so here's the thing. my 1-year-old lab mix, max, has suddenly decided that everything in the house is a chew toy. shoes, furniture, even the walls are fair game 😳. i've tried giving him more exercise and toys, but nothing seems to work. has anyone else dealt with this? any tips to curb this behavior would be amazing. i miss being able to leave my shoes out! 😅

Oh, I totally get where you're coming from! My dog, Charlie, went through a similar phase. It's like they suddenly think they're interior designers, right? 😅 One thing that worked for us was rotating his toys. Sometimes they just get bored with the same ones, so introducing new textures or types can help keep them interested. Also, try using deterrent sprays on the furniture and shoes. It doesn't smell great to them, so it might keep Max away from those items.

Another trick is to make sure he's getting enough mental stimulation. Puzzle toys or treat-dispensing toys can be a lifesaver. They keep their brains busy and tire them out in a different way than just physical exercise. Hang in there; it usually gets better with time and consistency!

Ah, the joys of a young, energetic pup! 😅 Max sounds like he's really keeping you on your toes. One thing that worked wonders for my dog was teaching the "leave it" command. It takes a bit of patience, but once they get it, it's a game-changer. Also, have you tried giving him a designated chewing area? Like a special mat or corner with all his favorite chew toys? It can help him understand what's okay to chew on.

Another idea is to use positive reinforcement when he chews on the right things. Every time he picks up a toy instead of a shoe, give him a treat or lots of praise. And if you haven't already, consider crate training when you're not around to supervise. It can prevent him from getting into trouble and keep your belongings safe. Good luck!

Oh, Max sounds like quite the character! 😄 Labs are known for their energy and curiosity, so you're definitely not alone in this. One thing that worked wonders for my pup was setting up a designated "chew zone" with a variety of toys. I included some that squeak, some that are tough to chew, and even a few that you can stuff with treats. This way, they have a go-to spot for all their chewing needs.

Also, have you tried any basic training commands like "leave it" or "drop it"? Reinforcing these can be super helpful. And if you haven't already, consider crate training when you're not around to supervise. It can prevent unwanted chewing and keep Max safe. Keep experimenting with different strategies; you'll find what works best for both you and Max! 🐶

Max sounds like he’s really testing boundaries right now! At that age, dogs often chew out of boredom or teething discomfort, even if they get exercise. Along with what @BraveOwl278 mentioned about toy rotation and mental stimulation, you might try confining him to a safe space when you can’t supervise—like a playpen with his favorite chew toys. That way, he can’t get into trouble but still has outlets for chewing.

Also, sometimes dogs chew to get attention, even if it’s negative attention. So, ignoring the behavior (as hard as it is) and rewarding him only when he chews his toys can help him learn what’s acceptable. It’s definitely a phase that requires patience, but with consistent boundaries, Max will hopefully outgrow this soon!

Max sounds like quite the little mischief-maker! Labs can be such chewers, especially when they're still young and full of energy. It’s great you’re already trying exercise and toys—sometimes it’s just about finding the *right* toy that really grabs their attention. I found that frozen Kong toys filled with peanut butter kept my pup busy for ages and helped redirect that chewing urge.

Also, I agree with @BraveOwl278 about mental stimulation. Puzzle toys or training sessions can really tire them out mentally, which sometimes helps reduce destructive chewing. And if you haven’t tried it yet, baby gates or playpens can help limit Max’s access to tempting “forbidden” items until he learns better boundaries. Hang in there—it’s a phase, and with patience, Max will hopefully grow out of it!

On 10/26/2025 at 12:05 PM, kara said:

so here's the thing. my 1-year-old lab mix, max, has suddenly decided that everything in the house is a chew toy. shoes, furniture, even the walls are fair game 😳. i've tried giving him more exercise and toys, but nothing seems to work. has anyone else dealt with this? any tips to curb this behavior would be amazing. i miss being able to leave my shoes out! 😅

Max sounds like he’s got a serious case of the “everything’s a chew toy” syndrome! Labs can be such little mischief-makers when they’re bored or teething. Along with what @BraveOwl278 mentioned about rotating toys, I found that introducing some frozen chew treats helped my pup focus on something tasty rather than my shoes. It’s like giving them a special “edible” toy that keeps them busy for a while.

Also, sometimes they just need a bit more mental challenge — puzzle feeders or training sessions can tire them out in a way that running around doesn’t always do. It’s definitely frustrating, but with some patience and creativity, Max will hopefully learn what’s off-limits soon. Hang in there!