How to Stop Destructive Chewing with Dog Brain Games
I know how frustrating it can be to come home and find chewed shoes, ripped pillows, or shredded furniture. I used to think my dog was just “being bad” — but what I learned is that destructive chewing is almost always caused by boredom, anxiety, or a lack of mental stimulation.
In this post, I’m going to show you exactly how I used brain games to stop my dog’s destructive chewing — and how you can too. And if you want the full program that really worked for me, here’s my personal link:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Table of Contents
Why Dogs Chew Destructively
Chewing is natural for dogs — but excessive or destructive chewing is usually a sign that your dog isn’t getting enough mental stimulation. They need an outlet for their energy and curiosity.
When your dog’s mind is bored or under-stimulated, they’ll find their own entertainment — often by chewing on whatever they can reach.
That’s why just trying to correct the behavior rarely works — you need to solve the root cause.
How Brain Games Stop Chewing
When I started using brain games with my dog, I noticed right away:
- Less chewing on furniture
- Less grabbing at shoes
- More calm behavior in the house
- Better focus and patience
That’s because mental exercise tires your dog out in a healthy way — giving them the satisfaction they were trying to get from chewing.
The 3 Brain Games That Worked for Me
1. Scent Games
Hiding treats and toys for my dog to find worked wonders. Scent work taps into natural instincts and gives your dog a rewarding mental challenge.
2. Puzzle Feeders
I started feeding my dog through puzzle toys instead of a regular bowl. This simple change forced her to use her brain — and gave her something productive to do.
3. Slow Trick Training
Short, fun training sessions (10–15 minutes a day) helped my dog develop better focus and reduced her need to chew out of boredom.
If you want a full list of brain games to use, this is the exact program I follow:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
Results After 3 Weeks
After adding daily brain games, my dog’s chewing almost completely stopped within 3 weeks.
She no longer sought out shoes or furniture to destroy. Instead, she looked forward to our games and was more relaxed throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
If you’re struggling with destructive chewing, don’t just scold your dog — work their brain!
Mental stimulation was the missing piece for me — and it made all the difference.
If you want an easy-to-follow plan that works, I highly recommend this program:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to get started
Trust me — your dog will be happier, calmer, and your furniture will thank you!
Before I discovered brain games, I wasted so much time and money trying other solutions — sprays, bitter apple, crates, you name it. The chewing would stop temporarily, but always come back. That’s when I realized I was only treating the symptom, not the cause.
When a dog is mentally tired, they simply don’t feel the need to chew destructively. Once I started using brain training every day, my dog naturally stopped going after shoes, pillows, and other off-limits items.
What’s really great is that these games also reduce other problem behaviors — barking, jumping, whining — because they build focus and impulse control.
If you’re dealing with a puppy, brain games are essential. Puppies explore the world with their mouth, and without proper outlets, they’ll chew everything. Mental stimulation teaches them to think first — and saves your furniture!
Even for adult dogs, it’s never too late to make this change. One of my friends used the exact same program with her 5-year-old rescue, and the chewing stopped in just a few weeks:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
I also noticed that brain games built confidence in my dog. A confident, mentally stimulated dog is far less likely to chew destructively out of anxiety or frustration.
Another tip — rotating brain games keeps things fresh. I switch between scent games, puzzle toys, and trick training to keep my dog engaged.
On days when I’m busy and can’t do a long walk, mental stimulation fills the gap. After 15–20 minutes of brain work, my dog is calm and content.
I also found that using brain games helped my dog settle better when left alone — fewer signs of separation anxiety and far less chewing while I was gone.
If your dog tends to chew more when you’re not home, this can make a huge difference. The mental fatigue helps them stay relaxed when alone.
And since this type of training is 100% positive, it strengthens your bond with your dog — so they’re more eager to listen and follow your lead.
If you’re looking for an easy way to start, I highly recommend this program:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
It gave me the structure I needed — and saved so many shoes in the process!
Whether your dog is young or old, active or low-energy, adding daily brain games will work wonders — for your dog’s behavior and your home.
And remember — destructive chewing isn’t a sign of a bad dog. It’s a dog in need of more mental exercise — and brain training is the key to solving it for good.
Another benefit I didn’t expect? Brain games also improved my dog’s obedience. Once she was mentally stimulated, she was far more focused during our regular training sessions — and more responsive to cues.
I also noticed she became more relaxed overall — fewer hyper outbursts, less frustration, and more ability to settle calmly when resting indoors.
If you’ve tried other methods to stop chewing and haven’t had long-term success, trust me — brain training is worth trying. It made a massive difference for me and for many other dog owners I’ve talked to.
And it’s super easy to get started — this is the exact step-by-step program that worked for me:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
You’ll be surprised how quickly your dog’s chewing fades once you start working their brain every day.
Give it a try — your dog (and your shoes) will thank you!