog Chew

According to SodaPup, it comes in four sizes by dog weight, has ridges for a smear of xylitol-free peanut butter or soft cheese, and should always be used under supervision.

See the SodaPup Honey Bone

Teething puppies may need something softer. The ASPCA mentions frozen chew toys and frozen wet washcloths as options some owners use.

When to talk to your vet or a trainer

🩺 Get help if
  • Your dog shows signs of mouth pain. VCA says a fractured tooth becomes sensitive and painful if ignored.
  • Your dog swallowed a piece of furniture or a chunk of a chew. The ASPCA says to consult a vet immediately.
  • Your dog is on a restricted diet and seems hungry: ask your vet about the plan.
  • Chewing seems compulsive, or your dog may react aggressively when you take items. The ASPCA suggests a professional such as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.

Shop this guide at Petstone

Allowed chews and toys to swap in when the furniture looks tempting, for supervised play.

SodaPup Honey Bone nylon dog chew in brown, shaped like a honey dipper with textured ridgesSodaPupHoney Bone Nylon Dog ChewA hard chew for strong chewers with healthy teeth.View product American Dog Lucky Dog Hammer Tug, a gray and black hammer-shaped tug toy in 1680 ballistic fabricAmerican DogLucky Dog Ballistic Hammer TugBurns off chewing energy in a game of tug with you.View product SodaPup Honey Pot eCups, open-top rubber treat dispensers for wet food, yogurt and spreadsSodaPupHoney Pot eCup Treat DispenserA frozen lick cup for calm time, for average chewers.View product
🧸 Give your dog something better to chewShop dog toys

🎁 Buy any 2 items and save 5%, applied automatically at checkout. Unused items can be returned within 30 days of delivery.

Related Petstone guides

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FAQ

Do bitter sprays stop dogs chewing furniture?

They can help as part of a plan. The ASPCA suggests reapplying a chewing deterrent daily for two to four weeks while you also teach your dog what it is allowed to chew.

Should I punish my dog for chewing the couch?

No. The ASPCA says punishment after the fact does not work, because your dog cannot link it to chewing that happened earlier. Interrupt, swap and praise instead.

Why does my dog chew only when I leave?

The ASPCA notes that dogs chewing because of separation anxiety usually chew only when alone. Talk to your vet or a qualified behaviorist about a plan.

Will my puppy stop chewing furniture?

Puppies chew partly to ease teething pain. Teaching them to keep chewing to their own toys, with management and lots of allowed chews, is what changes the habit.

Sources

Prepared by the Petstone team from product information, brand specifications and common owner questions, drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a person before publishing.