Puppies chew--they chew on anything and everything they can get their little teeth on. They chew because they're teething, they chew because they're exploring their world, and they chew because they're bored, or they're curious or they want to see what something tastes like. Can you stop them? Well, not really--they're dogs, that's what they do. But you can stop them from chewing on things you don't want chewed up. Let's take a look at how to encourage good chewing behaviors.

Teaching Your Dog Proper Chewing Behavior
First, you have to recognize that you won't stop your dog from chewing completely. You need to understand that chewing for a dog is a completely natural, instinctive behavior. If you get mad at him for chewing up your favorite pair of slippers, he'll have no idea why you're mad--to him it was a perfectly normal thing to do! So before you blow your top, realize that it's up to you to teach him what's appropriate to chew on. For example, don't give him an old shoe or slipper to chew on--he can't tell the difference between your $150 new pair of Nikes or that old flip-flop sandal you were going to throw out. To him, a shoe is a shoe is a shoe. He can't read price tags.

Also understand that puppies go through a teething process, just like children. They're apt to be cranky and fussy, just like children, until this process is all done, usually by about five months of age, unlike children. During this time, be a little more patient with your puppy, and give him things to chew on that will help relieve some of the pain and discomfort of teething. Nylabone-style chew bones work well, especially if you refrigerate or even freeze them before giving them to your puppy.

If you are crate training your puppy, make sure that he is confined to the crate while indoors, and provide him with appropriate chew items while he's in there. Bones or toys will help to keep him occupied and he'll soon learn what you want him to chew on. You can reinforce this behavior by praising him lavishly when you see him chewing on something he's supposed to chew on. If you're using a room or divided area when training him, puppy-proof the area by removing all items that can be chewed on, including shoes, socks, and small furniture items such as tables with legs. Use plastic protectors over electrical outlets and either put electrical cords out of reach, or spray them with jalapeno juice or the commercially-available Bitter Apple that is harmless to him but tastes awful.

Never leave him unsupervised in the house when he's out of his crate. Like a toddler, it will be harder for him to get in trouble if you're watching him. Puppies have very short attention spans, so if you see him chewing on something that he shouldn't, you should correct him immediately. If you wait two minutes and then try to discipline him he'll have no idea what it was he did wrong. You must catch him in the act. Take away what you don't want him to chew on, and replace it with something appropriate.

How to Handle a Chewing Dog
Tell him "No" in a firm tone of voice when you see him chewing on the arm of the chair, then go to his crate and get him a chew toy that he can chew on. If he continues to try and chew on the couch, put him back in his crate or divided area and try again later. Praise him lavishly when he begins to chew on the toy or bone you've given him.

A word about what kind of toys and chew bones you should use--and what kind you should stay away from. Avoid any toys that have small, breakable parts that can come loose and become a choking hazard. Also stay away from fish bones and any sharp brittle bones that can splinter and lodge in the intestinal tract, such as cooked pork or chicken bones. Rawhide chew bones or sticks are also popular, but a word of caution here: never let your dog chew one unsupervised, as there is the possibility of him chewing a piece off and having it stick in his throat. Also, if you must use these, use the kind that are untreated--no fancy flavorings or colors--they contain dyes and additives that can be extremely toxic to your dog's system. A raw, meaty beef leg bone or something similar is a much better choice. Rope chew toys are usually fun and harmless also.

The most important thing to remember is this: if your puppy chews up something he shouldn't, it's not his fault--it's yours! Be patient, be consistent and before you know it, your puppy will have grown out of this bad habit.