Observing your golden retriever’s frequent chewing might lead you to question if golden retrievers chew a lot.
Yes, golden retrievers are known to chew a lot, especially during their puppy and adolescent stages due to teething, exploration, boredom, hunger, stress, and anxiety. Their innate urge to carry objects in their mouths also amplifies their chewing habits.
Let’s discuss everything related to your golden retriever’s chewing in this article!
Table of Contents
Do Golden Retrievers Like To Chew?
Yes, golden retrievers, especially when they are puppies, tend to have a natural inclination to chew.
Chewing is a common behavior in dogs, and it serves various purposes, including teething relief, exploration, and dental health.
Are Golden Retrievers Aggressive Chewers?
Golden retrievers are not typically known for being aggressive chewers.
In fact, they are generally known for having a gentle and friendly temperament.
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However, individual dogs may vary in their chewing habits, and factors such as age, training, and individual personality can influence chewing behavior.
Do Golden Retriever Puppies Chew A Lot?
Yes, golden retriever puppies are known to chew quite a bit, especially during their teething phase.
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Just like many other dog breeds, golden retriever puppies start teething at around 3 to 4 months of age.
During this time, they may experience discomfort and a strong urge to chew to soothe their gums.
You may ponder, do golden retrievers stop chewing?
As golden retrievers grow older, their chewing habits often decrease, and many develop better self-control, particularly after they pass the teething phase which typically occurs by 6 months of age.
After the teething phase, which can vary from dog to dog, golden retrievers often become less inclined to chew excessively.
However, it’s important to note that individual dogs may still enjoy chewing throughout their lives.
Their desire to chew can be influenced by factors such as temperament, boredom, and the availability of appropriate outlets for chewing.
Do Golden Retrievers Chew Like Labs?
Both golden retrievers and labrador retrievers have an instinct to chew, especially during their teething phase as puppies which typically occurs between 3-4 months to 6 months of age.
During this time, puppies may have an increased desire to chew to soothe their gums. While there are general breed characteristics, individual dogs may vary in their chewing habits.
Some labrador retrievers may be more prone to chewing, while some golden retrievers may show more restraint.
Factors such as training, socialization, and the environment play significant roles in a dog’s behavior.
How Long Do Golden Retrievers Chew A Lot?
The specific timeframe for how long golden retrievers chew a lot can depend on various factors, including:
Teething Period
The duration during which golden retrievers chew a lot can vary from dog to dog.
Chewing behavior is often most intense during the puppy and teething stages, typically between 3-4 months to 6 months of age.
During this time, puppies, including golden retrievers, may have a strong instinct to chew as they go through the discomfort of teething.
Once a golden retriever has finished teething, you may notice a reduction in intense chewing behavior.
Individual Variation
Each dog is unique, and individual personalities and temperaments can influence the duration of intense chewing.
Some golden retrievers may continue to have a strong desire to chew for a more extended period, while others may naturally outgrow it sooner.
Training and Reinforcement
The effectiveness of training and positive reinforcement can play a crucial role.
Consistent training efforts and reinforcing good chewing habits with appropriate toys can expedite the process of reducing undesirable chewing behaviors.
Environmental Factors
The environment in which the dog lives, the availability of suitable chew toys, and the level of mental and physical stimulation can impact chewing habits.
Do Golden Retrievers Chew Furniture?
Golden retrievers, like many other dog breeds, may chew furniture, especially when they are puppies.
Some reasons why golden retrievers, or any dog for that matter, might chew furniture are separation anxiety, teething, boredom, and lack of training.
However, chewing furniture is considered undesirable behavior and can be a challenge for dog owners.
Why Do Golden Retrievers Chew So Much?
There are many reasons which explain why golden retrievers chew a lot. Let’s take a look at them.
Genetics
Golden retrievers were trained to retrieve game during hunting expeditions.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Hunt?
Chewing is a natural behavior for them as it was historically essential for retrieving prey and carrying objects.
So, even now, golden retrievers naturally like to chew on things. It’s in their genes, that’s why they might chew on your shoes or furniture at home.
Puppy Development
Golden retriever puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them. Chewing is a way for them to learn about objects, textures, and tastes. It’s a normal part of their development as they discover their environment.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Carry Things?
Teething
Chewing plays a vital role during your puppy’s teething process.
This transition process from their baby teeth to adult teeth can be very uncomfortable as their gums can be sore and itchy.
Increased chewing activity serves as a natural remedy which helps them to alleviate this discomfort by massaging their gums and providing pain relief.
Boredom
Golden retrievers are energetic and intelligent dogs that require both physical exercise and mental stimulation to stay content.
When they don’t receive sufficient opportunities for play, exploration, and interaction, they may become bored and restless.
Chewing serves as a way to alleviate this boredom and release pent-up energy.
Stress and Anxiety
When puppies become part of your life, they suffer from separation anxiety which can continue when they see you leave the house or even just the room.
Chewing may serve as a coping mechanism for them to alleviate these negative emotions and provide a sense of comfort.
RELATED: Anxiety in Golden Retrievers: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
Hunger
When a golden retriever doesn’t receive enough food or feels hungry, they might seek out things to chew as a way to satisfy their hunger.
RELATED: Why Is My Golden Retriever Always Hungry?
Fun
For golden retrievers, chewing is a source of fun and pleasure that they naturally seek out.
Chewing stimulates their senses and provides a sense of satisfaction and pleasure, and releases endorphins, which are feel-good hormones, further enhancing the enjoyment they experience.
Lack of Training or Discipline
Golden retrievers may chew excessively due to a lack of training, as they may not understand what items are acceptable to chew on without proper guidance.
Training helps establish boundaries and redirect their chewing behavior onto more suitable items, preventing destructive habits.
Health Issues
Golden retrievers may chew excessively due to health issues such as dental problems, nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, allergies, anxiety, stress, or pain.
How to Stop a Golden Retriever from Chewing Everything?
Following are a few strategies through which you can help train your golden retriever puppy and your adult golden retriever to chew on appropriate items and reduce their tendency to chew on everything.
Teaching Your Golden Retriever Puppy to Stop Their Destructive Chewing
1. Supervise Your Puppy
When you’re working on breaking a chewing habit, it’s essential to actively supervise your puppy at all times by keeping full attention on them or by keeping them with you on their leash in the house.
This allows you to intervene and redirect their behavior whenever they attempt to chew on inappropriate items.
2. Chew the Right Thing
Offer a variety of durable chew toys specifically designed for dogs.
Rotate these toys regularly to keep your dog interested and satisfied with chewing.
3. Distract & Redirect
When you catch your puppy chewing on something they shouldn’t, calmly redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy.
Use a cue word like “chew toy” to help them associate the toy with the behavior you want to encourage.
4. Teething Pain
If your puppy is going through the teething phase, their urge to chew maybe even stronger.
Offer frozen treats or chew toys made from puppy-safe materials, such as frozen carrots or rubber toys filled with frozen peanut butter, bone broth, or yogurt.
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The cold rubber will soothe their gums and provide relief from teething pain while encouraging appropriate chewing behavior.
5. Crate Training for Alone Time
Limit your dog’s access to areas where they tend to chew excessively.
Use crate training to confine them to a safe space when unsupervised. You can also use baby gates for this purpose.
Put objects in the crate that will provide comfort to your dog and help ease any feelings of boredom or anxiety they might have.
RECOMMENDED READING: How to Crate Train a Golden Retriever? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Teaching Your Adult Golden Retriever to Stop Destructive Chewing
1. Spend Time With Your Dog
Spending quality time with your adult golden retriever is essential to address destructive chewing behavior.
By dedicating regular, interactive sessions, you can bond with your dog and provide mental stimulation, reducing the likelihood of boredom-induced chewing.
Engage in activities like walks, playtime, and training sessions to strengthen your bond and redirect your dog’s energy toward positive outlets.
2. Ensure Your Dog’s Needs Are Met
Make sure that the following needs of your dog are met to prevent destructive chewing:
Sleep
Ensuring your dog gets enough sleep is important in preventing destructive chewing behavior.
Golden retriever puppies often require 18 to 20 hours of sleep daily for their physical and mental development. As they mature, their need for sleep decreases to about 12 to 14 hours a day.
Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which may manifest as destructive chewing.
RECOMMENDED READING: Do Golden Retriever Puppies Sleep a Lot?
Exercise Regularly
Daily exercise is essential for addressing destructive chewing behavior in your adult golden retriever.
The amount of exercise should be based on their age, health, and breed characteristics.
It helps them burn off excess energy, alleviate boredom, and reduce anxiety, all of which are common triggers for destructive chewing.
Activities such as walks, jogging, hiking, or playing fetch provide both physical exertion and mental stimulation.
Enrichment
Teaching your golden retriever to stop destructive chewing through enrichment involves providing mental stimulation and outlets for natural behaviors.
This includes using interactive toys and puzzles, rotating toys regularly, engaging in training sessions, providing sensory experiences, using food-dispensing toys, playing hide and seek, and ensuring daily exercise.
These activities help prevent boredom and redirect your dog’s focus away from destructive chewing.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition helps prevent destructive chewing in golden retrievers by fulfilling their dietary needs, reducing boredom, and ensuring dental health.
A balanced diet maintains their energy levels and digestive health, discouraging the need to chew on objects for relief or as a behavioral response to nutritional deficiencies or excess energy.
3. Prevent Chewing From Happening
Take the following steps to stop chewing from happening in the first place:
Chew-Proof Your Home
Preventing chewing from happening by chew-proofing your home involves taking proactive measures to eliminate or minimize access to items that your dog may be tempted to chew on.
To prevent chewing from happening, chew-proof your home by removing hazardous items, using barriers like baby gates, securing personal belongings, investing in chew-proof furniture, providing appropriate chew toys, supervising and redirecting your dog, and using bitter sprays or deterrents on items your dog is tempted to chew.
Supervision is Key
Preventing chewing by supervising your dog involves keeping a close eye on them at all times to intervene and redirect their behavior if they attempt to chew on inappropriate items.
This proactive approach allows you to provide immediate guidance and ensure your dog stays away from objects they shouldn’t chew on.
4. Offer Lots of Chewing Options
To stop destructive chewing, offer your golden retriever plenty of chewing options to redirect their chewing behavior onto appropriate items and satisfy their natural urge to chew.
Provide a variety of durable chew toys that are suitable for their size and chewing habits.
Rotate the toys regularly to keep them interesting and engaging for your dog.
Providing ample chewing options helps prevent boredom and reduces the likelihood of destructive chewing behavior.
5. Redirection and Time Outs
To stop destructive chewing in golden retrievers, use redirection and time-outs as training techniques.
Redirect your dog’s chewing behavior by offering appropriate chew toys and praising them when they chew on these items.
If your dog persists in chewing on inappropriate objects, use a time-out by calmly removing them from the area for a brief period.
Maybe you put them in their pen or behind a baby gate in a designated chew-proof area.
Keep in mind that overly tired puppies and dogs can be extra mouthy, so consider if your puppy or dog might need a nap rather than just a break.
6. Understand Your Golden Retriever’s Developmental Stage
Chewing behavior is natural for dogs of all ages, though it’s usually more intense for puppies and adolescent golden retrievers, which is usually the worst age for golden retrievers.
RELATED: What Are Golden Retriever Puppy Behavior Stages?
Remember that puppies go through a teething stage, during which their need to chew can be even stronger and they may chew to alleviate discomfort.
Adjust your training and redirection methods based on your dog’s stage of development ensuring an effective approach to addressing destructive chewing habits.
7. Reduce Your Dog’s Stress
Reduce your dog’s stress by identifying and addressing potential triggers such as changes in routine, sound sensitivity, or separation anxiety.
Address them appropriately by providing a calm environment or giving them extra attention, petting them, or perhaps arranging a playdate with their canine friend could alleviate some of their stress.
8. Regular Health Checkups
Ensure regular health checkups to stop destructive chewing in golden retrievers.
Schedule routine vet visits to address any underlying medical issues that may contribute to chewing behavior, such as dental problems or allergies.
By maintaining your dog’s overall health, you can help prevent or manage destructive chewing habits effectively.
Do Anti-Chew Sprays Work To Stop Destructive Chewing?
Anti-chew sprays can be effective tools to discourage destructive chewing behavior in dogs, including golden retrievers.
These sprays typically contain bitter-tasting ingredients that are unpleasant to dogs, deterring them from chewing on sprayed surfaces or objects.
However, the effectiveness of anti-chew sprays can vary depending on the individual dog and the specific product used.
Some dogs may be deterred by the taste and stop chewing, while others may not be affected or may become accustomed to the taste over time.
Therefore, their effectiveness may vary among dogs, and they should be used along with other training and management techniques.
How Do I Stop My Golden Retriever Chewing Outdoors?
To effectively stop your golden retriever from destructive chewing outdoors, implement these targeted steps:
Inspect Your Yard – Regularly check for and remove potential chewing temptations like sticks, stones, or garbage.
Safe Chew Toys – Provide durable outdoor-specific chew toys to keep them engaged and redirect chewing behavior.
Outdoor Supervision – Monitor them during outdoor time to intervene before they chew on inappropriate items.
Training Commands – Reinforce commands like “leave it” or “drop it” during outdoor play, rewarding compliance with treats or praise.
Physical Barriers – Use fences or enclosures to restrict access to non-safe areas known for tempting chewables.
Regular Exercise – Ensure they get enough physical activity to minimize boredom, which often leads to destructive chewing.
Positive Reinforcement – Immediately praise and reward when they choose toys over inappropriate items to chew.
What Not To Do
Punishing
One thing not to do is to punish your golden retriever for chewing.
Dogs live in the moment, so punishing them after they’ve chewed something won’t effectively teach them what behavior is inappropriate.
Instead, focus on redirection and positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate chewing habits.
Turning It Into A Game
Another thing not to do is to turn chewing into a game.
Encouraging or laughing at destructive chewing behavior can unintentionally reinforce it as a positive activity in your dog’s mind.
Moreover, if you catch your golden retriever chewing something they shouldn’t, don’t make the mistake of chasing them in an attempt to retrieve the item.
This can be perceived as a game, encouraging them to repeat the behavior for attention or the thrill of the chase.
Instead, discourage this behavior through redirection and consistent training techniques.
Conclusion
While golden retrievers may have a natural inclination to chew, with proper understanding, training, and management techniques, owners can effectively address and redirect this behavior.
By supervising and providing appropriate outlets for chewing, such as chew toys, and implementing consistent training methods you can help them develop healthy chewing habits.
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