How to Curb Your Dog’s Obsession With Wood

Many dogs love to gnaw, particularly when it comes to furniture and other items around the house. Why does your dog chew wood and how can you curb this unhealthy habit?

Excessive chewing is normal for any puppy; unfortunately, many dogs carry destructive gnawing habits into adulthood. This may not seem like a big deal… that is until a wooden door or table-leg becomes your canine’s next favorite chew toy! What do you do when your furry friend’s obsession with wood takes a wrong turn? Thankfully, a range of solutions gives owners the ability to break bad behavior and stop dogs from chewing on wood.

Why Do Dogs Chew on Wood?

At a very early age, puppies learn to gnaw to deal with the pains associated with teething. Their chewing helps build jaw strength and increase saliva production, promoting good canine dental health. These young dogs explore their surroundings with their mouths; an essential stage of growth that stays with them for a lifetime. Puppies frequently pick up sticks and pieces of wood as an easy way to satisfy their desire to chew. This is a common reason why dogs chew on wood so often…they don’t understand the difference between sticks or scraps of wood and your dining room table leg.

Why Does Your Dog Find Wood So Satisfying?

Chewing releases endorphins, relieving stress and mentally stimulating your dog. Sometimes dogs gnaw on wood items out of stress or anxiety, particularly when they are left at home by themselves. Remember, your dog doesn’t know when you’ll be back and will often turn to destructive tendencies to fill the void. Wood, however, jeopardizes your dog's health as splinters slice the gums and pose a significant choke risk. It is crucial to teach your dog what is acceptable to chew on and what is not. Try to engage and nourish them with chew sticks or bones for dogs.

How Do You Stop a Dog From Chewing on Wood?

As we pointed out, bully sticks happen to be a great natural dog toothbrush. As your dog chews their bully stick, they are scraping away plaque and other build-up. As the stick softens, it even cleans deeper between teeth.

Bully sticks are an excellent source of proteins, which are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building block of your dog’s cells. This means they are the primary ingredient in your dog’s muscles, fur, and nails. They also play a vital role in transporting nutrients throughout your dog’s body, in addition to being necessary for hormone production and immune system function.

So, now that the cat’s out of the bag of what bully sticks are made of, you may be wondering about how bully sticks are made.

How Are Natural Farm Bully Sticks Made?

You’ll need to make a few changes to your routine and encourage positive habits. By playing fetch with wooden sticks, you are increasing the likelihood of repetitive wood chewing throughout your home. Here are some ideas to stop your dog from chewing on wood:

• Provide plenty of chew toys: Make sure your dog has plenty of toys that are safe and appropriate to chew on, such as rubber toys or bones.
• Exercise your dog regularly: Regular exercise can help reduce your dog's anxiety and boredom, which are common reasons for wood chewing.
• Supervise your dog: Keep a close eye on your dog when they are outside, and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy if you see them going after wood.
• Use taste deterrents: Apply a taste deterrent spray to the wood, or use bitter apple spray, which can discourage your dog from chewing on it.
• Offer treats for heavy chewers: Dog chews like our extra thick bully sticks are made from 100% all-natural beef and are a better (and tastier!) alternative to the wood furniture your pooch is currently fixated on.
• Provide mental stimulation: Offer your dog puzzle toys, interactive games, or training sessions to keep them mentally stimulated and less likely to chew on wood out of boredom.
• Address any underlying health or behavioral issues: If your dog's wood-chewing habit persists despite your efforts to stop it, consider seeking advice from a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to rule out any underlying health or behavioral issues that may need to be addressed.

Whether it be providing some new toys, more exercise or heavy-duty dog chews, offering your pup some alternatives can help reduce the odds of returning to a destroyed home. A few additions to their collection will make a world of difference when it comes to leaving your friend home alone.

Ready to Promote Healthier Chewing Habits?

The truth is, dogs are always going to chew on things; it's in their nature. As a dog owner, it makes sense to provide your dogs with healthy dog treats such as bully sticks, or collagen sticks, or simply a good old-fashioned bone. With proper training, particularly during the teething process, it is possible to guide your dog away from their chewing habits and towards an activity that works for everyone.

There are many healthy options such as chew sticks for dogs that will keep them happy and healthy for years to come. Try a few things and go with what they prefer. Watch as they choose treats and chews farmed responsibly, crafted with care. They’re sure to thank you later!