It is one of the most natural occurrences for puppies to chew. When puppies are teething, chewing is especially good for them as it helps them develop strong teeth and jaws. However, problems can arise, as your pup will chew on anything they come across. What follows are some simple tips you can follow to prevent damage in and around your home.

Make sure your house is filled with toys for the puppy. They love toys that can roll, squeak, rattle, or shake. Seeing as there are so many toys on the market these days, finding the right toys for your pup shouldn’t be a problem. Avoid soft rubber toys, as your pup will easily disassemble them and may even choke on them. If your puppy manages to remove the squeaker from a toy, remove it immediately.

Many puppies enjoy ice cubes as they soothe their gums. Frozen chicken broth ice cubes will be especially nice for your teething pup.

Nowadays you can also buy teethers that have been specially designed for puppies. Make sure they are made especially for puppies, as your pup will quickly destroy one designed for babies.

Also try toys that can be filled with peanut butter or something else that is tasty to your pup. They will spend hours chewing and licking these toys.

Rawhide chews are a great option, but make sure your pup is never left alone with these. Eventually these chews will get so small that they can be a shocking hazard to your pup. The remains of these raw hides are also not very pleasant, as they become sticky and dry to form a hard glue; this can be very difficult to remove from carpets. If you give your puppy rawhide to chew on, give it to him on a blanket so he can’t damage your property.

Real bones, particularly ones with some meat still on them, will be very appealing to your pup. Many butchers sell bones that they have cut especially for dogs. Heavy beef bones are the best option. Be sure not to give your pup chicken or pork bones, as these bones are too soft and will splinter easily, which can lead to choking. These splinters can also be swallowed by your pup and lead to perforation of your pup’s stomach or intestines.

It is vital that you do not give your puppy shoes or socks to chew on. Puppies can’t tell the difference between your signature dress shoes or your old sneakers. Both will have your scent on them, and your pup will just think these were all created for him to chew on.

Teaching your puppy proper chewing behavior will help prevent chewing problems later on. Be sure to keep your pup happy, emotionally stimulated, and amused, and as a result, leave his personal items alone.