How to Stop a Mastiff From Chewing Everything
Mastiffs are gentle giants with a calm, dignified temperament, but their size and strength make destructive chewing a serious concern. Unlike high-energy breeds, destructive chewing in Mastiffs often stems from boredom, anxiety, or simply exploring their environment with their mouths—a common challenge for this breed. With moderate trainability (3/5) and low exercise needs (45 minutes daily), Mastiffs respond best to patient, consistent, positive-reinforcement methods rather than punishment. This guide will help you redirect your Mastiff's natural chewing instinct toward appropriate outlets, protect your belongings, and build good habits that stick. The key is combining environmental management, proper exercise, and rewarding alternative behaviors.
Step-by-step
- 1
Identify Triggers and Remove Temptations
Observe when your Mastiff chews most (boredom, anxiety, after meals) and remove access to prohibited items like shoes, furniture corners, and cables. Given Mastiffs' natural mouthing tendency, securing your environment prevents bad habits from forming while you teach alternatives. Store tempting items out of reach and use baby gates to limit access to high-risk rooms.
- 2
Establish a Daily Exercise Routine
Provide your Mastiff with their recommended 45 minutes of daily exercise through walks, gentle play, or swimming to reduce pent-up energy that fuels destructive behavior. Mastiffs have low energy levels, so even modest consistent activity significantly reduces problem chewing. A tired Mastiff is far less likely to develop destructive habits.
- 3
Introduce Approved Chew Toys and Rotate Them
Offer durable, appropriately-sized chew toys (Kong Extremes, Nylabone, rope toys) and introduce them with enthusiasm and praise. Rotate toys every few days to maintain novelty and interest without requiring high energy or constant engagement. This redirects the Mastiff's natural chewing drive toward safe, acceptable outlets.
- 4
Reward Chewing the Right Objects
When you catch your Mastiff chewing an approved toy, immediately praise and reward with treats or affection to reinforce the behavior. Mastiffs respond well to positive reinforcement and will naturally gravitate toward objects that earn them attention and rewards. Consistency is crucial—reward every instance you notice at first to build a strong habit.
- 5
Interrupt and Redirect Unwanted Chewing
If your Mastiff begins chewing something prohibited, calmly interrupt with a simple word like 'leave it' and immediately redirect to an approved chew toy, then reward. Mastiffs' even temperament means they respond well to calm redirection rather than harsh corrections. Never punish after the fact, as they won't make the connection.
- 6
Address Anxiety and Mouthing Through Engagement
If chewing intensifies when you leave or during storms, your Mastiff may have separation anxiety or stress; increase calm interaction, consider puzzle toys, and never punish. Mastiffs are good-natured and bond closely with owners, so isolation intensifies problem behavior. Gradual desensitization and puzzle feeders help keep their minds engaged.
Pro tips
- Mastiffs love to lean and mouth their owners as a sign of affection—redirect this to approved toys and praise the behavior, turning a natural challenge into bonding time.
- Freeze a wet Kong or stuff a puzzle toy with peanut butter and freeze it for 2–3 hours; the extended engagement keeps your Mastiff's mind occupied and limits destructive chewing.
- Mastiffs' stubbornness means consistency is everything—ensure all family members use the same cues ('leave it,' 'chew toy') and reward protocol so your dog doesn't get mixed signals.
Frequently asked questions
My Mastiff is 8 months old and still chews constantly. Is this normal?+
Yes, adolescent Mastiffs explore their world through mouthing and chewing, especially during teething. This phase is temporary but requires consistent management and redirection. Ensure they have appropriate outlets, plenty of approved chew toys, and don't punish—stay patient and reinforce good behavior instead.
Will punishment like scolding or crate time stop the chewing?+
No. Mastiffs have moderate trainability and respond poorly to punishment-based methods; punishment often increases anxiety and destructive behavior. Positive reinforcement—rewarding good choices and calmly redirecting bad ones—is far more effective with this dignified breed's temperament.
How long will it take to see improvement?+
Most owners see noticeable progress within 2–4 weeks with consistent redirection and reward, though building rock-solid habits typically takes 8–12 weeks. Mastiffs are calm and deliberate learners, so patience and consistency matter more than speed. Every dog is different, but staying the course pays off.
My Mastiff only chews when I leave the house. What's happening?+
This suggests separation anxiety or boredom during alone time. Mastiffs bond closely and can become anxious when isolated. Start with short departures, use puzzle toys or long-lasting chews while you're gone, and gradually build their confidence. If severe, consult a veterinary behaviorist.