Chewing is a natural behavior and can help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, but it can also create Pointer chewing problems when it’s directed at inappropriate objects such as your shoes, your socks or even your furniture. Puppies chew because they’re teething, but they also chew when they’re bored. Because it’s a natural activity, you won’t really be able to prevent the chewing altogether, but you can redirect it to something more appropriate, like a chew toy. You should also keep your Pointer pup occupied and entertained so he’s not tempted to chew your couch cushions or slippers out of boredom.

A lot of people with puppies let them chew on whatever they want to. After all, they say, chewing comes naturally and he’ll grow out of it, right? Well, not really. The opposite approach, involving shouting or physical punishment, is equally wrong. Instead, the proper approach toward training Pointer puppies not to chew involves teaching them that chewing on certain objects is wrong and giving them acceptable alternative chewing “targets.”

To begin with, you need to realize your pup isn’t trying to punish you for leaving him alone by chewing on your socks, shoes or t-shirt. Instead, he’s directing his attention to objects that carry your scent because it’s his way of being close to you when you’re away. Dogs can’t manipulate things with their paws but they can and do mouth and chew things, and it becomes their outlet.

As with any type of Pointer puppy training, you should never hit or even shout at your puppy for any reason, even if he’s just chewed up your favorite shoes. Harsh punishment will only confuse him, and he probably won’t understand what he did to deserve it, so it won’t prevent him from chewing again. Worse, treating him harshly can make him afraid of you. Instead of trying to prevent him from chewing on things he shouldn’t, stop your Pointer chewing on inappropriate objects by giving him acceptable substitutes.

Whenever you catch your pup chewing on something you don’t want him to, take it away and give him a chew toy. As soon as he begins chewing on the chew toy, praise him lavishly. It won’t take long before he learns that chewing on the toy makes you happy, and chewing on the item it replaced does not. You might have to try a few different chew toys before you find your pup’s favorite, but there are plenty to choose from.

Make sure you give your puppy the right type of items to chew on when you’re addressing your Pointer chewing issues. Always give him chew toys that are appropriate for his age and size, and avoid giving him any old socks or shoes. He won’t be able to tell the difference between shoes and socks he’s allowed to chew on and those that are off limits, so it will confuse him.

In addition to preserving your personal possessions, addressing your Pointer chewing problems will keep your puppy much safer. If allowed to chew on anything he wants, he might unknowingly tackle dangerous items such as electrical cords or poisonous house plants. Teaching him what’s appropriate to chew on is therefore essential for his safety and an important part of your Pointer puppy training. Make sure all accessible items are safe and acceptable for him to chew on.

Crates are extremely useful for training Pointer puppies, and dealing with chewing issues is no exception. While he’s learning what’s acceptable to chew on, you can put him in his crate so he can’t get into trouble while you’re away. He won’t have access to anything that’s not in the crate with him. If you don’t own a crate, you should – but until you get one, you can confine your pup to a single room of the house to at least restrict his access to objects he might chew on.

Limiting your pup’s access to inappropriate objects and replacing them with chew toys is an effective way to redirect his energies and keep your Pointer chewing on more acceptable items. Of course, training Pointer puppies not to chew also involves giving them plenty of exercise. As a general rule, a tired puppy is a well behaved puppy.

As with any other type of Pointer puppy training, you’ll need to be consistent when you’re trying to stop your pup from chewing on inappropriate objects. As mentioned earlier, never give him an old shoe if you’re trying to keep him from chewing on your good shoes. Lay down strict rules about what he’s allowed to chew on, and enforce them consistently and fairly. Your Pointer pup is smart and eager to make you happy, so he’ll learn quickly.