My lab mix is 1 1/2 yrs old. She chews everything in sight. What can I do to make her stop?
We give her toys, bones and the like and don’t know what to do with her anymore. She has already chewed up the sprinkler system, the door jams, the fence, a couple of patio umbrellas and much more. My husband is ready to get rid of her at any moment. What suggestions can anyone give me to get her to stop the chewing?
14 Responses
Jase
06 Feb 2010
Kibbles
06 Feb 2010
Put pepper on things. They will stop.
Blue Lisa
06 Feb 2010
Wait another year and a half. I know, it’s hard, but labs chew. They’re known for doing it. The other thing is to get her a Kong toy–one of the black ones made for really intense chewing. Stuff it with a couple treats and peanut butter, and let her chew to her heart’s content. And the previous suggestion is good, too. Cayenne pepper did the trick when my lab mix started chewing on the carpet. He hasn’t gone near that spot again!
Please don’t get rid of her! Be patient–it will get better!
1 Quint W
06 Feb 2010
put white pepper the stuff would be the best way to stop it but not the smartest. only thing i can say is put her in her crate whenever she does something you dont like.
Stephen G
06 Feb 2010
Try crating (putting her into a kennel) the dog after chews on something. You must associate the chewing berhavior with a negative reward. Also, if you keep the dog locked up all day then she is probably just bored and trying to get attention. when you get home from work/school take the dog out for a long walk or go for a jog. If she is tired then she will be less likely to act out for attention.
Yo LO!
06 Feb 2010
Try putting tabasco sauce on things you know she likes to chew…
Let me ask you this – Do you notice that she does it when you’re not home or giving her attention? If so, it could be separation anxiety. If this is the case, talk to your vet and a animal behaviorist.
That’s a lab for you though, their notorious for chewing and trying to eat anything in sight! I won’t even go into the things my lab has eaten over the past 12 1/2 years!
LoveMyLabs
06 Feb 2010
What I did for my 2 Lab puppies was rubbed tobasco sauce on things that were inappropriate for chewing. Only took one time of them trying before they learned. No problems since.
geri beri
06 Feb 2010
LABS ARE VERY HYPER DOGS. I HAVE A BLACK LAB. THEY GET BORED EASY THAT’S WHY THEY CHEW ON THINGS. TRY TAKING IT FOR A WALK OR SOME WHERE THEY CAN RUN OR SWIM.
jenn
06 Feb 2010
play with her/him she is chewing becuse she is board also give her chew toys she might be teething still or get another dog so she has some one to play with
sophylakes
06 Feb 2010
labs are hunting dogs… you will need to exercise her ALOT.. also crate train her,,, DO NOT, i repeat, DO NOT use the crate as punishment.. you can look up the proper way to crate train.. Next, is your dog from a hunting kennel or show kennel,,,, the hunting lines are far more wired… you could also go to obedience classes and/or agility classes… both of you would benefit from this and have a blast doing it… i also wouldn’t leave her for extended periods outside alone… she is bored.. and remember to play fetch ALLL THE TIME>> she is a retriever and was bred to be mouthy!!
Sandy W
06 Feb 2010
Is she crate trained? That is the first thing to do. Then you should enroll in your Canine Club and get out to those classes. Your dog is bored and needs a job. Do you walk her? Exercise for dogs is a lot more that just pushing them out the back door. With labs and retriever’s of any type, they need a lot of interaction with the owners (and with everyone else, human and canine). They are very social and need a job to do. I have had a lot of success with classes and you might consider a dig box for her outside if she spends much of her time alone. Make her a sandbox and fill it with sand. Before letting her out you hide some great chew toys in the sand box. (Kong’s filled with treats, bones filled with treats, etc.. ) You have now given her job!!
You can do the same thing in a crate. If she is chewing while you are away (don’t give her the opportunity) crate her and give her a job..Dogs need a job….If she has a job and things that she is praised to chew she will leave your things alone!!
keeperofpuppies
06 Feb 2010
Labs chew like you wouldn’t believe. I have marrow bones all over the place and every night before she goes to be or when we leave, i fill her KONG with treats. She needs another outlet for chewing.
starting over
06 Feb 2010
Labs are very intelligent creatures. I have 2 of them.
1) They need mental stimulation – get a buster cube. Put some food in there.
2) Walk that dog – several times a day. My guys are old now – 8 & 10 1/2. We do 1 1/2 to 2 miles twice a day. When they were young, my son used to put on roller blades to run them. It go to the point where every time he got out the roller blades, he had a canine shadow.
3)Get a Kong, put some peanut butter in it. Way deep, they like to chew, this will keep them busy chewing and getting the peanut butter.
4)Take your pup to obedience class- labs are capable of learning over 100 commands – this will help stimulate your pup.
5)Where are you when your dog is doing these nasty things…obviously not supervising. My dogs are stay with me all of the time. 99% of the time, they are in the same room with me. They are never left outside unsupervised. If you can not supervise your dog, crate it. If you are at work and you gave the dog a 2 mile walk in the morning, it will not mind spending the day in the crate.
6)When you catch your pooch chewing, tell it – No, No chew! in a stern voice, then give it an aceptable chew toy and when it chews the chew toy — say Good Girl, be happy. She will learn.
Nylabones are good chew toys, so are Kongs – avoid pigs ears and raw hide. Get a good size nylabone and watch to make sure it does not get too small, or she can choke on it.
Just hang in there- if you do what I said…the chewing will soon be a thing of the past.
Stephanie W
06 Feb 2010
I know when our lab used to chew things it was because she was bored. You might not be able to leave her unsupervised. And maybe take her to a store where she can pick out some of her own toys to chew on.

Is she doing it when you’re home or away? my dog has a separation anxiety….and does this. I have read a magazine the vet gave my mom on this, and it says to let your pet feel secure when you are gone…leaving the tv on, giving her something with your scent….normal everyday noises….it even went as far as to suggest making a ‘mixtape’ of everyday noises she would hear when you’re home….i.e. dishwasher, tv, washing machine, you talking…etc…
If it’s just chewing to chew, consider a bitter apple spray…made for dogs who chew! She may also have problems with her teeth….about $50-75 to get them cleaned and checked out…may be worth it! Good Luck