Can dogs chew their beds? Yes, dogs can and often do chew their beds, especially puppies, but it’s a behavior we want to manage to prevent damage to the bed and potential harm to the dog. Stopping a dog from chewing their bed safely and easily involves understanding why they do it and providing appropriate alternatives. This guide will walk you through effective strategies to curb this common destructive dog behavior.
Dogs chew for many reasons: teething, boredom, anxiety, and even just to explore their environment. When your dog targets their bed, it can be frustrating. You might be asking, “Why is my dog chewing their bed?” or “How can I stop puppy biting blankets and bedding?” The good news is that with patience and the right approach, you can discourage dog chewing and redirect it to more suitable outlets.
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Deciphering Your Dog’s Chewing Habits
Before you can stop a dog from chewing their bed, it’s essential to figure out why they’re doing it. Different reasons require different solutions.
Teething Troubles
Puppies explore the world with their mouths. As their adult teeth come in, their gums can become sore and itchy, making chewing a natural relief. This is a common cause of puppy biting blankets and other soft items.
- Age: Typically occurs between 3 to 7 months old.
- Behavior: Constant mouthing, gnawing, and sometimes frantic chewing.
- Solution Focus: Providing a variety of safe, appropriate chew toys.
Boredom and Energy Overload
A dog with too much pent-up energy or not enough mental stimulation will often find ways to entertain themselves – and their bed might become the target. This can manifest as dog chewing furniture as well.
- Signs: Destructive chewing when left alone, or when they haven’t had enough exercise.
- Solution Focus: Increasing physical and mental exercise, providing puzzle toys.
Anxiety and Stress
Chewing can be a self-soothing mechanism for dogs experiencing anxiety, whether it’s separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or general unease. Chewing a familiar, comforting item like their bed can help them cope.
- Triggers: Being left alone, new environments, loud noises (thunderstorms, fireworks).
- Behavior: Chewing often happens when the owner is absent or during stressful events. This can also extend to anxiety chewing dogs might do on doors or walls.
- Solution Focus: Addressing the underlying anxiety, creating a safe space, and potentially consulting a professional.
Exploration and Play
Some dogs simply enjoy the texture and feel of different materials. They might not be trying to be destructive, but rather are exploring and playing.
- Behavior: Chewing can seem random, often when the dog is alert and active.
- Solution Focus: Redirecting this exploratory chewing to appropriate toys.
Medical Issues (Less Common)
While rare, certain medical conditions can lead to increased chewing, such as gastrointestinal issues or nutritional deficiencies.
- Signs: Sudden onset of chewing, accompanied by other health symptoms.
- Solution Focus: Veterinary consultation to rule out any underlying health problems.
Strategies to Safely Stop Dog Chewing Beds
Once you have a better idea of why your dog is chewing their bed, you can implement targeted strategies. The goal is always to discourage dog chewing on the bed while encouraging it on appropriate items.
1. Provide Abundant, Appealing Chew Toys
This is the cornerstone of any anti-chewing strategy. Your dog needs appropriate items to satisfy their chewing instinct.
- Variety is Key: Offer toys with different textures, shapes, and sizes.
- Rubber Toys: Like Kongs, these are durable and can be stuffed with treats for added engagement.
- Rope Toys: Great for tug-of-war and satisfying a pulling instinct.
- Nylon Bones: Long-lasting and good for aggressive chewers.
- Dental Chews: Help clean teeth while satisfying chewing needs.
- Interactive Toys: Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys can keep your dog mentally stimulated and reduce boredom-related chewing.
- Rotate Toys: Keep things fresh by rotating toys every few days so they remain novel and exciting.
- Choose Safely: Ensure all toys are appropriately sized for your dog and made from non-toxic materials. Avoid anything with small parts that can be easily chewed off and swallowed. This is crucial for safe chew toys for dogs.
2. Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A tired dog is a good dog, and often, a less destructive dog.
- Physical Exercise: Ensure your dog gets enough daily exercise. This could include walks, runs, fetch, or playing in a secure yard. The amount of exercise needed varies by breed, age, and energy level.
- Mental Stimulation: Engage your dog’s brain.
- Training Sessions: Short, positive reinforcement training sessions are excellent for mental work.
- Puzzle Toys: As mentioned, these challenge their problem-solving skills.
- Nose Work Games: Hide treats or their favorite toy and let them use their nose to find it.
- New Experiences: Visit new parks, introduce them to new people (in a controlled way), or take them on car rides.
3. Management and Supervision
When you can’t directly supervise your dog, you need to manage their environment to prevent them from accessing their bed and engaging in destructive chewing.
- Supervised Access: Allow your dog access to their bed only when you can supervise them closely.
- Confinement When Unsupervised:
- Crate Training: A crate can be an invaluable tool. It provides a safe den for your dog and prevents them from chewing the bed (or anything else) when you’re not around. Crate training for chewing involves making the crate a positive, comfortable space with treats, toys, and a cozy bed inside the crate itself.
- Dog-Proofed Room: If crate training isn’t an option or as a supplement, confine your dog to a safe, dog-proofed room with only appropriate chew toys.
- Remove the Temptation: If the bed is the primary target and other solutions aren’t working, consider removing it temporarily when unsupervised.
4. Make the Bed Unappealing
You can use deterrents to make the bed less attractive to chew.
- Bitter Sprays: Apply a pet-safe bitter-tasting spray to the bed. Test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t stain. Reapply as needed, as the taste can wear off. This is a common method for deterring dogs from chewing.
- Taste Deterrents to Avoid: Never use anything that could be harmful or toxic to your dog.
5. Redirect the Chewing
When you catch your dog chewing the bed, don’t punish them. Instead, interrupt the behavior calmly and redirect them.
- Interrupt: Make a gentle noise to get their attention, like a soft “ah-ah.”
- Redirect: Immediately offer them one of their appropriate chew toys.
- Praise: When they take the toy and start chewing it, offer verbal praise and maybe a small treat. This positive reinforcement teaches them what is acceptable to chew.
6. Address Underlying Anxiety
If you suspect anxiety is the root cause, especially if you’re dealing with anxiety chewing dogs, you need to tackle the anxiety itself.
- Create a Safe Haven: Ensure their crate or designated resting area is a secure, comfortable space.
- Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning: For separation anxiety, gradually acclimate your dog to your departures. Start with short absences and pair them with positive experiences (like a special treat that only appears when you leave).
- Calming Aids: Consider pheromone diffusers, calming supplements (after consulting your vet), or a thunder shirt.
- Professional Help: If anxiety is severe, consult a certified professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. They can help create a tailored plan.
7. Choose Chew-Proof Dog Beds
For some dogs, especially persistent chewers or those with extreme chewing drives, the best long-term solution might be investing in chew proof dog beds.
- Materials: Look for beds made from tough, durable materials like ballistic nylon, ripstop fabric, or reinforced canvas.
- Construction: Examine the seams and zippers. Beds with hidden zippers or no zippers are often more chew-resistant.
- Durability Ratings: Some brands specifically design their beds for chewers. Check product reviews and durability ratings.
What to Avoid When Stopping Bed Chewing
Punishment is rarely effective and can often create more problems.
- Never Punish After the Fact: Dogs don’t connect punishment to an action they did hours or even minutes ago. Punishing them when you find the chewed bed will only make them fearful or anxious.
- Avoid Harsh Scolding: Yelling or hitting your dog will damage your relationship and won’t teach them what to do instead.
- Don’t Give Old Shoes or Clothes: While tempting, this teaches your dog that some fabric items are okay to chew, blurring the lines and making it harder for them to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable items.
Tables for Comparison
Here’s a table summarizing common reasons for chewing and their primary solutions:
| Reason for Chewing | Typical Age/Context | Behavioral Indicators | Primary Solution Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teething | Puppy (3-7 months) | Gum sensitivity, constant mouthing, gnawing | Provide appropriate puppy chew toys |
| Boredom/Excess Energy | Any age, especially young dogs | Destructive chewing when alone, lack of engagement | Increase exercise, mental stimulation, puzzle toys |
| Anxiety/Stress | Any age | Chewing when left alone, during loud noises, fearful behaviors | Address anxiety, create safe space, professional help if needed |
| Exploration/Play | Any age | Curious mouthing, chewing of various textures | Redirect to appropriate toys, supervised play |
| Habit/Learned Behavior | Any age | Chewing continues despite other interventions | Consistent redirection, management, chew proof dog beds |
Case Studies: Different Approaches
Let’s look at how different situations might be handled:
Scenario 1: Bella, the Teething Labrador
- Problem: Bella, a 4-month-old Labrador, constantly chews her plush bed, tearing out stuffing.
- Analysis: Teething is the most likely cause.
- Solution:
- Provide a variety of rubber chew toys (Kong, Nylabone).
- Offer a designated “chew” toy that is different from her play toys.
- Freeze a Kong filled with yogurt and kibble to soothe her gums.
- Supervise her during downtime, redirecting if she chews the bed.
- Temporarily remove the plush bed when unsupervised and replace it with a flatter, more durable mat that is harder to chew through.
Scenario 2: Max, the Bored Border Collie
- Problem: Max, a 2-year-old Border Collie, shreds his orthopedic bed when left alone for more than 2 hours.
- Analysis: Boredom and pent-up energy are the likely culprits.
- Solution:
- Increase daily walks to 2 x 45-minute sessions.
- Incorporate a 15-minute training session daily.
- Leave a stuffed Kong or a treat-dispensing toy in his crate when he’s alone.
- Ensure his crate is comfortable but doesn’t have a bed he can easily destroy. Provide a durable mat for his crate.
- Consider a dog walker or doggy daycare if longer absences are unavoidable.
Scenario 3: Daisy, the Anxious Shih Tzu
- Problem: Daisy, a 6-year-old Shih Tzu, chews her bed, especially around the edges, when her owner leaves the house, even for short periods. She also exhibits other signs of separation anxiety.
- Analysis: Separation anxiety is strongly indicated.
- Solution:
- Consult a veterinary behaviorist for a comprehensive plan.
- Implement desensitization exercises for departures.
- Create a calm, safe environment for her when alone, using a pheromone diffuser.
- Provide a high-value chew toy (like a stuffed Kong) only when the owner leaves.
- Avoid leaving her alone for extended periods initially while working on the anxiety.
- Ensure her bed is made of a durable, less appealing material, or consider a smaller, more portable bed that is easier to supervise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long does it take to stop a dog from chewing their bed?
A1: The timeline varies greatly depending on the dog, the reason for chewing, and the consistency of your training. Some dogs respond within weeks, while others may take several months, especially if anxiety is a significant factor. Consistency and patience are key.
Q2: Is it okay for my dog to have a bed if they chew it?
A2: It’s generally not ideal for dogs to chew and potentially ingest fabric from their beds, as this can lead to intestinal blockages, which can be life-threatening. While some minor chewing might be tolerable if the dog doesn’t ingest the material, it’s best to redirect this behavior to appropriate items.
Q3: Can I use a spray to stop my dog from chewing the bed?
A3: Yes, pet-safe bitter sprays can be effective for deterring dogs. Always test the spray on an inconspicuous area of the bed first to ensure it doesn’t stain. Reapply regularly as the taste can diminish.
Q4: My puppy bites blankets and bedding. Is this normal?
A4: Yes, puppies often bite blankets and bedding as part of their teething process, exploration, or to self-soothe. Providing them with appropriate chew toys and redirecting their chewing is the best approach.
Q5: What are the best chew-proof dog beds?
A5: Chew-proof beds are typically made from very durable materials like ballistic nylon or ripstop fabric, often with reinforced seams and hidden zippers. Brands specializing in heavy-duty or “indestructible” dog beds are a good place to start your search.
Q6: My dog seems to chew out of anxiety. What should I do?
A6: If you suspect anxiety, focus on addressing the root cause. This might involve increasing exercise, providing mental stimulation, creating a safe den for your dog, using calming aids, or seeking professional help from a vet or certified trainer. Sometimes, simply removing the tempting bed temporarily can help, but it doesn’t solve the underlying anxiety.
Q7: How can I redirect my dog’s chewing behavior effectively?
A7: When you catch your dog chewing something they shouldn’t, interrupt the behavior with a gentle sound, and immediately offer them an appropriate chew toy. When they take and chew the toy, praise them warmly. This teaches them what is acceptable.
By combining consistent management, appropriate outlets for chewing, and addressing any underlying issues, you can successfully discourage dog chewing on their bed and ensure a peaceful coexistence for both you and your furry friend. Remember, a happy dog is a well-exercised and mentally stimulated dog.