Why does my dog keep chewing baseboards?

It can be frustrating when your dog develops a habit of chewing baseboards. Not only is it destructive behavior, but you may be at a loss for why they are doing it. Understanding the potential causes behind baseboard chewing can help you address the behavior and save your walls.

Reasons Dogs Chew Baseboards

There are several possible explanations for why dogs chew baseboards:

• Teething – Chewing helps relieve sore gums. Puppies teethe until around 6-8 months of age.
• Boredom – Dogs may chew when understimulated and lacking activities or playtime.
• Stress and Anxiety – Chewing provides stress relief and comfort for anxious dogs.
• Medical Issues – Dental pain, nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal issues or parasites can cause chewing.
• Attention Seeking – Some dogs learn that chewing baseboards gets a reaction from their owner.
• Compulsion – Repetitive chewing may be a compulsive behavior in some dogs.

How to Stop a Dog from Chewing Baseboards

You can try these tactics to curb baseboard chewing:

Address the Root Cause

In many cases, you’ll want to address the underlying reason behind the behavior. For example:

• Teething puppies need chew toys to relieve discomfort. Rotate different textures to keep them interesting.
• Bored dogs require more exercise, playtime and interactive toys. Try increasing daily walks and play sessions.
• Anxious dogs benefit from a predictable routine, calming supplements or anti-anxiety training.
• Medical issues should be treated through your veterinarian to resolve symptoms.

Getting to the root of the problem is the best way to fully stop the unwanted chewing habit long-term.

Dog-Proof Baseboards

Make baseboards less tempting by using deterrent sprays or covering them:

• Bitter Sprays – Apply bad tasting but pet-safe sprays to areas being chewed.
• Double-Sided Tape – Stick tape along baseboards – texture deters chewing.
• Protective Coverings – Use wood, plexiglass or vinyl covers to block access to baseboards.

Redirect Chewing

When you catch your dog chewing baseboards, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise and redirect them to an appropriate chew toy. Praise them for chewing the toy instead. With consistency, they will learn what they should and shouldn’t chew on.

Exercise and Playtime

Make sure your dog gets sufficient physical and mental exercise. Long walks, play sessions, puzzle toys and training classes can all help prevent destructive behaviors like baseboard chewing.

Ignore Attention-Seeking Behavior

If your dog chews baseboards to get a reaction from you, start ignoring the behavior. Don’t give them any attention, reward or correction. Only give attention for positive behaviors.

Use Crates Strategically

When you can’t directly supervise your dog, use a crate or puppy-proofed room to prevent access to baseboards. Introduce the crate slowly with positive reinforcement training.

Try Anti-Chew Sprays on Problem Areas

Spray commercial anti-chew or bitter tasting sprays directly onto specific areas your dog likes to chew. Reapply regularly per product instructions. This works best for dogs that chew in one or two areas rather than all baseboards.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your dog with praise and treats whenever you catch them doing something other than chewing baseboards. Reinforce the behaviors you do want to see. Over time, they will repeat those behaviors more often than the unwanted chewing.

Apply Consequences

If positive reinforcement alone doesn’t curb the chewing habit, add consequences like timeouts. When your dog starts chewing baseboards, calmly say “No”, interrupt the behavior and lead them to a bedroom or crate for a brief 1-2 minute timeout. Let them out once they are calm and quiet. Don’t use punishment that may aggravate anxiety or compulsions.

Try Anti-Anxiety Medications

For dogs with severe anxiety or compulsions, anti-anxiety medications and supplements may reduce baseboard chewing. Talk to your vet about options like prescription medications or natural calming aids.

Use Deterrent Devices

There are several devices on the market that deter chewing through sounds, smells or sensations:

• Sonic bark deterrents emit high frequency sounds when chewing is detected.
• Some devices spray air, citronella or scents when activated.
• Special mats or surfaces give a static shock sensation.

Use caution with deterrent devices, as they can startle some dogs. Proper introduction is important.

Try Remote Punishment

For some dogs, remote punishment devices like citronella collars work to stop unwanted behaviors like baseboard chewing. A spray is emitted immediately during the act. This method is controversial and best attempted under a trainer’s guidance.

Keep Puppies Confined When Unattended

Puppies should be confined to crates or puppy-proofed rooms when left alone to prevent access to baseboards. Provide plenty of chew toys. Supervise closely when giving freedom. As puppies mature, destructive chewing often subsides.

Consider Obedience Training

Formal training helps reinforce important commands like “leave it” and “drop it” while strengthening the human-canine bond. Destructive habits may diminish as your bond grows. Seek group classes or private sessions.

Rule Out Medical Causes

Schedule a veterinary exam to identify any medical factors contributing to chewing like dental disease, gastrointestinal issues or nutritional deficiencies. Treating the medical problem may stop related symptoms like chewing baseboards.

Use a House Line

Attach a 6-15 foot leash to your dog’s collar so you can easily interrupt chewing and redirect to a toy. This gives you close supervision without confining your dog for extended periods.

Try Interactive Toys

Occupying idle paws is key. Rotate special toys that challenge your dog mentally and physically, like food puzzles, chew toys and ball launchers. Dispense small treats or kibble to make them more enticing.

Block Off Rooms

Use baby gates to block access to rooms with baseboards and molding you want to protect. Allow access only when you can supervise so you can correct chewing immediately.

Provide Acceptable Chews

Give your dog plenty of appealing and appropriate chew items like:

• Kongs and other rubber chew toys
• Nylon bones
• Bully sticks
• Himalayan chews
• Antlers or other natural chews
• Rope toys

Rotate toys to prevent boredom and encourage chewing on acceptable objects instead of baseboards.

Use Regular Nail Trims

Keep your dog’s nails trimmed regularly to decrease scratching and damage to walls as they chew. Ask your groomer or vet to show you how to properly trim nails at home.

Discourage Through Distraction

The moment your dog starts chewing baseboards, enthusiastically call them away, ask for a command like “sit”, then reward. A high-value treat or favorite toy during training helps keep their focus on you.

Remove Greasy Residue

Clean baseboards regularly using an enzyme cleaner to remove grease and food residue that may attract chewing. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, as the smell may encourage urination.

Consider Replacement Materials

For severely destructive chewers, replace damaged baseboard with chewing-resistant materials like:

• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Vinyl
• Plexiglass
• Cement
• Stone
• Tile

These are less appealing for dogs to chew, once introduced.

Use a Remote Pet Monitor

Consider using a pet camera or monitor so you can check in and correct chewing remotely with verbal cues or alarms. This improves supervision when you’re not home.

Seek Professional Help

For moderate to severe cases of destructive chewing, seek help from dog trainers or behaviorists. They can perform an evaluation and develop customized treatment plans involving desensitization, management and positive reinforcement techniques.

Conclusion

Baseboard chewing is a common behavioral issue in dogs, but one that can be corrected through diligence. Address the underlying cause, dog-proof problem areas, make positive changes to routine and environment, and consistently reinforce desired behaviors. While chewing habits may take time and patience to curb, you can protect your home’s baseboards.