How to stop a dog from chewing on baseboards

Why Your Dog is Chewing Everything and How to Stop It

Chewed-up shoes, shredded baseboards, and furniture that looks like it survived a bear attack—welcome to the world of dog ownership! While chewing is natural, that doesn’t mean your living room has to look like a construction site. If you’ve been wondering why your dog seems determined to redecorate with their teeth, let’s break it down and, more importantly, fix it.

Why Do Dogs Love to Chew?

1. Chewing is Fun (and Addictive!)

Your puppy didn’t just chew for teething relief—it was a full-blown hobby. Every successful chew session gave them satisfaction and, in their little doggy brains, reinforced the idea that chewing is a good time. If they weren’t redirected to appropriate chew toys early on, they’ll continue treating household objects as their personal buffet well into adulthood.

2. It’s in Their DNA

Dogs are born chewers. Their ancestors, the wolves, used their teeth to tear apart prey. While your dog doesn’t need to disassemble a deer, their instincts are still screaming, “Must chew!” Chewing also cleans their teeth and exercises their jaw—think of it as a built-in dental plan.

3. Boredom and Stress Make It Worse

Dogs are like toddlers: leave them alone without something to do, and they’ll find a way to create chaos. If your dog is chewing out of boredom, they need more mental and physical stimulation. Stress, separation anxiety, and even frustration can also lead to excessive chewing.

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4. Your Stuff Smells Like You

Why do they chew your smelly sneakers and not the dog toy sitting right next to them? Because to your dog, that shoe is a scented love letter from you. It smells like their favorite person (you!), making it an irresistible chew target.

5. Texture Matters

Ever notice your dog prefers wooden chair legs, baseboards, or the TV remote? It’s all about the texture. Wood has a satisfying firmness with just enough give, and plastic? Well, pressing buttons with their teeth is fun, apparently.

6. Puppies Chew to Survive Teething

Just like human babies, puppies go through teething pain. Between 3 and 6 months of age, their baby teeth fall out, and adult teeth push in. The discomfort makes them chew everything in sight. If they don’t learn good chewing habits during this phase, they’ll carry destructive habits into adulthood.

How to Stop Destructive Chewing

Now that we understand the why, let’s fix it.

1. Provide Better Alternatives

Tossing random chew toys on the floor isn’t enough. If your dog has learned that shoes are delicious, you need to make chew toys more appealing than your footwear.

• Food-Stuffed Toys: Kong Classic, Zogoflex Tux Treat Dispensing Toy—these are your best friends. Fill them with peanut butter, cream cheese, or kibble mixed with soft treats. Freeze them for an extra challenge.
• Edible Chews: Some dogs prefer edible options like bully sticks or Himalayan yak chews. Be sure to pick something appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing strength.
• Rotate the Toys: Don’t leave all the toys out at once. Rotate them every few days to keep your dog interested.

2. Remove Temptations

Put shoes in the closet. Seriously, just do it.

Store remote controls out of reach.

Use bitter sprays on furniture and baseboards. This makes chewing less fun for your pup. Just be consistent—spray daily for at least a month to break the habit.

Free e-book you will learn how to play “The Airplane Game” designed to improve your dog’s ability to pay attention to you despite distractions, click HERE

3. Supervise and Redirect

If you catch your dog mid-chew:

• Interrupt with a sharp noise (a clap, a whistle, or a firm “No!”—but never yell).
• Immediately redirect to a chew toy.
• Praise them when they chew the right thing. Positive reinforcement is key!

4. Exercise and Mental Stimulation

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Increase their exercise to drain excess energy.

• More Walks: Aim for at least two daily walks. Exploring new scents reduces boredom.
• More Playtime: Fetch, tug-of-war, hide-and-seek—all great boredom busters.
• Training Sessions: Mental work tires them out, too. Teach new tricks or commands.

5. Crate Training and Safe Spaces

When you can’t supervise, a crate or dog-proofed area prevents mischief. Always provide appropriate chew toys inside their space.

6. Teach the ‘Leave It’ Command

One of the best training tools to prevent chewing disasters:

• Hold a treat in one hand, and say, “Leave it.”
• If they ignore the treat, reward them with a different treat.
• Repeat until they consistently ignore the first item when you say “Leave it.”
• Use this command whenever your dog eyes something they shouldn’t chew.

How to Stop Skirting Board and Baseboard Chewing

Baseboards seem to be a favorite chew target. Here’s how to stop it:

• Apply Bitter Spray: Makes the wood taste awful.
• Cover the Baseboard: Use furniture, baby gates, or sticky double-sided tape.
• Provide Alternatives: Offer chew toys in the same area.
• Increase Exercise & Playtime: A tired dog won’t waste energy on baseboards.
• Deterrents Like Noise or Commands: Interrupt and redirect.

Common Questions About Dog Chewing

When Do Puppies Stop Biting?

Most puppies stop excessive biting between 6-8 months when their adult teeth are fully in.

Why Does My Dog Keep Chewing Baseboards?

Boredom, anxiety, teething, lack of chew toys, or simply because they can. If they’re chewing near doors or windows, it could be separation anxiety.

Free e-book you will learn how to play “The Airplane Game” designed to improve your dog’s ability to pay attention to you despite distractions, click HERE

Is It Safe for Dogs to Chew on Wood?

Not really. Some wood splinters, causing mouth injuries or blockages. MDF skirting boards aren’t great either, as they contain chemicals.

How Can I Prevent My Dog from Chewing Wood?

Provide chew toys, use deterrent sprays, block access, and increase exercise. Train with positive reinforcement.

Conclusion: Train Now, Save Your Furniture

Chewing is a natural behavior, but destructive chewing is a problem you can fix. The key is to redirect your dog’s instincts onto appropriate chew toys while eliminating bad habits. Provide enticing alternatives, supervise and correct, increase exercise, and use positive reinforcement. If you stay consistent, your dog will learn what’s chew-worthy—and your shoes will thank you!

Thanks for your reading.