Two Ingredients In Your Kitchen Can Discourage Dogs From Chewing Furniture

Dogs love to chew, which is good when they are gnawing on their favorite bones and toys, but when they decide to trade their belongings to chew on your precious furniture instead, that's when things can become an issue. If your puppy or dog just can't seem to stop destroying your furniture, don't fret; there could be a potential solution to this problem right in your kitchen. Two common ingredients can actually be used as a chew deterrent on furniture, and it's incredibly easy to do so.

Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are two ingredients that you might have waiting in your kitchen right now, and they are also two ingredients that dogs are not the biggest fans of, as they don't enjoy sour or bitter flavors. Because of this, they can make for effective anti-chewing concoctions. Read on to learn how to make your own homemade chewing deterrent spray, and how to go about using it safely.

Making your own chew deterrent is simple. If using apple cider vinegar, combine about one part vinegar with around five parts water in a spray bottle. For lemon juice, add a small amount to a spray bottle of water, only a couple of tablespoons max. Test the spray on small sections of your furniture to make sure it doesn't damage it. After that, spray the mixture everywhere your pup likes to chew and all the places you want to prevent them from chewing.

Apple cider vinegar is safe to use as a chew deterrent, as small amounts won't cause any negative effects to your pup. Dogs do not like the smell of lemons, and the scent of the lemon juice itself will hopefully be enough to prevent them from chewing on the furniture. However, be aware that while lemon juice can have some benefits for dogs, ingesting too much of it can cause them adverse effects, specifically gastrointestinal issues, so be sure to supervise them when using this homemade spray. If your dog is still chewing the furniture after using the lemon juice spray, consider stopping or trying apple cider vinegar instead to prevent potential issues from too much citric acid such as vomiting and diarrhea.

If the homemade chew deterrent doesn't do the trick, or maybe you don't currently have access to lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, there are other steps you can take to prevent your pup from chewing on and potentially ruining your furniture. The first step to getting your pup to stop chewing furniture is making sure they have plenty of bones and chew toys to gnaw on instead. Dogs often start chewing on things they aren't supposed to when they are bored, so it's important they are getting enough stimulation and have enough things to keep them occupied. Make sure your pooch is getting enough physical activity as well as mental stimulation during the day to keep them from acting on these destructive behaviors out of boredom.

Sometimes, chewing on furniture could be a sign of something your dog is experiencing, such as separation anxiety. If you notice your pup typically destroys the furniture when you aren't home, this could be the root of the issue. Consider crate training your puppy to prevent them from ruining your furniture, or limiting their access to certain areas of the home using pet gates so they can't cause trouble while you are gone.