Chewing, digging, jumping
How do I stop my dog chewing baseboards?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Baseboard chewing usually starts near a specific corner because of a draft, a smell, or boredom while alone in the room. Cover the section with a hard plastic corner guard, apply a bitter deterrent, and give your dog a long lasting chew activity whenever they are loose in that space unsupervised.
Why one spot gets targeted
Dogs often return to the exact same six inches of baseboard because a draft under the wall, old paint, or a smell from outside keeps drawing their nose there. Watch for a pattern: near a door, a vent, or an exterior wall is common.
Physical barriers that actually hold up
A hard plastic or metal corner guard screwed or glued over the damaged section stops teeth from finding purchase, unlike tape which peels within a day. Combine it with a bitter apple spray reapplied every two to three days on any exposed wood nearby.
Give the room a job for their mouth
If your dog is loose in that room without you, leave a frozen stuffed chew toy or a snuffle mat with a few pieces of kibble scattered in it. Fifteen minutes of that kind of activity covers the window when boredom chewing tends to start.
Key takeaways
- Chewing often clusters around one spot because of a draft or smell, not random destruction.
- Hard corner guards outlast tape or spray alone.
- Give the room a food based activity during unsupervised time in that space.