Help! My baby is chewing on furniture and walls

[Weneebug]

Harley is 9 months old now. When I first got him I was leaving him out in my house while I was at work until he started chewing my chairs, barstools and the house trim. I then started crating him during day. He HAD been doing so good after that until recently he has started chewing things while we are there. Most of the time I am able to keep an eye on him but sometimes get busy and he comes up missing. I really have no way of blocking off rooms (except for bedrooms) because all of my doorways are really big open arch areas so he still has a big area to roam in the evenings when we are home. Last night he got caught chewing the wood on my stairwell which made my husband furious because he did damage before we caught him. He has also been having a good time chewing an antique bench that I have. He has lots of chew toys and bones so I don't know why he is choosing the furniture and walls. I've read on here about the apple bitter spray...I was not able to find it but found something similar that I am going to try this evening. Does anyone else have other suggestions. I really have my doubts this bitter spray is going to work for him. I am at my wits end...Does anyone else have any suggestions?

[bchgirl]

Rub gel deodorant on any surface you don't want chewed. It won't hurt the wood...and he may taste it, but he won't chew the treated surface any more. Trust me.

[yorkie mad]

how about a couple of denta stix to chomp on , good for teething and for teeth.Sorry not much advice Tia didn't chew anything other than one bit of wall paper (weird) even though my slippers were in the same room as her as well as chairs, rugs ect.

[chewiesmom]

Try using vinegar on your furniture and walls. Most dogs do not like the taste of it. You can test it by simply simply pouring some on a paper towel and letting him sniff it. You will know immediately if he doesn't like the smell or taste of the vinegar.

[Midfielder]

Annie has chewed some, but only twice and didn't really do a lot of damage. Judie used cayenne pepper. She made a broth of it and spread it on our table legs. When Annie came up to it, she got a whiff and screwed up her nose and backed up for about two feet as fast as she could. Never tasted it and apparently it wore off because she doesn't avoid the table, but won't chew on it anymore.

[makhro]

Thanks to the OP because I had the same question. I am tired of seeing little teeth marks on my stair railing. I will try some of these suggestions.

Will the gel deodorant bother painted wood?

[Nancy1999]

I agree with the others, and have read some great things about clear deodorant. The vet even suggested that it be rubbed around (NOT ON) the incision spot after Joeys neuter. We used Bitter Apple spray, I've heard deoderant works just as well, if not better.

I do think it's important when attempting to stop a behavior to have a good substitution for the behavior. So be sure to have suitable chewing sticks or toys. Dogs have a great chewing instinct that needs to be satisfied. Some people suggest raw bones, and we use Merrick Bully Stix.

[Weneebug]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I sprayed bitter spray last night and will see if that keeps him away....if not I'm trying the deoderant. He was sniffing the bitter spray as I was spraying it but don't think he has tasted it yet. I hate not being able to trust him roaming the house.

[mscat]

The teething stage is the worst time they want to chew everything. Suzi was chewing up the door frames , and got a hold of a oak end table during those teething months. Bully Sticks are great for their chewing , and will keep them busy for hours. You can also confine him to an expen when you can't supervise him .

[sganow]

I have always used a little water with some cayenne pepper mixed into it and then smear it onto stuff the dogs started to chew on. That stopped them right away. Plus I always leave them plenty of their own toys to play with and chew on.

[yorkiemom08]

I had the same problem with Paco, I bought "Grannick's Bitter Apple Spray" and it worked!! He wouldn't go near the table or where ever else he had been chewing.