Just like human babies, puppies love to explore the world around them. Sometimes, this means simply going from room to room and seeing what's going on. Other times, it means actually chewing or eating something - even things that aren't meant to be eaten. In addition to just being curious, puppies - like babies - also go through teething. This period can be very painful, and chewing on something can help relieve the discomfort. However, this behavior is not always appropriate. While a toy designed for teething is one thing, allowing your pup to chew on anything and everything is not just frusrating, but dangerous as well.

It is best to nip this behavior in the bud as soon as possible to eliminate problems further down the road. In order to keep your dog's chewing to a minimum, here are five steps you can take to make the process much easier for both you and your dog.

Puppy Proof the Home

The easiest way to keep your pooch from chewing up the many items in your home is to put them out of their reach. Start with any toxic products or chemicals, including certain plants. Other items to keep out of reach include electrical cords, socks, shoes, and children’s toys. Shut the doors to rooms that you have not puppy-proofed and consider crate training for times when you cannot supervise them.

Stop Inappropriate Chewing

If you see your dog chewing on something they shouldn’t, take it away from them immediately and scold them. Then, present them with a proper chew toy and praise them. This will teach your dog the difference between what they can and cannot chew. You can also apply bitter apple as a taste deterrent to items that you cannot store away from the dog. It’s not going to be an easy process, especially with puppies, but being persistent and taking away all inappropriate items will eventually get through to the dog.

Encourage Proper Chewing

This means purchasing the right toys for your puppy to chew. Anything you purchase should not break down or be able to be swallowed, as this can pose a hazard. You’ll want to monitor your puppy to prevent them from swallowing items their intestinal tract cannot handle. Instead, you should try greenies, nylabones, and chew-sticks that will actually help clean your puppy’s teeth. In addition, balls and other objects small enough to be carried, but too large for them to swallow, are appropriate chew toys as well.

Address Medical Issues

Inappropriate chewing may be the result of an undiagnosed medical issue with your dog. Such issues include deficiencies in nutrition, gastrointestinal trouble that causes nausea, and other factors that may lead to chewing as a response from your dog. The problem is that some medical issues may not be apparent right away, so you may want to take your dog to the vet simply to rule out any potential medical issue, whether you suspect something or not.

Play with Your Dog

Playtime is not only fun for your dog, but for you as well. Plus, the energy your dog uses while playing with you means they have less to use in finding inappropriate items for them to chew. Playing with your dog also helps the two of you bond and create special memories together.

Teaching your dog to chew on appropriate items will not only protect your personal items, it will also help further the bond between you and your dog.

5 Steps to Correct Inappropriate Dog Chewing

Play with Your Dog