![\"Dog](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dog-chew-door-frame-700x525.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRemember: those puppy needle-like teeth need something to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I\u2019ll explain why puppies chew on door frames and what you can do to prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After all, you don\u2019t want your house to be a large chew toy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is Chewing on Wood Normal? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes\u2013chewing on wood is normal canine behavior. After all, puppies explore the world with their mouths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, you need to discover why your puppy\u2019s chewing<\/a> so that your door frames and furniture don\u2019t become toothpicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back when Colby was in college his roommates blue merle Aussie mix puppy, Pepper chewed the posts on the patio cover in the backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally, these were probably about 6 inch by 6 inch squares. She whittled them down to mere toothpicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The patio cover posts aren’t door frames but yes in our experience young pups are like big termites!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chewing a door frame is dangerous to your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, I\u2019m assuming that your door frame is made of wood because most exterior and interior frames are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if a door frame is made of metal, it can be dangerous and cause broken teeth, damaged gums, and even injury to the jaw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chewing a door frame can result in many injuries to your puppy, including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puppies chew on household items for many reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some are normal puppy actions, whereas others stem from problem behaviors<\/a> that need to be addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following are some reasons why your pup may find the door frame so attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy is bored, anything in your household can become his chew toy. This includes your door frame or other wooden items such as your furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although your pup may chew on other household items, one of the main reasons he may chew on a door frame is to reach you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be when you exit your home to go to work or even when you go into another room and he\u2019s blocked from following you by a baby gate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, you may be having fun without him and he wants to join the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Destruction around doorways often occurs because a dog has separation anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs with separation anxiety often feel that you\u2019re not coming back and stress out when you leave. So they may try to reach you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some pups will destroy a door frame, a door, a window frame, and even the glass in a window in their panicked state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And some puppies are stressed for other reasons, such as sights or noises outside and chew whatever\u2019s available, including your door frame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chewing helps release endorphins, which aids in relieving anxiety and stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A teething puppy has sore gums and tries to relieve the pain by chewing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a door frame is available and he\u2019s used to you being near it because you need to get to other places, he may focus on it. And chew it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A puppy may have a broken tooth, swollen gums, or other dental problems. So he may chew the door frame to relieve the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy isn\u2019t given a sufficient amount of food or the correct nutrients, he may seek them out elsewhere. This includes your door frame or other household possessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your puppy may be accustomed to chewing on household and other items such as sticks or mulch outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course you want to break this habit as soon as possible because any habit may become difficult to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A puppy will get creative when there aren\u2019t dog chews available. And he may chew a TV remote, drapes, furniture\u2013and a frame to a door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Colby can attest to the TV remote chewing. When Linus was a puppy he chewed<\/a> all the TV remotes in the house and also one cell phone. This was when flip phones were a thing so not quite as expensive as today’s smartphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The world is a wondrous place to puppies. Everything\u2019s so new and great to explore. And he may feel \u201cwhy not examine the taste and texture of a door frame?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A puppy may have a medical condition that compels him to ingest non-food items such as wood, plastic, metal, or rocks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pica can be caused by intestinal parasites or poor nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see it everywhere\u2013in TV commercials and in funny pictures on the internet\u2013a dog fetching or carrying a stick. But don\u2019t give in to your puppy who wants to play with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In reality, if you have him play with sticks, he may believe that all wooden items are toys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So your door frame becomes just another big stick that he\u2019s chewing and maybe even attempting to retrieve to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A healthy puppy is a ball of energy. If his energy isn\u2019t properly expended, he will engage in unwanted behaviors, including chewing on a door frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to teach your puppy your rules<\/a>, including what items he should chew. So you can teach him a \u201cleave it\u201d command and redirect him to safe items to chew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Determine why your puppy\u2019s chewing on the door frame. There may be more than one reason as stated above. Then you can help solve this problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that your puppy has a sufficient amount of exercise for his age, breed, or mix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A border collie or lab will generally require more exercise than a shih tzu or maltese. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So make sure you provide enough walks or play time for his physical health and mental well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to physical exercise, your puppy requires mental stimulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course he can get this through obedience training. But also add other enrichment activities such as puzzle toys<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to other necessary practices, if your puppy is suffering from anxiety\u2013including separation anxiety<\/a>\u2013you need to do the proper behavior modification to manage the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will probably require the assistance of a qualified professional, such as a behaviorist, so that the problem doesn\u2019t become even worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs suffer mentally with stress and anxiety. And they can often severely injure themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve tried other methods to stop your puppy from chewing door frames without success, you should consult with your veterinarian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to determine whether there\u2019s a physical problem such as intestinal parasites or pica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many puppies love chewing on and playing with sticks and mulch. And some owners play fetch with sticks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These actions lead a puppy to believe that chewing on wood is acceptable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend that all twigs, logs, and sticks be picked up and properly disposed of. And don\u2019t play with any wood pieces with your pup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, be sure to block access to any wood piles or mulch. Some much, such as cocoa mulch, is deadly to dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an obedience instructor, I believe that all dogs require basic training at a minimum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It helps convey our rules, communicate with our dogs, prevent boredom, and build a bond with a puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can teach him \u201cleave it\u201d<\/a> for items that he can\u2019t have\u2013such as a door frame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And don\u2019t forget to praise him and reward with great treats when he performs a desirable behavior, such as sitting, lying down, or being calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO-TRAINER TIP: <\/strong>Have a supply of great, yummy treats<\/a> that your puppy can\u2019t resist ready as a reward. They should be small, no larger than a pea. Always have your reward treats ready before giving your obedience cue. Using a special treat such as small pieces of cheese or boiled, deboned chicken can help a dog have a positive association with something.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A puppy who is given too much freedom too soon will probably engage in destructive behaviors. These include house soiling and chewing on the wrong objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So keep your puppy in the same room that you\u2019re in so that you can correct and redirect any undesirable behaviors. You may need to put up gates<\/a> to help contain him in the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If he starts to chew at a door frame while he\u2019s with you, just use an interrupter to cut off the behavior. Say \u201ceh-eh\u201d or \u201chey.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then redirect your puppy to an acceptable activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even better: if he\u2019s headed towards a door frame, interrupt him and call him to you. And make it a party when he gets to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Praise him and give him yummy treats so that being with you and obeying your cues is more rewarding than chewing on the door frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re not present to watch your puppy, use a method to contain him so that he\u2019s not able to chew on the wrong items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He can be confined to a crate<\/a> or exercise pen<\/a>. But make sure you get him used to these before putting him there and leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use gates or other barriers to block him from the door frame. Of course, you still need to make sure that he doesn\u2019t chew on other household items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you see that your puppy is looking at or heading towards a door frame\u2013or any undesirable item\u2013redirect his attention to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Squeak a favorite toy<\/a> and play fetch. Call him to you and praise and reward him for coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our busy lives, we often forget to give our dogs enough attention. Playing with him and training him are crucial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But sometimes just spend some down time relaxing with him. Bonding time is important and will help his other behaviors be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many chew deterrents<\/a> that you can put on the door frame to deter your puppy from making a meal or chew toy of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many holistic aids that can help a dog to calm down and have less anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s music called Through a Dog\u2019s Ear<\/a> that\u2019s been developed for this purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A ThunderShirt<\/a> correctly used can help alleviate stress and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a product called Adaptil<\/a> that comes in a plug-in, spray, and collar which can help a dog calm down. The ingredients mimic the canine mother\u2019s pheromones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And there are calming tabs<\/a> and Rescue Remedy<\/a> that can be ingested to help a dog be serene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Always check with your vet first before giving anything to your dog that he needs to consume. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Chewing Wood Is Dangerous<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Reasons Why Puppies Chew on Door Frames<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Boredom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. To Reach You<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Separation or Other Anxiety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Teething<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Dental Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Hunger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Habit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Lack of Other Items To Chew<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Curiosity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Playing With a Puppy With Sticks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lack of Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lack of Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Stop Your Puppy from Chewing on a Door Frame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Physical Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mental Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Behavioral Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consult With a Veterinarian<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pick Up the Wood in Your Yard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No Out-of-Sight Freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Confining Your Puppy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Block Access to the Door Frame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Redirection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give Your Puppy a Sufficient Amount Of Attention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use a Chew Deterrent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use Holistic Aids <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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