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My puppy is eating walls! How do I stop this destructive chewing?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | unspayed | 8 months and 9 days old | 8 lbs

My Jack Russell named Patches is tearing apart and eating all the walls in my home

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on September 10th, 2019

Puppies are notorious for destructive behavior. Most dogs will outgrow this by 2 years of age but not all do. Additionally, this behavior is not only destructive but it can lead to ingesting toxin substances and intestinal foreign bodies which are fatal without treatment. Patches needs to be crated any time you are not physically watching her. It's safer that way. Here are two helpful links:
Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/chewing-in-puppies-how-to-control-it/

Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/how-to-crate-train-your-puppy-or-older-dog/

I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on November 10th, 2017
Puppies bite and check on everything! Its up to you to train Percy what he is allowed to chew on. I would recommend to buy or rent a book on puppy training. You will find so much helpful information about so many things. Dog learning is complex. Its best to really understand how they think as this will help with training.
I would also recommend to kennel train him to help limit his access to things he should not be chewing on. The book will also go over that as well as house breaking and tricks. I hope this helps and congratulations on your new puppy!!!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on December 27th, 2016
Chewing on everything within reach is very normal behavior for puppies this age. I would make sure that you are providing lots of things for him to chew on to provide an appropriate outlet for this behavior - things like bully sticks, cow or pig ears, large rawhide chews, or puzzle toys such as a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter are all good options. I would also confine Zeus in a crate when you aren't home or not able to supervise him, to prevent him from having the opportunity to chew on walls or furniture.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Why does my dog chew everything destructively when left alone?

Puppies are notorious for destructive behavior. Most dogs will outgrow this by 2 years of age but not all do. Additionally, this behavior is not only destructive but it can lead to ingesting toxin substances and intestinal foreign bodies which are fatal without treatment. Addy needs to be crated any time you are not physically watching her. It's safer that way. Here are two helpful links: https://www.petcoach.co/article/chewing-in-puppies-how-to-control-it/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-crate-train-your-puppy-or-older-dog/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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How do I stop my puppy from eating sand and chewing on the walls?

Bad Stella! She is a young puppy and they tend to find things they really like to chew and eat! This is really common due to their age and their abundant energy. I would strongly recommend to keep her in a crate whenever you cannot watch her. They are like toddlers and need to be monitored all the time. Unfortunately, there isn't a medicine that you can give her to make her stop. I would be sure to have plenty of toys that are okay for her to chew on and to help occupy her time. I would also take her on plenty of walk and play with her a lot to help expend her extra energy. You may also want to get a trainer to come to your house to help. Finally, taking her to doggy day care while you are at work could also help prevent her from being as destructive at home.

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Why does my 3-month-old Pomsky puppy chew everything? How to stop it?

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My 8-week-old puppy eats furniture and floor. How do I stop it?

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