Preventing a dog from chewing on things can be a challenge, especially for puppies and younger dogs who are naturally inclined to explore and play with their mouths. However, there are several strategies that you can use to discourage this behavior and redirect your dog’s attention to more appropriate chew toys.

1. Provide appropriate chew toys: Offer your dog a variety of chew toys that are designed specifically for their chewing needs and preferences. For example, some dogs prefer soft, plush toys while others prefer harder, rubber toys. Rotating the toys regularly can help keep your dog interested and motivated to chew on them.
2. Exercise and mental stimulation: Regular exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce a dog’s desire to chew on things. Long walks, playing fetch, and obedience training can all help provide physical exercise, while interactive toys and puzzles can help with mental stimulation.
3. Supervise your dog: When you’re not able to supervise your dog, keep them in a safe and secure area where they cannot access anything that they should not chew on. If your dog is a puppy, it is especially important to keep an eye on them and discourage any chewing on inappropriate objects.
4. Training and positive reinforcement: Consistent training and positive reinforcement can help your dog understand what behavior is expected of them. When you catch your dog chewing on something they shouldn’t, interrupt them with a loud noise (such as a clap or whistle), and immediately give them a chew toy. When they start chewing on the toy, reward them with praise and treats. This helps reinforce that chewing on appropriate toys is what you want them to do.
5. Discourage chewing through negative reinforcement: If your dog is chewing on something they shouldn’t, you can try spraying the object with a bitter apple spray or lemon juice to discourage them from continuing. This works because dogs have a strong sense of taste and the unpleasant flavor will deter them from chewing on the object.
6. Manage the environment: Remove or secure any items that you don’t want your dog to chew on, such as shoes, remote controls, and other household items. If your dog is a persistent chewer, you may need to rearrange your home to make certain items less accessible.

In conclusion, preventing a dog from chewing on things requires patience, persistence, and consistency. It’s important to remember that chewing is a natural behavior for dogs and providing them with appropriate chew toys and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce the desire to chew on other objects. By using a combination of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and environmental management, you can help your dog learn what is and is not acceptable to chew on.