How To Stop a Chihuahua From Chewing on Everything

Do you come home after a long day of work only to discover that your Chihuahua has chewed up everything in sight? This type of behavior can be discouraging to say the least, and it even forces many owners to give their Chihuahuas away. After all, no one wants to continue replacing rugs, carpet, clothes, furniture and other items that frequently get chewed up. If this sounds like a familiar situation, you should take note of what I’m about to tell you.

Chewing Chihuahua

A lot of owners blame the chewing behavior on their Chihuahua’s destructive personality. Sure, some Chihuahuas are naturally more energetic and curious than others, but you can’t place the blame on them. The fact is that all Chihuahuas, regardless of their personality, can be taught not to chew on furniture and other belongings. It may not happen overnight, but with time, dedication and lots of treats, you can teach your Chihuahua the boundaries of what’s acceptable and what’s not when it comes to chewing.

Top Reasons Why Chihuahuas Chew On Things

The first step in preventing a Chihuahua from chewing on things they shouldn’t is to understand what the driving force is behind this behavior. Contrary to what some people may believe, there’s always a reason why a Chihuahua chooses to chew on things, but it’s up to the owner to find out what it is.

Here are some of the most common reasons why Chihuahuas chew:

  • Boredom – Probably the most common reason why Chihuahuas chew on things they shouldn’t is simply because they are bored. Because of their small size, some owners neglect to spend the necessary time playing and mentally stimulating their Chihuahua. As a result, the Chihuahua will try to fill this void by chewing on things to pass the time.
  • Too much energy – Highly energetic Chihuahuas are also more likely to chew than those with less energy. So how are you supposed to reduce your Chihuahua’s energy level? The answer is simple – take them outside for exercise more often. When you’re cooped up inside the house with nothing to do, put a leash or harness on your Chihuahua and take them for a walk around the neighborhood. Once you get back home, they will likely be too tired and exhausted to even think about chewing.
  • Separation anxiety – Does your Chihuahua whine and pitch a fit anytime you leave the house? This is known as separation anxiety, and it’s one of the most common causes of chewing. Essentially, your Chihuahua is acting out in a fit (much like a small child) when you leave. They want to create a mess by chewing on things so you’ll take notice of them.
  • Nervousness – Yet another reason why Chihuahuas chew on furniture and other things they shouldn’t is because they are nervous. If you introduce other pets or new people into the home, it may trigger a nervous outbreak where they chew on things to relieve their stress.
  • Teething – When a young puppy begins to develop their teeth, they will experience an itching sensation that can only be soothed through chewing.

Chihuahuas on a Scooter

Give Your Chihuahua Something They CAN Chew On

If there’s one piece of advice you take away and follow after reading this, it should be to give your Chihuahua something that’s acceptable for them to chew on. You simply can’t expect a Chihuahua to stop chewing on things they shouldn’t unless you give them something they can chew on. This will allow them to safely satisfy the urge that’s driving them to chew without destroying your home or your belongings in the process.

Here are some great chew items to consider purchasing for your Chihuahua:

  • Rope toys
  • Kong toys
  • Rawhide chews
  • Squeaky toys (Chihuahuas love these)

What To Do When Your Chihuahua Chews On Things They Shouldn’t

No matter how hard you try to prevent it, chances are your Chihuahua will chew on things they shouldn’t at one point or another. It’s important to keep a cool head and not get angry or assertive when this happens, as doing so may send the wrong message to your Chihuahua. When you notice they’ve chewed on the furniture, rug or something else they shouldn’t. Call their name in a stern manner so they know what they did was unacceptable. Most Chihuahuas are well aware of what they did and will try to run into a different room of the house to hide. Don’t allow them to hide, but instead go and find them and bring them back over to the mess. Once they are in front of it, say “No” or “bad boy/girl” and immediately take them to their crate for a time out.

In addition to letting your Chihuahua know that chewing on furniture and other belongings is unacceptable, you should also encourage good behavior through rewards. If you allow your Chihuahua to roam the house free when you’re gone, give them a treat when you come home to a non-destroyed house. You want your Chihuahua to know that you’re appreciative of their good behavior, and treats are the perfect way to accomplish this. I recommend giving them crunchy milk bones, as these are healthy, low in fat, and they even help clean tartar off your Chihuahua’s teeth as they chew them.

Chihuahua Chewing on Treat

Other Tips To Prevent Your Chihuahua From Chewing

As long as you follow the advice previously mentioned, your Chihuahua should catch on and stop chewing on things they shouldn’t. If you are still coming home to a destroyed home, though, try utilizing some of the following tips:

  • Put your Chihuahua in a crate when you are unable to watch them. If they don’t have access to other rooms where carpet, rugs, curtains and other items are, they won’t be able to chew on them.
  • Consider using fabrics that are tougher, rather than soft to discourage chewing. Polyester rugs are naturally a better choice than wool or cotton rugs.
  • Immediately stop your Chihuahua when you see them chewing on things they shouldn’t. Whether it’s the rug, curtains or even your hands, you need to let them know that it’s unacceptable and not tolerated inside your home.

Comments

    • shell
    • January 18, 2023
    Reply

    I feel better reading everybody’s comments. My male chihuahua is about 9 months old and has been chewing my molding, and furniture. I usually crate him when I’m not around but if I leave him alone he usually does something bad. I’m working with him still and hope consistent obedience helps.

    • Priscilla
    • September 15, 2022
    Reply

    My chi girl is almost 5 mo and a terrible chewer. Guess she isn’t the only one, but she’s driving me crazy! She is also licking and nipping with play biting. I’ve tried everything too! she is much better at pottying, but it took a long time & still not total. she knows what to do but….she tears up potty paper. I got her a plastic potty pad, but she tore the paper out of it in spite of the grate that went over it so I took thje pads out and don’t use them, so she does go on the plastic pad! I’d rather clean it than have all the paper potty pad torn up all over the place! I want her to be indoors all the time as we have no yard (that’s why I got a little dog)!

    As for the biting, I’ve tried everything too, but just today, I started squeezing her moth around her teeth and said stop real loud and she would lay in my lap very nice . When she started wanting to mouth and nip, I did it again and she would stop! she is very wiggly, but I kept doing it and she calmed down very nice. as soon as she started again, I did the same thing and put her in her crate for awhile. When she came out, I put her in my lap and she started again, but I did the same thing and I think she is starting to get it….hopefully!

    • Pamela
    • August 27, 2021
    Reply

    My boy is 2 months old. He is still being pad trained and I am very consistent with this. He no longer does number 2 in my carpet but still pees when he’s excited and doesn’t want to make it all the way to the puppy pad. However when he’s not distracted or over excited I noticed he’s very good about going to his pad. The way I have been addressing this is whenever I see him squat on the carpet I walk over to him and put him in his crate. A crate is a must when you are house breaking. It is their time and their space to unwind.

    One part of it you place the pad and the other part their bed. And make sure their is no room for them to go potty anywhere else but on that pad. This let’s them know that is where they are suppose to go. Whining and screaming is normal for the first SEVERAL times you do this but you have to be consistent!!! Don’t talk to them or even look at them. This is not cruel, this is training and it works. When they stop crying and you see they have used their pad praise them in a sweet voice. Also do not put their food and water in their crate with them unless you’re going to be out of your home for more than 3 hours. This will only cause them to fill up the puppy pad faster and cause your puppy to destroy his pad because they won’t use a pad that is full. I usually change his pad when he has done both business 3 or four times.

    Your puppy or dog in training should ALWAYS be in his crate when you are away from home or unable to watch him at all times. This is very important!!! The kind of crate I use is a wire crate, the big one. One side for his pad and the other for his bed. You can also put a toy and some chew sticks in his bed. This helps with any separation anxiety they may have but never food and water unless you will be away for more than 3 hours. Only give a fourth of a cup of food and the same amount of water and puppy should be just fine till you come back home. I have successfully trained 2 other chi’s this way, one male and a female. They are both deceased now from old age. But that crate made very good pets out of my little dogs. Let me know if anyone needs help on any other problems you’re having.

    • Kathy
    • June 8, 2020
    Reply

    I had a male and a female chihuahua. One crossed the rainbow bridge at 15 (male) and the other at 14. Neither chewed on anything – the only thing the male liked was a tennis ball. When he was small, he’d work his teeth into the fuzz and bring it to me to throw. Coco the female only wanted to sleep by me wherever I sat. I will never have another male dog! I tried everything to get Pepper not to “mark” my furniture
    Spraying him with water after saying NO, creating him, etc. I fought it for all 15byears he lived. He even peed on Coco once right in front of me. TlMale chis are the most stubborn dogs I’ve ever had. I now have a female 4 yrs old. She has an accident every now and then she but my main problem is with her chewing hubby fabric on my rocker and fluffy fabric – blanket. Then she goes around hacking like she got some in her throat. I have covered all fabric chairs with sheets which she doesn’t chew. She loves squeaky toys and balls to chase but invariably “hides” or loses them! 🤷‍♀️ Love her to pieces though!

      • Joseph
      • November 2, 2020
      Reply

      Kathy, I know exactly how you feel. My Killer passed away a couple of years ago. (I still think of him every single day) and my Sampson is still with us.. for the life of me, I havent been able to get him to stop marking.

      I did finally end up getting belly bands for him. The disposable and a top cover.

      Its not cheap, but its cheaper than replacing my furniture every couple of years and I am no longer shopping at Ikea.. so its really no longer a real option.

      I also have two girls, and neither seem to have the problem. Of course, I cannot leave them anywhere near a rub or carpet.

      Ill never have males again. Lexie and Holly may be more willful, but its a lot easier to mop up a mess than to discover an ottoman soaked through to the wood with urine and then having to either replace the whole couch or spend a lot of money getting it cleaned.

    • Magdalena Glessing.
    • October 6, 2019
    Reply

    My chihuahua will be 9 months old her name is bossi.she was a good girl till about a month-and-a-half ago that I started working. She starts to chew on the paneling of my trailer and the wallpaper on the doors. I rent the trailer and my landlady is very upset. I’ve tried treats I’ve tried putting her in her carrier I play with her. But lately I’ve been sick I have my L4 and L5 disc pinching my sciatic nerve so I can’t play with her and run with her like I did in the beginning. I have tried everything I have tried toys I have tried rawhide I have tried leaving her by herself so it’s to see if she’ll behave but when I come home there’s always a mess. I don’t know what to do I love her so much I don’t want to get rid of her.

    • Brenda
    • March 22, 2019
    Reply

    I have a one year old chiuhuia name mimi she chew on any and everything she can I did/ do everything mention in the article but she still do it again and again I put her in the crate for time out she yipe and wine while in there so i walk away than she howl i walk her for an hour or so that don’t tire her out she still have the urge to chew she has chew bones toys etc to play with and chew sheet got one of the other dogs chew toys and store it to hell please give me an idea on how and what else i can do.

    • Brenda
    • January 27, 2019
    Reply

    I have a 1 year old miniature chiuhuia I give her a raw hide bone to chew on she chew it for 5 minutes then she sniff the carpet for for food in the carpet she pulls the carpet apart beginning to eat it than when one of us walk away from her and go into another room were she can see us she goes barking g crazy and we keep her on a leash so we can watch her closely she don’t like it at all she rather go for eating the carpet then eating her dog food how do I stop her from tearing my carpet and eating it and the excessively barking for no reason there are other dogs here to play with she play with them outside only but she is so stubborn don’t listen to nothing I ask her .

    • Annette Claridge
    • September 5, 2018
    Reply

    My chihuahua is 7 mths old and is chewing my house to bits. He’s not board as I have a 2yr old Labradoodle who he plays with alot. I have tried everything I can think of to try and stop this habit but to no avail. Should I crate him or will this cause more problems as he won’t be able to get to my other dog?

      • Judy Stamey
      • November 27, 2018
      Reply

      I have one, and she doesn’t do that.i broke my Chihuahua girl by spanking her ass up, and after one week she was broke.I love my minnie, but she doesn’t tear my house up!!!

    • Melissa Akers
    • July 31, 2018
    Reply

    I found a solution online–a scent they avoid. My 1-year old chihuahua was biting the corners of a cushion and my giant exercise mat. I made 2/3 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part white vinegar and sprayed the corners of the mat/cushion.

      • Maria Adams
      • July 10, 2019
      Reply

      I tried this.. didn’t work.. im going crazy.. he’s a year old..

    • Dee
    • March 27, 2018
    Reply

    My 4 month old Chihuahua is very hyper. She has plenty of toys, and outside time. She will come in from outside and potty right away on the carpet. Also chews on everything and anything. I praise her when she poddy’s outside, and assertively scold her when she poddy’s on the carpet. I also send her to her bed in time out when I catch her chewing on something other than her toys. Don’t know what else to do. Help!!

      • Valerie
      • March 7, 2023
      Reply

      I have an approximately 14 month old male Chihuahua mix. Nothing we did would stop him from chewing! I did not want to give him rawhide chews. But, that was my last ditch effort to be able to keep him. I will not have an animal tear up my furniture . So, we tried the rawhide chews. They have worked miracles! We only let him have them when we are with him, in case of choking. we take them away when they get fairly small. I buy oversize ones, and they seem to work very well. he has an insatiable desire to chew and will chew very aggressively! Without those, I would have to give him away, but I’ve grown very fond of him, and do not want to do that, so the rawhide are a very good alternative for us. I have noticed that he chews less when he gets to go outside and run and play, but, we have 40 acres that are not fenced in. That poses a big safety issue for him.

    • heather
    • March 16, 2018
    Reply

    I have deer/applehead chiachuahua she is 6 1/2 months old she has chewed my couch to pieces I have boughten her a chew toy/rope toy etc and she will not play with them please someone tell me what I can do I’m getting desperate I have to do something my husband wants to give her away I’m trying to keep her

      • Ellin
      • January 10, 2019
      Reply

      I have a 7mos old chihuahua. You must be consistent and follow the advice in article above, to the letter. Crate time-out after you
      scold no, or bad. This will only work if you are consistent.
      Good luck & don’t give up. Sometimes I suspect they are testing us to find the safe boundary, much like children🙏

    • Yvette roldan
    • March 11, 2018
    Reply

    I rescue my chihuahua from a rescue at 4 months and now he is 10 months. He has lots of energy and has never chew on anything of mine but his toys. They do need lots of attention but I wouldn’t change him for the world! Love you Max

    • Samantha stone
    • February 16, 2018
    Reply

    I also have a 1yr old chihuahua she has chewed phone chargers, slippers, shoes,started on my carpet and now noticed the corner of my wall! So nice to know I’m not alone..

    • Felicia Gipson
    • December 18, 2017
    Reply

    My husband and i have a deerheaded Chihuahua and she has a obsession with chewing the crouch or butt out of pants or shorts at first it was only my stuff now she still does some of mine but more of his than anything but she only does it when she cant get to me if im in the bathtub or if she cant get to me when me and him are having “our” time help dont know what to do to get het to stop i have tried showing her what she did and telling her no i have tried timeout not really sure what elsr to do

    • Shane
    • July 24, 2017
    Reply

    My chi is chewing and biting on everything and everyone don’t know how to train a chi only pitbulls HELP PLZ

    • Olivia
    • April 26, 2017
    Reply

    I’m getting a Chi in 6 weeks and I’m not prepared I don’t even know what he is going to need I haven’t even picked out a name for him and I am just so scared because I think he will not like me and will bite me all the time.

    • Carmen
    • January 20, 2017
    Reply

    My 9 month old Chihuahua name Bella she has a bad habit of chewing on wires glasses remote controls I have issues with my husband because of this I’ve had her and she was 2 months old I love my dog what else can I do to help prevent this from the happening again I know lock her in my bathroom with my other Chihuahua who’s a bit older until I get home cuz I cannot trust her roaming around the house help please😥

    • Susan
    • May 21, 2016
    Reply

    My 1 and 1/2 year female is addicted to a certain rawhide treat. she will hunt and bring me everything from A-Z around home to get one. { 1st time I said good girl n gave her treat}now she won’t stop. HELP

    • debi
    • June 24, 2015
    Reply

    I rescued my chi 2 yrs ago. he ate my leather sofa, wouldn’t let me leave the house (he would physically block the door ) & was an all around terror. I had previously owned 2 dogs, one of whom was a chi, and they were both VERY well behaved…I ended up hiring a behavioral therapist. she saved our lives, and would highly recommend professional help before getting rid of your baby. hes so good now, I call him my angel boy

  1. Reply

    My grandma just bought a chiuaua and it chews up everything.i will tell my grandma these tricks so maybe she will start training because he is only 1 and a half months.

    • Axel
    • July 3, 2014
    Reply

    Thanks for the info. I think part of our Chihuahua’s chewing the carpet is bordem. When my boyfriend and I are not home he tends to chew the carpet, we currently have 7 holes on the carpet. When he does this my boyfriend corrects him, tells him he’s a bad boy and points at what he has done. He then tells him to get in his bed and he is obedient and does it. He doesn’t chew our furniture, nor blankets, nor his cushioned bedding he has lots of toys that he has torn apart but we buy him more to keep him entertained. He is very energetic and runs around the house every day at a high speed with a toy in his mouth. I take him for walks and my boyfriend will take him to the park and allow him to run around but he continues to bite our hands, our feet and the carpet. We will not give him away but will continue to work with him. I hope that eventually this will end. We love our Chihuahua very much.

    • Mark
    • April 18, 2014
    Reply

    I read a lot of information in your website. I’ll buy Chihuahua tomorrow and I am so excited about it. I wanna make sure that I know a lot about them before i buy. Tonight I will start buying dog food and cage so tomorrow when he arrive in my condo everything has been prepared and we have more time to play more. One thing though, i’m really concerned about pottying because I am a neat freak.. lol!

  2. Reply

    I’m having this same problem. I got all 3 of my chihuahuas at seperate times through the humane society one though I got it was my first one. He is over 2 now and is still doing this. He doesn’t get bored we have a dog door to go out to the back yard whenever he wants. He and then others go out and play so he’s losing energy. He will just take his teeth and gnaw on my sofa pillows, couch cushions, I give him toys with a squeaker but as soon as he gnaws on the squeaker which is about a few minutes on a brand new toy he already has a hole in it, same with the plastic toys too he’s done with it and wants no part of it.

    I even got him one of those Kong tuff toys rated at 10 for the tuffest. It did not matter he still got through it it may of taken him a few minutes longer though! He chewd through my quilt all his dog blankets in the dog bed. He chews out all the stuffing in toys too and I come home to it all over the floor, he chewed open one of his dog beds and ripped out all the stuffing. Once he’s done that he wants no more of it.

    He has chewed through about all my blankets including my homemade quilt my mom made me! I have tried treats, yelling his name and pointing at what he did,even a shock collar which only works sometimes and it’s only when he has the collar on. I don’t know why he’s doing this since there is no boredom, wining when we leave from separation, he gets exercise, and we even have a dog feeder that always is full so he wouldn’t be hungry but not that he gorges himself with the food cause he eats a little throughout the day and he’s not overweight at all and is a little on the skinny side.

    I just don’t know what else to do. Should I crate him if I catch him doing it again? For how long? Or what would be the best for this? I wish I had the dog whisperer here to tell me what he’s feeling or thinking. I’m just so fed up with this but I won’t give him up I have tried almost everything!

      • Nene
      • December 14, 2017
      Reply

      Wow its a relief to no its not just my male chihuahua that do this.My husband don’t want to let him go but u see that ain’t the way to go.

      • Valerie
      • March 7, 2023
      Reply

      Crate him when you are gone. Our dog has a larger crate than he needs, so I can leave Water in there and he has room to walk around and stretch. Also, leave the doors shut that have important things like homemade quilts in them. All of our bedroom doors are shut, unless we are in there with him. We leave nothing in the floor for him to chew. He has chewed on one of my couch blankets, and one pillow. we got onto him, and he seemed to learn pretty quick that those were not for him. but, we feel that if we left him alone, while we were gone for a few hours, he would chew them. don’t ever trust them until you think that they are past all that chewing. Ours is about 14 months old and he cannot be trusted alone yet. I give him a few treats when we leave so that he feels it is a privilege to get in his crate. Now I have bought some relaxation treats to give him if I think will be gone for more than just a little while. he doesn’t seem to have separation anxiety.

    • ivellisse
    • December 23, 2013
    Reply

    okay so I have two Chihuahua’s that are starting to bite on a corner of the wall. like tearing off the paint. I have lots of toys and rawhide bones available to them both. what should I do? I don’t want them getting sick….:(

      • Holly
      • April 14, 2018
      Reply

      Try blocking ALL corners of the room and providing more toys for them to chew on. If they do not try to chew on the corner, give them some treats.

    • Joanne Mangum
    • November 12, 2013
    Reply

    Thanks for the help on Chihuahuas it sure was very helpful..this my very first Chihuahua its a toy she is only 7 weeks old but she is a very pleasure to have so far,I’m trainer her and she is doing very good going potty…
    thanks for the very helpful points you wrote its hard finding her clothes only xxx-extra small

    1. Reply

      Glad to hear training is going so well with your Chi pup!

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