How to stop my dog from chewing things when you're gone

Destructive chewing while you're away is usually boredom, pent-up energy, or separation anxiety, and each needs a different fix. Give your dog solid exercise and a satisfying food puzzle or chew right before you leave, puppy-proof the space, and if you notice real panic — drooling, pacing, escape attempts, or nonstop barking — talk to a vet or certified force-free behaviorist about separation anxiety rather than just adding more toys.

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Step by step

Rule out true separation anxiety first — panic, drooling, pacing, escape attempts, or self-injury when alone call for a vet or behaviorist, not just more chew toys.
Tire your dog out with exercise and mental enrichment before you leave; a satisfied dog is far less likely to chew out of boredom or excess energy.
Give a long-lasting food puzzle or stuffed chew right as you head out the door, so being alone gets paired with something great to do.
Puppy-proof the space by moving valuable or dangerous items out of reach and offering a rotating selection of appropriate chew toys.
Practice short, low-stress absences on purpose — leave for a minute, then a few minutes, gradually working up so alone time stops feeling like a big deal.
Keep departures and arrivals calm and low-key; an emotional goodbye or greeting can make being alone feel more significant than it needs to.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if it's separation anxiety and not just boredom?

Boredom chewing tends to target random household items and stays fairly mild. Separation anxiety usually comes with visible panic — drooling, pacing, nonstop barking, or escape attempts — that starts within minutes of you leaving.

What toys are safest to leave with my dog unsupervised?

Choose puzzle feeders and chews specifically rated for tough or unsupervised use, and avoid anything that can be shredded into pieces small enough to swallow.

Will crating my dog stop the chewing?

A dog that's already comfortable in a crate often chews less because they're in a safe, low-stimulation space. But crating a dog with true separation anxiety can increase panic, so build crate comfort separately before relying on it for alone time.