How do I get my dog to stop chewing on the wall?

Quick Answers

Dogs chew on walls for a variety of reasons, such as boredom, anxiety, teething, or hunger. Some quick solutions to stop wall chewing include:

– Providing more exercise, playtime, and mental stimulation
– Restricting access to chewed areas
– Using bitter tasting deterrents on walls
– Providing appropriate chew toys and treats
– Addressing any underlying medical or behavioral issues

Understanding Wall Chewing

Chewing is a normal behavior for dogs that provides mental and physical stimulation. However, chewing on walls can become an undesirable and destructive habit. Before attempting to stop wall chewing, it’s important to understand the possible motivations behind it.

Boredom

Dogs need activity and enjoyment. A lack of exercise, playtime, or environmental enrichment can lead to boredom and cause chewing behaviors. Try providing more interactive toys and frequent play sessions to see if this curbs wall chewing.

Teething

Chewing helps relieve sore gums and brings teething puppies comfort. Provide safe rubber teething toys and make sure your puppy has appropriate items to gnaw on while teething.

Separation Anxiety

Some dogs chew destructively when left alone as a coping mechanism for separation anxiety. In these cases, chewing may happen along with barking, whining, pacing, and bathroom accidents. Consult a vet or animal behaviorist for anxiety treatment options.

Stress

Changes in routine, travel, new people or pets, loud noises, or other stressors can trigger anxious chewing. Try calming aids like pheromone diffusers or anti-anxiety supplements if stress seems to be a factor.

Hunger

Inadequate calories or nutrients may send dogs looking for unconventional things to eat. Make sure your dog is getting quality food in the right portions.

Health Issues

Dental problems, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological disorders can cause abnormal chewing. Have your vet examine your dog to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Instinct

Some dogs have strong instincts to dig and nest. Providing an approved place to indulge these behaviors, like a digging box with dirt or sand, may help satisfy these urges.

Deterring Wall Chewing

Once you have a sense of what’s motivating your dog’s wall chewing, try these tactics to deter the unwanted behavior:

More Exercise and Playtime

Make sure your dog gets adequate activity every day. Take them on longer walks, have frequent play and fetch sessions, and provide interactive puzzle toys. A tired dog is less likely to chew from boredom or stress.

Remove Access to Problem Areas

Block your dog’s access to any known chewing zones using pet gates or by closing doors. This can help break the chewing habit. Provide an alternative chew area that’s appealing and safe.

Use Bitter Sprays and Scent Deterrents

Dogs dislike the taste of certain bitter sprays. Apply these non-toxic products directly to areas being chewed. Some anti-chew sprays also contain scents that deter dogs.

Give Appropriate Chew Toys

Allowing your dog to chew is natural, so provide things made for chewing. Kongs, Nylabones, bully sticks, and rubber chew toys can satisfy chewing urges without destruction. Rotate different chew toys to keep things interesting.

Correct Unwanted Chewing

Interrupt and correct your dog every time you catch them chewing the wall. Say a firm “No,” remove them from the area, and redirect chewing to a toy. Be consistent with this approach.

Use a House Line or Tether

Attaching a house line to your dog’s collar allows you to quickly control and interrupt access to walls. This can be especially helpful during the training process.

Apply Anti-Lick Sprays

These harmless topical solutions give surfaces a unpleasant bitter taste to discourage licking and gnawing. Apply to baseboards, around door frames, and directly onto plaster or drywall. Reapply frequently.

Provide Mental Stimulation

Keep your dog’s mind active and engaged with puzzle toys, training exercises, food puzzles, and new experiences like hiking and socialization. A mentally enriched dog is less prone to bored chewing.

Crate Train Your Dog

Providing an enclosed crate trained dogs with a safe space of their own can help limit access to walls during times when you’re away or not directly supervising. Introduce the crate gradually and make it comfortable.

Consider Anti-Anxiety Medications or Supplements

For dogs suffering from separation anxiety, nervousness, or phobias, anti-anxiety medications and calming supplements can help reduce associated destructive chewing behaviors when also combined with training. Discuss options with your vet.

Preventing Recurring Wall Chewing Issues

Once your dog’s wall chewing habit is broken, take these continued steps to prevent recurrence:

– Provide plenty of daily exercise
– Reinforce access restrictions and off-limit areas
– Maintain a consistent daily routine for your dog
– Keep up with training and obedience practice
– Continue discouraging unwanted chewing behaviors
– Address any signs of anxiety or stress
– Make sure your dog has appealing chew toys available
– Use baby gates, crates, or tethers if needed while away
– Consider professional behavioral intervention if needed

Staying vigilant and proactively meeting your dog’s needs is key to stopping wall chewing for good. The earlier this habit is addressed, the better the outcome will be.

Medical Reasons for Chronic Wall Chewing

If your dog’s wall chewing persists despite your best efforts, an underlying medical issue could be to blame. Some possible medical causes include:

Dental Disease

Dogs with fractured teeth, abscesses, or periodontal disease may chew walls because they have mouth pain. Have your vet thoroughly examine teeth and oral health. Dental treatment may be required.

Digestive Disorders

Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, enzyme deficiencies, food allergies, or gastrointestinal obstruction can cause nausea, cramping, or insatiable hunger that manifests as pica chewing on non-food items. Diagnostic tests like bloodwork, imaging, and endoscopy can uncover GI problems.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Diets deficient in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, or protein can drive abnormal chewing habits. Your vet may recommend supplementing with vitamins or switching dog food formulas to provide balanced nutrition.

Neurological Disease

Disorders of the nervous system, brain, or spine could explain destructive chewing behaviors. Have your dog evaluated for conditions like epilepsy, encephalitis, and degenerative myelopathy if other causes are ruled out.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Repetitive obsessive behaviors like wall chewing may indicate canine OCD. Medications like Prozac along with behavior modification training can help manage OCD. Diagnosis is needed for appropriate treatment.

Brain Tumors

Tumors in the brain, especially pituitary tumors, can lead to behavior changes in dogs. Diagnostic imaging like MRIs along with bloodwork helps diagnose brain tumors. Surgery and chemotherapy may be treatment options.

If your dog’s excessive wall chewing corresponds with other symptoms like appetite changes, lethargy, house soiling, or aggression, schedule a veterinary visit right away for further evaluation. Underlying illness often requires medical treatment along with behavior modification for resolution.

Risks of Wall Chewing

Allowing your dog’s wall chewing to continue unchecked poses a number of risks, including:

Property Destruction

Chewing can cause significant damage to walls, baseboards, window sills, moldings, drywall, wallpaper, insulation, and framing. Repairs can be expensive.

Household Dangers

Dogs may chew and ingest drywall, paint chips, insulation, nails, wires, or other hazardous house components. This can cause serious digestive obstruction or toxicity requiring emergency veterinary treatment.

Dental Injury

Chewing solid surfaces like drywall or wood carries a high risk of fractured teeth, trauma to gums, and damage to the soft tissues of the mouth. Dental surgery may be necessary to treat injuries.

Intestinal Blockages or Perforations

Sharp chewed wall components can pierce, perforate, or obstruct the esophagus, stomach, or intestines when swallowed. This requires urgent surgical intervention and hospitalization in severe cases.

Remodeling Costs

Severely chewed walls usually require extensive patching, plastering, painting, wallpapering, or paneling to restore aesthetics and functionality. Home remodeling expenses add up quickly.

Plumbing or Electrical System Damage

Dogs may chew into underlying plumbing pipes or electrical wires inside walls, causing water or property damage. Repairs can disrupt the household.

Safety Hazards

Exposed electrical wires create electrocution and fire risks. Leaks from chewed plumbing pipes can lead to mold or weaken foundations. Structural instability is also a concern.

Promptly curbing wall chewing is critical for avoiding catastrophic or expensive consequences. The risks to your home and dog’s health provide important motivation to break this habit.

Conclusion

Wall chewing is a common and destructive problem in dogs. Boredom, stress, teething, hunger, anxiety, instincts, or medical issues can motivate chewing. Providing exercise, play, training, chew toys, supervision, deterrents, behavior modification, and treating any medical conditions can help resolve wall chewing. If not addressed, wall chewing poses many risks like dental injury, house damage, high repair costs, property destruction, intestinal blockages, and safety hazards. While patience and consistency is required, stopping your dog’s wall chewing is important for the health and safety of both your pet and home. Discuss chronic or severe wall chewing issues with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical factors. With persistence and proactive management, you can successfully curb your dog’s chewing habit.