Chewing is normal dog behaviour — especially for puppies and young spaniels — but when chewing becomes constant, destructive, or focused on furniture, skirting boards, carpets, doors, or household items, it’s usually a sign that something needs addressing.
Spaniels are intelligent, energetic, and often mouthy by nature. Destructive chewing is rarely “bad behaviour for the sake of it”. It’s more often caused by teething, boredom, anxiety, over-arousal, habit, or a lack of structure.
This hub will help you identify why your spaniel is chewing, what to do immediately to stop damage, and how to build healthier chewing habits long-term.
Key guides in this section
Start here: chewing and destruction (spaniel-specific)
- How Can I Stop My English Springer Spaniel From Chewing Everything?
- Why your Cocker spaniel may be destructive
- Do Cocker spaniels chew?
- Are Cavalier King Charles spaniels destructive?
Teething (puppies and young dogs)
Safe outlets and chew choices
Dental context (why mouths matter)
Related hubs
What destructive chewing looks like
Common examples include:
- chewing furniture legs, table corners, skirting boards
- shredding cushions, blankets, dog beds, toys
- stealing and destroying socks, underwear, shoes
- chewing door frames or scratching exits
- tearing carpets or rugs
- chewing leads or the lead clip
- grabbing hands or clothing (mouthy behaviour)
Chewing can happen when you’re present — but it’s especially common when the dog is:
- bored
- over-stimulated
- left alone
- overtired
First: rule out the obvious causes
Before training, check these quickly.
Teething (especially under 7–8 months)
Teething creates a strong urge to chew for relief.
➡️ Puppies: /spaniel-puppies/
Under-stimulation (boredom chewing)
A spaniel with no structured outlet will create their own.
➡️ Support: /spaniel-welfare/mental-stimulation/ and /spaniel-welfare/enrichment/
Over-arousal (wired chewing)
Some dogs chew more when they’re overstimulated or overtired.
➡️ Support: /spaniel-behaviour/over-arousal/ and /spaniel-welfare/rest-and-sleep/
Anxiety or separation distress
Chewing near doors/windows can be panic behaviour.
➡️ Support: /spaniel-behaviour/separation-anxiety/
Hunger, stomach discomfort, or pain
If chewing suddenly worsens, add a vet check to your plan.
Why spaniels chew (the most common reasons)
1) Natural mouthy behaviour
Spaniels explore with their mouths and love carrying things.
2) Chewing is self-rewarding
It relieves tension and feels good — so it repeats easily.
3) Lack of boundaries (and easy access)
If a dog can practise chewing furniture daily, the habit strengthens.
4) Reinforced stealing
If stealing socks creates chasing, attention, or a “game”, it escalates.
Start here: stop the destruction (practical plan)
These steps work best in order.
Step 1: Prevent damage first (management)
Management is not a “failure” — it prevents rehearsal.
Use:
- baby gates to block access
- a pen or safe room
- crate only if your dog is already comfortable with it
- tidy up tempting items (shoes, laundry baskets)
If chewing is happening when you leave, tackle separation distress alongside this hub.
Step 2: Provide legal chewing outlets
Spaniels need appropriate items they are allowed to chew.
Good options include:
- tough rubber chew toys
- safe chew toys appropriate to size
- food-stuffed toys (supervised at first)
Avoid giving random household items (old shoes, socks) as chews — it teaches the wrong category.
Step 3: Teach a clear “swap” habit
Instead of grabbing items back (which often turns it into a game), train:
- offer a treat
- say “swap” / “trade”
- dog releases the item
- reward
- then offer an appropriate chew
This reduces stealing, guarding, and chasing.
Step 4: Increase structured daily outlets
Destructive dogs usually need:
- shorter but structured walks
- calm training sessions
- sniffing and brain work
- enrichment that ends in calm
The aim is to reduce boredom and reduce over-arousal.
Step 5: Reward calm behaviour and settling
Many chewing issues improve when dogs learn to settle.
➡️ /spaniel-training/impulse-control/
➡️ /spaniel-welfare/rest-and-sleep/
Chewing patterns and what they usually mean
Chewing furniture when you’re busy
Usually:
- attention-seeking
- boredom
- lack of boundaries
Fix: - management + scheduled enrichment + reward calm “settle”.
Chewing doors or frames near exits
Usually:
- separation distress
Fix: - treat as separation anxiety first.
Chewing only in evenings
Often:
- overtired zoomies / wired behaviour
Fix: - earlier calm routine and rest support.
Chewing soft items (beds, blankets)
Often:
- boredom
- anxiety
Fix: - change the material and give structured outlet.
Common mistakes that make chewing worse
Avoid these patterns:
- chasing your dog when they steal things (it becomes a game)
- leaving the dog with too much freedom too soon
- increasing exercise only (creates a fitter dog, not a calmer dog)
- giving household items as “chew toys”
- punishing after the fact (dog doesn’t connect it to chewing)
Chewing is solved by prevention + replacement + routine, not by confrontation.