Labrador Chewing on Everything? How I’d Stop It Without Losing Your Shoes

At 10 months old, my Lab Buck was left alone in the yard for less than 20 minutes. In that time, he chewed through a heavy-duty nylon leash and half a wooden patio chair leg. He wasn’t being bad. He was a bored teenage retriever with a mouth that needed a job. Labrador chewing is normal, and most Labs chew hardest until about 2 years old.

The good news is that destructive chewing is very fixable. The fix is almost never punishment. It’s the right chew toys, enough exercise, smart management and a little patience while your Lab grows up.

When do Labs stop chewing?

Most Labs chew the most from 3 months to 2 years, and then settle down. They never stop chewing completely, because chewing is a normal, healthy dog behavior, but most adults learn to chew the right things.

Chewing usually happens in two waves:

The adolescent wave catches most owners off guard. People think they’re done once the puppy teeth are gone, then a 9-month-old Lab eats the TV remote.

Why your Labrador chews everything

Labs are retrievers, bred to carry things in their mouths all day. That instinct doesn’t switch off at home. Here’s the quick version, then the detail:

• Teething in puppies
• Boredom and spare energy, by far the most common cause in teenagers
• Stress or separation anxiety
• Food smells and curiosity
• Dental pain in adults

Here are the common reasons in more detail, roughly in order of how often I’d suspect them.

1. Teething

Puppies chew because their gums hurt. Puppy teeth start falling out at about 3 to 4 months, and most adult teeth are in by 6 to 7 months. Chewing relieves the ache. My guide to Labrador teeth and dental health covers the stages in more detail.

2. Boredom and too much energy

This is the big one for adolescent and adult Labs. A Lab that isn’t getting enough exercise or mental work will find its own entertainment, and chewing is the easiest option. I’ve written about how much exercise a Labrador needs, and most chewing problems shrink when exercise goes up.

3. Stress and anxiety

Chewing is calming for dogs, so stressed dogs chew more. Moving house, a new baby, a change in schedule or being left alone can all trigger it. My guide on how to calm an anxious Labrador has ideas for stressed dogs.

4. Separation anxiety

If chewing only happens when you’re out, often at doors and windows, separation anxiety is worth considering. This kind of chewing is driven by panic, not boredom, and it needs a different approach. I’d talk to your vet or a reward-based trainer early.

5. Hunger and curiosity

Labs are food-obsessed. Anything that smells of food, from lunch boxes to trash bags, is fair game. Leather shoes and socks smell of you, which makes them irresistible too.

6. Dental pain

Sudden new chewing in an adult Lab can mean mouth pain, like a cracked tooth or gum disease. If your adult dog suddenly starts chewing more, or chews on one side, a vet check is a good idea.

Why I wouldn’t punish chewing

Punishment doesn’t teach a dog what to chew. It only teaches that chewing near you is risky. Shouting at a dog that’s already chewed something hours ago is pointless, because dogs don’t connect the punishment with the earlier act. Even catching the dog in the act and yelling can backfire, teaching it to chew in secret or to run off with things.

Interrupt and redirect instead. Calmly take the item, swap it for an appropriate chew, and praise the dog for chewing that. It sounds too simple, but it’s how dogs learn.

Don’t chase a dog that grabs something. To a Lab, that’s the best game in the world. Trade it for a treat instead, and practice “drop it” when the stakes are low.

My step-by-step plan to stop destructive chewing

Here’s the plan I’d follow for a chewing Lab. The order matters, because management and exercise make training far easier.

1. Rule out pain or illness, especially if chewing started suddenly in an adult dog.
2. Dog-proof the house: shoes in closets, cables out of reach, trash cans with lids.
3. Use a crate, pen or baby gates when you can’t supervise.
4. Increase daily exercise and add mental work.
5. Provide plenty of the right chew toys, and rotate them.
6. Redirect every mistake to a chew toy, and praise the right choice.
7. Teach “leave it” and “drop it”, and build alone time slowly if chewing happens when you’re out.

Give it a few weeks. Most Labs improve quickly once they have outlets and fewer temptations.

Management makes good choices easy

Management isn’t cheating, it’s the foundation. A puppy can’t chew your shoes if your shoes are in the closet. I’d treat the first two years like having a toddler in the house: anything chewable at Lab height either goes up, goes away or gets watched.

Crate training is the most useful tool I know for this. A crate keeps a young dog safe when you can’t watch, prevents rehearsing bad habits and gives the dog a calm den with a good chew. I’ve written about the benefits of crate training for Labs, and I’d consider it essential for every puppy.

Exercise and mental work

A tired Lab chews less. Most adult Labs need about an hour or more of real exercise a day, plus something for the brain.

These are the outlets I’d use:

• Brisk walks with sniffing time
• Fetch and retrieving games, which suit a Lab’s mouth perfectly
• Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats for meals
• Short training sessions, even 5 minutes a few times a day
• New walking routes, which tire the brain as much as the legs

Feed meals from puzzle toys. It turns a 30-second meal into a 20-minute job, and it uses up exactly the kind of energy that otherwise goes into chair legs.

Choosing safe chew toys for a Lab

The right chew toy lasts without breaking teeth. My guide on choosing the right chew toy for your Labrador goes into detail, but here are the basics.

The chew I’d recommend first is a heavy-duty rubber toy. Buck has had his black XXL KONG Extreme for 7 years, and it’s still in one piece. Stuffed with peanut butter (without xylitol) and frozen, it keeps him busy for about two hours. It’s heavy enough to scuff hardwood floors when he drops it off the couch, and the rubber gets tacky if it’s left in the sun, but I’d still buy it again.

Here’s what I’d look for and avoid:

• Good: tough rubber toys sized for a large dog, stuffable puzzle toys, frozen washcloths for teething puppies
• Use with care: rope toys and plush toys, only under supervision
• Skip cooked bones, which can splinter
• Hard chews like antlers or hooves can fracture teeth
• Avoid anything small enough to swallow whole

A common rule of thumb: if your thumbnail can’t dent it, it’s probably too hard. And always size up for a Lab. A toy that’s too small can become a choking hazard.

Rotate toys to keep them interesting

Dogs get bored of the same toys. I’d keep a few out at a time and swap them every few days, so “new” toys appear regularly without buying more. A basket on a high shelf works well as the “toy library”, and a toy that’s been away for a week often gets the same excitement as one straight from the store.

Mouthing and chewing toys on you

Many Labs chew their toys while leaning on you, or gently mouth your hands. It’s usually affection mixed with excitement, and I’ve written about why Labs chew their toys on you in more detail.

Puppy mouthing on hands needs gentle redirection. When teeth touch skin, freeze, say “ouch” calmly, and offer a toy instead. Keep greetings calm and have a toy ready, so the dog learns to fill its mouth with something other than your sleeve.

What to expect at each age

Knowing what’s coming at each age makes patience easier. In the first few months at home, a puppy explores the world with its mouth, so it’ll chew everything from shoelaces to table legs, and the best response is a house that’s been puppy-proofed so thoroughly that there’s very little to get wrong. Between about 4 and 7 months, as adult teeth push through, gums are sore, and frozen chews or a cold, wet washcloth can give real relief.

From about 7 months to 2 years, chewing becomes more about energy, boredom and testing the rules, and this is when I’d lean hardest on exercise, puzzle feeders, crate time and a steady routine. Most Labs come out the other side by their second birthday, though some field-bred dogs take a little longer to settle, and nearly all of them keep a lifelong love of a good chew in the evening.

When chewing becomes dangerous

Swallowed objects are the real danger with chewers. Labs are famous for eating socks, toy parts, corn cobs and stones, and these can cause blockages that need surgery.

Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your Lab shows these signs after chewing:

• Repeated vomiting, especially if nothing stays down
• Not eating or drinking
• A swollen or painful belly
• Straining to poop, or no poop at all
• Lethargy or restlessness

Don’t wait to see if it passes. Some objects need to come out quickly, and your vet may want to make your dog vomit or take X-rays. Never try to make your dog vomit at home without your vet’s advice.

Toxic items are another risk. Chewed medication bottles, chocolate, sugar-free gum with xylitol, batteries and some plants can all be dangerous. Call your vet or a pet poison hotline if you think your Lab has chewed something toxic.

A puppy-proofing checklist

Before a Lab puppy comes home, I’d walk through the house at knee height, because that’s where the trouble lives. Here’s what I’d move, cover or lock away:

• Shoes, socks and laundry baskets
• Electrical cables, phone chargers and remote controls
• Kids’ toys, especially small pieces
• Trash cans and recycling, ideally behind a cabinet door
• Houseplants, some of which are toxic to dogs
• Medications, purses and backpacks with snacks inside

Backpacks and handbags are the sneaky one. Labs can smell a granola bar through canvas, and sugar-free gum with xylitol is genuinely dangerous to dogs.

Dental chews and dental health

Chewing is good for teeth when it’s the right kind. Appropriate chews help scrape off plaque and keep gums healthy. I’ve looked at whether dental chews are a good option for Labs, and they can help, though nothing replaces brushing.

Count dental chews as calories. Labs gain weight easily, and some dental chews pack a surprising number of calories. Around age six, Buck started gaining weight even though his portions hadn’t changed, and treats are the first place I’d look for hidden calories.

Separation anxiety and chewing

If your Lab only destroys things when you’re out, take it seriously. Separation anxiety is a panic response, and it often comes with howling, drooling, pacing or accidents.

Here’s what I’d do:

1. Film your dog while you’re out, to see when and how it chews.
2. Build alone time slowly, starting with a few minutes.
3. Leave a stuffed, frozen chew toy as you go.
4. Keep departures and arrivals calm and boring.
5. Talk to your vet, who may recommend a veterinary behaviorist.

Don’t punish anxiety chewing. The dog isn’t misbehaving. It’s frightened, and punishment makes fear worse.

Signs your Lab’s chewing is improving

Progress is usually gradual. These are the signs I’d look for:

• The dog picks up its own toys more than household items
• It settles with a chew instead of wandering looking for trouble
• “Drop it” and “leave it” work most of the time
• Fewer things go missing when you’re not watching
• Alone time ends without damage

Expect setbacks during adolescence. A teenage Lab that was doing great can suddenly start chewing again around 8 to 12 months. Go back to more management and more exercise, and it usually passes.

When to get professional help

Get help if chewing is extreme, dangerous or not improving. A reward-based trainer can spot what’s driving the behavior and help you build a plan. The ASPCA has a good overview of destructive chewing and its causes. Your vet can rule out pain, hunger or anxiety, and a veterinary behaviorist can help with severe separation anxiety.

In my experience, most Lab chewing problems come down to too much energy and too much freedom too soon. Fix those two, and most dogs turn the corner. Based on my research, puppies given clear chew rules and enough exercise usually outgrow the worst of it by about 2 years old.

FAQ

My last word on Labrador chewing

A chewing Lab isn’t a bad dog. It’s a retriever with nothing better in its mouth. Give it the right toys, enough exercise and a few years to grow up, and the shoe-eating phase will become a story you laugh about.