You’re finally back home from work, your lovely pooch is greeting you eagerly at the door, and it seems that everything is in perfect order – until you attempt to turn on the TV, that is. As soon as you spot the chewed cords peeking behind the shelf, glance over at Fido, he immediately scuttles away under the table, with his tail tucked in, and his finest puppy eyes ready to woo you into forgiveness. So many dogs stress-chew all kinds of stuff around the house, but when it comes to cords and cables, suffice it to say that it’s not the safest option out there.

In order to protect your fluffy friend and to prevent cord-related issues around the house, you can implement a few smart strategies that will help you train your doggo and come home to a spotless apartment no matter what. 

How to keep dogs from chewing cords

Offer fun chew toys as substitutes 

If you’re dealing with a young pupperino whose zeal for chewing won’t be reduced even when you’re around to correct the behavior, then it most likely means that the furry pal of yours isn’t getting enough exercise, needs more stimulation, or he is losing his puppy teeth. Whatever may be the cause of this conundrum, you should consider adding a few more play sessions outside to tire the little rascal out properly. That alone is often more than enough to get him to doze off for a few hours while you’re away.

Just in case your canine companion wakes up, make sure she has plenty of fun, engaging chew toys at her disposal. Different textures are more than enough to keep her palate intrigued, and adding hidden treats can turn it into a game, while squeaky toys are a godsend for such situations (unless the neighbors would complain).

Reduce the number of cords around

In addition to those tasty and fun alternatives, you should still be very smart with how you treat your cables and cords around the house, since your curious canine might just be inquisitive when you go out and ready to destroy another digital gimmick with a high price tag. So, to make sure you’re on the safe side, keep cords to a minimum. 

For example, a simple way to do that would be to use an internet fiber box for a strong Wi-Fi connection that will allow you to access the World Wide Web sans the redundant cables. Additionally, you can pick from a slew of wireless chargers, headphones, and other gadgets that can help you remove too many cables from your home. That’s one of the simplest ways to reduce temptation for your pup.

Protect the cables and cords

Alas, we rely on technology every step of the way, which means that you simply need at least some electrical cords in your home, whether it’s for the TV, or for the many appliances you use almost on a daily basis. To make sure these must-haves are dog-proof, use gates, covering materials such as tape, and even pipes if necessary to limit their access.

Covering the cords with furniture and other objects is another helpful way to keep cables away from your pet’s persistent teeth, while unplugging and storing your appliances such as your hairdryer and coffee maker can help with added layers of prevention. 

Try spraying the cords 

Although the dog always gets blamed, we can safely say that the cat isn’t always so innocent, either. Chances are that your purrfect kitten also likes to nibble on cables around your home, and their little paws and claws are almost impossible to prevent from reaching even the most inaccessible spots. Enter: a deterrent spray with a foul taste or fragrance that will keep even the most purrsistent kitten at bay.

Most often, all you need is some fresh lemon to rub the wires and the cables, and you’ll be good to go – no pet enjoys the pungent citrusy taste, so they’ll likely stay away. Alternatively, you can find store-bought varieties, but use them in your presence just to make sure your cat doesn’t get an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients. 

The safety of your pet always comes first, but you also want to spend your money on treats rather than constant wiring repairs. Use these tips and monitor your pet’s behavior to make sure you can correct it sooner rather than later, help them deal with separation anxiety in appropriate ways, and you’ll soon have a home in which cables and cords are always welcome and free of chew-marks!