Why are dog kennels always being chewed up? The lesson I learned from using 10 dog kennels

If you walked into my home, you’d probably see all sorts of gnawed furniture, from sofas to table legs, and even a wall riddled with holes. My biggest pet peeve: the doghouse. For the first year and a half my dog was a year old, he’d need a new one almost every month, and that’s no fewer than ten in total.

I wondered if there was no such thing as a “chew-proof dog bed” on the market. I searched various keywords like “chew-resistant” and “sturdy,” but it turned out that there was nothing my Labrador couldn’t chew through.

Later, I realized the problem wasn’t the kennel itself, but rather why the dog was biting it. After understanding its motivations, I finally found a solution. Today, I want to share my experience with you, hoping it can help you avoid mistakes.

Dog biting: physiological and psychological signals

My dog’s crazy biting is actually the result of a combination of two reasons. First, you need to distinguish whether your dog is grinding his teeth or venting his emotions.

Physiological biting: Teeth are itchy and must be ground!

Between three and seven months old, puppies go through a teething phase. Just like human babies chew when teething, dogs also experience frantic grinding due to itchy gums. At this stage, dogs are relatively destructive. You can provide them with stuffed toys, leather, or fish chews. I bought a bunch of them so they’d have something to chew on instead of my desk and chairs.

Psychological biting: It’s all caused by anxiety!

This was the hardest part. My dog was a classic case of separation anxiety. When I was at work during the day and he was left alone, he’d feel incredibly anxious and uneasy. Chewing became his way of releasing his emotions and seeking comfort. His doghouse was one of his most familiar and closest objects, second only to me, so it became his primary target. I didn’t realize it at the time; I thought he was just being naughty.

Stop chewing: understanding, guiding, and diverting

I quickly realized that spanking and punishing my dog for biting was ineffective because when he was anxious, he couldn’t control himself. All I could do was understand him and help him find a better outlet for his emotions.

Learn to be alone : I started training my dog to be alone gradually. I would leave for a few minutes, then come back, and gradually increase the time I was away. This taught him that I was only leaving temporarily, not abandoning him.

Divert attention: A dog’s attention is easily drawn. Before I go out, I give him a large bone stick or dried fan bone. These snacks are enough for him to chew all day long. When he is immersed in the delicious food, he will completely forget to chew the doghouse.

Find the “right” kennel: I’ve noticed that dogs have different preferences for different bed materials. My dog particularly likes cotton and linen, but isn’t interested in waterproof Oxford fabric beds. So I replaced his main bed with Oxford fabric and placed a few of his favorite cotton toys next to the bed. This way, he has something to chew on while still keeping the bed safe .

Keep it clean: I also found that my dog was more likely to chew his bed if it was dirty, smelly, or when the weather got warmer and he no longer needed it to keep warm, so I made it a habit to clean the bed every two weeks and simply put it away when the weather got hot.

The final surprise: time is the best antidote

As time goes by, my dog grows up and becomes calmer. He is less and less interested in destroying the house, and the doghouse lasts longer and longer. Now, he has been using this doghouse for a month and it is still intact.

Conclusion

From a dog owner who was troubled by “house destruction” to a “veteran” who can deal with it calmly, my biggest feeling is: raising a dog is a journey of continuous learning and growth.

Behind the biting behavior, the dog is sending you a signal. Understanding its needs, both physical and psychological, is the key to solving the problem.

Does your dog also love to chew? What are your unique anti-chewing tips? Share your experiences in the comments section. Let’s create a better world for dogs together!