If you've brought home a Labrador puppy, there's a good chance you've already discovered their favourite hobby: chewing absolutely everything.
Shoes, furniture, garden hoses, children's toys and even walls can become targets for an energetic Labrador puppy.
While it can be frustrating, chewing is completely normal puppy behaviour. The good news is there are a few simple ways to manage it and help direct that chewing onto appropriate items instead.
Why Do Labrador Puppies Chew?
Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them.
Chewing can help:
- Relieve discomfort during teething
- Prevent boredom
- Release excess energy
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Provide mental stimulation
Labradors are an intelligent and active breed, which means they often need more engagement than many first-time owners expect.
Give Your Puppy Appropriate Chew Toys
One of the most effective ways to reduce destructive chewing is to make sure your puppy has legal alternatives available at all times.
Look for toys that are:
- Durable
- Puppy-safe
- Appropriate for their age and size
- Designed for chewing and teething
Having several different chew toys and rotating them regularly can help keep your puppy interested. Our Benebone Puppy Chew Toy Wishbone is a great starting point — flavoured, durable and designed specifically for puppies.
Use Food Enrichment
Many chewing problems are actually boredom problems.
Food enrichment products encourage puppies to work for their food and can keep them occupied for surprisingly long periods.
Popular options include:
- Treat-dispensing toys
- Slow feeders
- Puzzle toys
- Stuffable rubber toys
A mentally tired Labrador puppy is often much less interested in chewing your furniture.
Manage Their Environment
Puppies don't automatically know what they're allowed to chew.
If valuable items are within reach, many puppies will make their own decisions.
Simple management can make a huge difference:
- Put shoes away
- Keep children's toys off the floor
- Restrict access to certain areas when unsupervised
- Use crates or puppy pens appropriately
Good management helps prevent bad habits from developing in the first place.
Make Sure They're Getting Enough Exercise
Labrador puppies have plenty of energy.
While exercise should always be age-appropriate, regular walks, training sessions and play can help reduce unwanted behaviours that stem from excess energy.
Remember that mental exercise is often just as important as physical exercise.
Avoid Punishment
If you catch your puppy chewing something they shouldn't, calmly redirect them onto an appropriate chew toy.
Punishment can create confusion and stress without teaching your puppy what you'd actually like them to do.
Consistency is usually far more effective than correction.
Our Advice
Most Labrador puppies go through a chewing phase.
The owners who have the most success are usually those who focus on providing plenty of suitable alternatives, mental stimulation and supervision.
With patience and the right products, the majority of puppies grow out of destructive chewing as they mature.
In the meantime, investing in quality chew toys and enrichment products can help save both your furniture and your sanity. Our New Puppy Essentials Bundle is a great way to get started with everything your new puppy needs.
Written by Toby & Chantelle Webb
Toby and Chantelle Webb are the owners of Sumapark Labradors in Orange, NSW. Through years of raising Labrador Retrievers, they have helped countless puppy owners navigate the challenges of puppyhood using practical, real-world advice based on their experience with the breed.