"Chewing comes naturally to puppies," the AKC says. The question is what they chew. The AKC's breed page gives the Dutch Shepherd a 5 out of 5 for Mental Stimulation Needs, the "Needs a Job or Activity" end of the scale. Its note on that trait is a fair warning for anyone with shoes. Without the brain exercise purpose-bred dogs need, it says, "they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy." A puppy with a mouthful of new teeth and nothing to do will find a project. Here is why puppies chew, how to puppy-proof the house, which chews to pick, and how to teach "drop it" without starting a game of keep-away, sourced to the AKC and Humane World for Animals.

Why puppies chew, and why your stuff wins

Puppies "explore the world with their mouths, and chewing helps to relieve teething pain," the AKC says. "Before they're 6 months old, puppies lose all their baby teeth as their adult teeth grow in."

Your things are not off limits in a puppy's mind. "In a dog's mind, if something is within reach then it's on offer," the AKC says. "Plastic is wonderfully chewy and when it has our smell, it can be irresistible." A second AKC guide adds that your sneaker "might be more appealing because it smells like you."

Adult teeth don't end it. "By around 6 months of age, they have their adult teeth," the AKC says. "At this point, they may stop chewing as much, but boredom can give them a reason to take up the habit again."

Why it matters more with a Dutch Shepherd

The AKC describes the Dutch Shepherd as a breed "bred for hard work, and plenty of it," and says it "does not want to be a pet left at home; they want to be your partner in life." On the Mental Stimulation Needs scale, which runs from "Happy to Lounge" to "Needs a Job or Activity," the AKC says purpose-bred dogs without enough brain exercise will find their own projects, and "they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like."

Humane World for Animals puts it plainly: "If your dog is bored, they'll find something to do to amuse themselves." The AKC says the same about older dogs that chew everything: "If your dog isn't getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, they might act out by chewing on things they know they're not supposed to." For this breed, the chewing plan and the exercise plan go together.

Step one: puppy-proof the house

"The only 100% effective way to save your possessions from destruction is to keep them out of your dog's reach," the AKC says. Humane World for Animals agrees: "If you don't want it in your dog's mouth, don't make it available."

Azul, Dutch Shepherd dam, sitting on a log in front of an old wooden rail bridge, in her harness
Azul out on a walk. Exercise and brain work come first; the chew toy comes after.

Step two: pick the right chews

"If you don't make chew toys available to your puppy, they'll make their own out of whatever they can sink their teeth into," the AKC says. The trick is matching the chew to the dog.

For teething, cold can help. "Providing cold chews can help ease the pain in your pup's tender gums," the AKC says, and a food-stuffable puppy toy "can be filled with mushy kibble or broth and frozen." Humane World for Animals suggests freezing a rubber toy, then: "As always, supervise your puppy so they don't chew and swallow any pieces." Its toy guide adds that if your vet says your dog can eat peanut butter, make sure it is not sweetened with xylitol, "which is toxic to dogs."

Step three: supervise, and use a safe spot

The AKC says to supervise your puppy during all waking hours, because "the couch cushion, the leg of the dining room table, or the baseboard could all become your dog's next chew toy." Humane World for Animals suggests keeping your dog with you on a leash in the house until they're consistently chewing on appropriate items, so they "can't make a mistake out of your sight."

When you need to step away briefly, the AKC says to use a crate or a dog-secure area and to "provide several chew toys to keep your dog occupied while they're in that spot," and to consider food-stuffed chew toys, "a great way to get your puppy hooked on chewing appropriate items." Humane World for Animals adds a rule worth keeping: "crates should never be used for punishment and should be a space where your dog feels safe."

Tire them out first. "If they're physically and mentally tired, they'll settle down faster and easier," the AKC says.

Step four: keep the right toys special

A pile of toys on the floor gets boring. "If they are lying around all the time, they aren't special," the AKC says. "Rotate them, only having two or three, at most, available at a time." Humane World for Animals suggests building toys into the day: "Instead of bowls, put their food in a puzzle toy or fill a Kong-type toy with their kibble." It also says to "keep some toys hidden and bring them out when you need to keep your dog occupied."

Step five: teach "leave it" and "drop it" by trading

The AKC calls "leave it" a cue that "can be a lifesaver," because it "can prevent your dog from snatching your slipper or from eating dropped medication." For something already in the mouth, teach "drop it" or "out." The AKC says: "Teach it by trading your puppy for something better like a treat or beloved toy."

What not to do

Don't punish after the fact. "If you punish your puppy after the fact, they won't learn anything except you're scary and unpredictable," the AKC says. "Instead, tighten up your supervision for next time." Humane World for Animals says the "guilty look" is "actually a canine submissive posture that dogs show when they feel threatened or unsafe."

And expect a loss or two. "At some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value," Humane World for Animals says. "Your dog needs time to learn where and what the appropriate chew toys are."

When chewing points to something else

The AKC says excessive chewing "could also, in some cases, be a sign of pain in the mouth, teeth or gums," and suggests asking your vet. Humane World for Animals lists separation anxiety and fear among the possible reasons for destructive chewing in adult dogs. "If you believe your dog's chewing is related to serious anxiety, you may need to consult a behavior professional." Our guide to leaving a Dutch Shepherd home alone covers the alone-time side.

The question to ask before you apply

Every puppy chews. With a Dutch Shepherd, the fix is a puppy-proof house, the right chews, steady supervision and enough exercise and brain work every day. Our application asks how much daily exercise and training time you can commit and how many hours the dog will be alone on a weekday. Answer it with this stage in mind.

The short version: puppies chew to explore and to ease teething, and a bored Dutch Shepherd will find its own project. Keep your things out of reach, match the chew to the chewer, toss broken toys, and supervise or use a safe spot. Rotate toys, trade instead of grabbing, don't chase unless it's a safety issue, and never punish after the fact.

More for the first months: puppy biting, crate training and brain work.

Sources