Anyone with a puppy will immediately recognize it: chair legs, shoes, rugs, hands… everything seems interesting to chew on. While this can sometimes be frustrating, the behavior is actually very normal and even important for your puppy's development. In this blog post, you'll read why puppies chew on everything and what you can do about it.
1. Teething hurts and itches
The main reason is simple: puppies are getting new teeth.
Between approximately 3 and 7 months, puppies lose their baby teeth and adult teeth come in. This process can:
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cause itching in the gums
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give a feeling of pressure or pain
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create a strong urge to bite something
Chewing helps to relieve that irritation.
2. Chewing is a natural need
For dogs, chewing is not "undesirable behavior," but an instinct.
In nature, dogs (and their ancestors) use chewing to:
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process food
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reduce stress
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train jaw muscles
For puppies, it is therefore a way to develop their bodies and brains.
3. Discovering the world with their mouth
Puppies explore their environment largely with their mouths.
Everything is new:
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textures
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smells
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tastes
By chewing on something, they learn what it is and what it feels like. Just as young children want to touch everything, puppies want to "taste" everything.
4. Boredom and insufficient challenge
A bored puppy will invent something to do. And often, that is… chewing.
This especially happens if:
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the puppy gets too little playtime
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there is little mental stimulation
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he is alone for a long time
Unwanted chewing is then actually a signal: "I need something to do."
5. Stress or tension
Chewing can also be a way for them to calm themselves. Just like people who bite their nails, some puppies use chewing to process tension.
Situations such as:
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being home alone
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new environments
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loud noises
can reinforce this behavior.
Conclusion
Puppies chew on everything due to a combination of teething, curiosity, instinct, and sometimes boredom or stress. It is therefore not "difficult behavior," but a normal developmental phase.
With the right guidance and enough suitable chewing options, your puppy will naturally learn what is and isn't meant for chewing.