So you walk into your bedroom and find yet another chunk missing from the corner of your bed.
Your dog’s looking at you like,
“What? It was sticking out weird.”
Chewing bed corners seems to be a favorite hobby of bored or anxious dogs everywhere. But don’t worry—you don’t have to choose between your dog and your furniture. You can stop this behavior without wrapping your bed in bubble wrap.
Here’s how to outsmart your little interior designer.
🐶 First, Why Is Your Dog Doing This?
Before we fix it, let’s figure out why your dog’s treating your bed like a giant chew toy:
- Boredom – “There’s nothing to do, so I guess I’ll destroy this rectangle thing.”
- Teething – If your dog’s a puppy, those tiny teeth are on a mission.
- Separation anxiety – They miss you, so they chew your stuff. Rude, but kind of sweet?
- Lack of chew alternatives – If your bed’s the only “fun” thing around, guess what becomes the favorite.
- Your bed smells like YOU – And some dogs want to chew the thing that smells like their favorite person. Awww… but no.
🔧 How to Fix the Bed-Chewing Madness
1. Block Off the Bed
Let’s start simple: stop giving them free access to the scene of the crime.
- Use a baby gate or close the bedroom door.
- Crate your dog when you’re not home (if they’re crate-trained).
- Or flip the mattress vertically like a crime scene investigation (okay, maybe not every day).
2. Give Them Better Things to Chew
If your bed corner is the Beyoncé of chew targets, you need some solid backup dancers.
- Tough chew toys (like KONGs, Benebones, or Nylabones)
- Frozen carrots or ice cubes (especially for teething puppies)
- Puzzle toys to keep their brain busy while you’re gone
Rotate toys every few days so they don’t get bored and return to the corners of doom.
3. Use a Dog-Safe No-Chew Spray
There are sprays you can apply to your bed corners that taste awful (to dogs, not you).
Think bitter apple, lemon, or vinegar-based.
Spray a small test patch first to make sure it doesn’t stain or ruin fabric/wood. Then let the taste test begin—your dog probably won’t be thrilled.
Important: Don’t use cayenne or hot sauce. It can irritate their nose or eyes.
4. Exercise = Fewer Bed Snacks
A tired dog is a good dog. Or at least, a less-destructive dog.
- Walk them more (or longer)
- Play fetch like it’s the Super Bowl
- Set up an obstacle course in your hallway if the weather’s bad
Less energy = fewer “creative” projects, like gnawing your furniture.
5. Train a “Leave It” or “No Chew” Command
Catch them in the act? Calmly say “Leave it” and redirect them to a toy.
When they chew the right thing, praise them like they just discovered fire.
Repetition and consistency = success. Eventually, they’ll understand:
“Ohhh, THIS toy is chew-approved. Got it.”
🛏 What NOT to Do
- Don’t yell or punish after the fact. If the chewing happened hours ago, they won’t connect your scolding with the crime.
- Don’t give them old shoes/furniture to chew. That just confuses them. “This chair leg = yes, that chair leg = no?” Too tricky.
- Don’t ignore the issue. It won’t fix itself. And you’ll be shopping for a new bed frame on a monthly basis.
🐕 Final Thoughts: Save the Bed, Save Your Sanity
Stopping your dog from chewing bed corners is totally doable—with a combo of prevention, better chew toys, and a little training. Be patient and consistent, and you’ll win this battle.
Soon your dog will forget your bed corners ever looked like delicious little snacks.
And you’ll sleep soundly… on a bed that no longer looks like it was attacked by termites with paws.
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