Are Australian Shepherds Big Chewers? Complete Guide (2025)

This site is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through links.

Your Australian Shepherd is probably shredding your furniture, shoes, and anything else within reach. That’s not a personality flaw—it’s breed DNA at work. Australian Shepherds are built to herd livestock all day, and that drive translates into serious chewing power. Their strong jaws and tireless energy mean they chew longer and more intensely than many other breeds, turning your couch into their personal project if you’re not prepared.

The good news? Understanding why Aussies chew so much is the first step to redirecting that energy into healthier habits and protecting your home from becoming a chew toy graveyard.

Are Australian Shepherds Big Chewers?

Australian Shepherds are definitely big chewers, and it’s something you should expect if you’re bringing one home. Their strong jaws and intense drive to work mean they need something to do with their mouths, whether that’s a toy, a stick, or unfortunately, your furniture.

Understanding why they chew and how much is normal will help you manage the habit before it becomes a real problem in your house.

Natural Chewing Instincts in Aussies

If you’ve ever watched an Australian Shepherd demolish a toy or gnaw on furniture like it’s their life’s mission, you’re seeing their natural instincts at work. Aussies descend from herding dogs bred to work livestock for hours, which shaped their drive to chew and bite as part of their evolutionary origins.

This isn’t just random action—chewing aids their dental health by naturally cleaning teeth and strengthening jaws. For Australian Shepherds, chewing benefits extend beyond instinct; it’s how they explore their world and manage stress during their high-energy days.

Comparison With Other Dog Breeds

So how do Australian Shepherds stack up against other breeds? While Aussies rank high on the chewing scale, they’re not the most destructive—that title goes to Labradors and German Shepherds. What makes Aussies unique is their persistence. Unlike some breeds that chew out of anxiety, your Aussie chews because their working-dog brain demands engagement. Compared to Border Collies (similar size, less chewing) or Jack Russell Terriers (similar energy, shorter chewing spans), Aussies hit a middle ground—serious chewers driven by mental restlessness rather than pure jaw power. Understanding the breed comparison factors can help in managing their chewing behaviour.

• Labradors and German Shepherds outrank Aussies in destructive chewing intensity
• Border Collies show 10–15% less destructive chewing despite similar herding traits
• Jack Russell Terriers share high energy but usually outgrow chewing faster
• Working-breed heritage explains why Aussies chew longer than sedentary breeds like Bulldogs.

Why Do Australian Shepherds Chew So Much?

If you’ve got an Australian Shepherd, you’ve probably noticed they’re always ready to sink their teeth into something—and that’s not just a personality quirk. Your Aussie chews for real reasons, and understanding why is the first step to managing it.

The main culprits boil down to two things: they’ve got way too much energy packed into their muscular bodies, and they’re going through natural developmental stages that demand a lot of chewing.

High Energy and Boredom

That excess energy doesn’t vanish—it transforms into destructive chewing. Your Aussie needs consistent outlets through vigorous playtime activities and mental stimulation to prevent boredom from taking over. Without adequate exercise and engagement, your dog redirects that natural drive into your furniture and belongings.

Managing dog energy requires intentional planning: daily runs, fetch sessions, puzzle toys, and training work all channel that restless intensity productively. Recognize that destructive chewing in dogs often signals unmet exercise needs rather than defiance.

Energy Level	Exercise Needs	Mental Stimulation	Boredom Risk
High (Young Aussies)	2+ hours daily	Puzzle toys, training	Very High
Moderate (Adult)	1-2 hours daily	Regular challenges	Moderate
Aging	30-60 minutes daily	Light enrichment	Lower

Teething and Puppy Development

When puppies start losing their baby teeth around 3 to 5 months old, chewing shifts from a boredom issue into something more physical and instinctive. Their gums ache as new teeth push through, and chewing provides relief. This teething phase peaks around 4 to 6 months and generally resolves by 7 to 8 months.

During canine development, your Aussie puppy needs appropriate chew toys designed for sore gums. Without proper outlets, teething discomfort drives destructive chewing as puppies seek relief anywhere they can find it.

• Teething generally lasts 4 to 6 months, with peak discomfort around month 5
• Offer textured chew toys specifically designed to soothe aching gums
• Cold toys (frozen briefly) provide numbing relief during growth stages
• Puppy socialization should include teaching what’s acceptable to chew versus off-limits

Signs of Problematic Chewing in Aussies

Not all chewing is created equal, and knowing the difference between healthy teething and destructive conduct is vital for your Aussie’s wellbeing. Your Australian Shepherd might gnaw on a toy one moment and demolish your furniture the next, but certain warning signs tell you something’s gone wrong.

Below, we’ll walk you through what problematic chewing looks like and what it might mean for your dog’s health.

Destructive Vs. Healthy Chewing

Not all chewing is created equal—and knowing the difference between normal gnawing and destructive conduct is what separates a content pup from one tearing apart your couch.

Healthy chewing keeps your Aussie’s dental health sharp and satisfies natural canine instincts. Destructive conduct, though, signals something’s off—usually boredom or anxiety. Your dog chews everything indiscriminately, targets furniture and shoes, or shows signs of stress.

That’s when durable chew toys and increased mental stimulation become essential. The key? Redirect those powerful jaws toward appropriate toys while addressing the root cause through exercise and training.

Common Household Items Targeted

If your Aussie’s favorite pastime is turning your home into a chew toy graveyard, you’re not alone—and knowing what usually ends up in their crosshairs can help you protect what matters.

Australian Shepherds target furniture legs and cushions, shoes and socks, baseboards and wall corners, cabinet corners, and door frames with relentless intensity. They’ll also go after carpet, especially near edges, and gnaw on walls.

Understanding these patterns helps you redirect their chewing energy before your home becomes collateral damage.

Health Risks From Excessive Chewing

The reality is sobering: your Aussie’s destructive chewing creates genuine health threats. Dental damage happens fast—up to 26% of tooth fractures come from hard objects, affecting their ability to eat properly. Gastrointestinal issues follow when they swallow non-digestible pieces, potentially requiring surgery. Toxic ingestion from contaminated chews or harmful household items can trigger poisoning symptoms within 30-45 minutes. Choking hazards from broken toy fragments demand immediate intervention. Oral infections develop when bacteria enter damaged gums, complicating recovery.

That’s why redirecting this chewing habit isn’t just about saving your furniture—it’s about keeping your Aussie healthy and thriving. Regular dental checkups can help identify signs of a fractured tooth through dental health checks.

How to Manage Chewing Behavior

The good news is that you don’t have to accept destructive chewing as a permanent part of life with your Aussie. There are proven strategies that work, and most involve giving your dog the right outlets for their natural instincts.

Here’s what actually has an impact.

Providing Durable Chew Toys

Your Australian Shepherd’s teeth and gums need a workout just as much as her muscles do, and the right chew toys can make all the difference. Look for durable chew toy materials built to withstand power jaws:

1. Durable rubber toys — flexible, long-lasting, and designed to clean teeth while she gnaws
2. Nylon chews — tough alternatives that satisfy intense chewing without splintering
3. Textured surfaces — grooves that massage gums and promote dental health
4. Pet-safe products — always verify materials won’t splinter or cause intestinal blockages
5. Interactive puzzle toys — combine chewing with mental engagement to keep her occupied longer

Rotate toys regularly to prevent boredom, and supervise until you’re confident she won’t destroy them. Quality matters here—cheap toys fall apart fast and become choking hazards.

Mental Stimulation and Puzzle Toys

Think of it this way: a tired dog is a well-behaved dog, and puzzle toys are like hitting two birds with one stone. These interactive games challenge your Aussie’s brain while satisfying her need to chew and problem-solve.

Puzzle toys with hidden treats force her to figure things out, keeping her mentally engaged for longer stretches. This brain stimulation reduces boredom-driven chewing and channels her intelligence productively.

Try rotating different puzzle toys to maintain novelty and sustained interest in this rewarding form of canine enrichment.

Physical Exercise to Reduce Chewing

Here’s the reality: all that mental stimulation means nothing if your Aussie’s body still has untapped energy to burn. Australian Shepherds need serious physical exercise—think fetch sessions, long walks, or agility work. Without adequate physical stimulation, even the best puzzle toys won’t stop destructive chewing.

Mental stimulation falls flat if your Aussie’s body still burns with untapped energy—serious physical exercise is what stops destructive chewing

Aim for at least an hour of active playtime daily. Tired dogs simply chew less because they’re too exhausted to cause trouble.

Professional Training and Behavior Modification

Sometimes exercise and toys alone aren’t enough to break the cycle. That’s where professional training and conduct modification come in. A certified trainer can identify what’s actually triggering your Aussie’s chewing—whether it’s anxiety, boredom, or something else entirely—and create a personalized plan suited to your situation.

Dogs receiving structured intervention plans show up to 60% reduction in destructive chewing within two months. The key is consistency—minimum three sessions weekly yield the best results. Most importantly, a trainer helps you understand your individual dog rather than applying generic fixes.

Tips for Preventing Destructive Chewing

The good news is that you don’t have to wait for your Australian Shepherd to outgrow destructive chewing on their own—there are real steps you can take right now to prevent it.

The key is combining proactive strategies with patience and consistency. Here’s what actually works for most Aussie owners.

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Before you bring an Australian Shepherd puppy home, think of your house as a treasure trove of temptations just waiting to be discovered and destroyed. Start by securing valuables and removing anything small enough to swallow. Stash electrical cords behind furniture or protective covers to prevent dangerous chewing. Store toxic substances like cleaners and plants safely out of reach—even locked cabinets work.

Create safe zones where your pup can chew freely without getting into trouble. Supervise closely during puppy training and care, especially when introducing new areas. This proactive approach to pet safety and dog health sets your Australian Shepherd up for success.

Establishing Consistent Routines

Once you’ve got your puppy’s environment locked down, the next key factor is giving her a predictable daily rhythm—Australian Shepherds thrive on knowing what comes next.

Structure matters for these smart, energetic dogs. When you establish consistent daily schedules and routine training, you’re fundamentally telling Zoe’s brain: "Here’s what to expect." This predictability reduces anxiety and gives her appropriate outlets for her natural drive to work.

Aussies with clear routines show less destructive chewing because they know when play happens, when she’ll get your attention, and when calm time arrives. Consistency transforms her energy into cooperation.

Positive Reinforcement Techniques

When your Aussie already knows what to expect from her day, rewards become even more powerful—they’re the highlight she’s been waiting for. That’s where clicker methods and reward-based training shine. Click the moment she chews her toy instead of your couch, then give her a treat. This positive reinforcement teaches her brain that good choices earn praise.

Consistency with these dog obedience techniques transforms conduct modification into something she actually wants. Mental stimulation through training sessions keeps her engaged, preventing the boredom that fuels destructive chewing in Australian Shepherds.

Addressing Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is the sneaky culprit behind a lot of destructive chewing, and it might be happening without you even realizing it. When your Aussie panics about being alone, she’ll chew to self-soothe—it’s her way of managing the stress.

Start with gradual crate training to build confidence, and try dog appeasement pheromones to ease anxiety triggers. Practice short departures so she learns you’ll return.

Calming techniques like puzzle toys stuffed with treats give her something to focus on, turning separation stress into relaxation methods that actually work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)