How can I stop dogs from chewing my car?

I collected Rosco, a beautiful English Pointer, for his walk. Popped him in the back seat and clipped his lead to the centre seatbelt nice and secure (see more tips on how to secure dogs in cars here).

I drove to collect the next dog, left Rosco in the back seat and returned with dog number two in under three minutes. Rosco had managed, during those three minutes, to not only chew through his own lead but also the rear seatbelt webbing, and was happily sitting in the front passenger seat, tongue out and happy wagging his tail watching me walk back to the car.

Let’s take a look at some suggestions on how to stop your dogs from damaging your car, equipment or themselves by chewing your vehicle.

Crates

Crating the dogs in your care is by far the simplest and easiest solution to stop them from destroying or damaging your vehicle.

It restricts access to everything outside the crate so you just have to worry about what is inside the crate.

If you’ve got a chewer you’re best bet is taking off their lead and popping them in an empty crate. It feels mean but it’s the safest option if you think they might chew a towel, vet bedding or any other crate bottom liner you might use.

Barriers/Dividers/Guards

If you can’t get a crate in your vehicle then you might need to divide the car into sections. Then, the section with the least amount of opportunity for chewing can be used to transport the chewy dogs.

This is likely to be in the bootspace behind the rear seats. Be aware though that this is not entirely foolproof. I had a Beagle remove the rear interior light and chew through the wires.

Chewers will ultimately find something so take some time to look at the space and think like a dog! Interior lights can often be popped out, unplugged and kept in the glove box for a later date. You might find that the back f the rear seatbelts are accessible from the boot so be sure to tuck those away further forward too.

Stop chew spray

Stop chew sprays are designed to discourage dogs from chewing on objects such as furniture, shoes, or other household items. These sprays typically contain a bitter or unpleasant taste that is intended to deter dogs from mouthing or biting the sprayed surfaces. However, the effectiveness of stop chew sprays can vary from dog to dog, and there are several reasons why they may not work consistently:

1. Taste Preference: Dogs, like humans, have different taste preferences. What one dog finds bitter or unpleasant, another dog may not mind at all. Some dogs may even develop a tolerance to the taste over time, rendering the spray ineffective.
2. Habituation: Dogs are capable of habituating to certain smells, tastes, or sensations. If a dog is exposed to the stop chew spray repeatedly without any adverse consequences, they may become desensitized to its effects and continue chewing despite the spray.
3. Underlying Causes: Chewing behaviour in dogs can stem from various underlying causes, such as anxiety, boredom, teething, or dental issues. Stop chew sprays only address the symptom (chewing) and not the root cause. If the dog’s chewing behaviour is driven by factors other than taste, the spray may not effectively deter them.
4. Inconsistent Application: Stop chew sprays need to be applied consistently and evenly to the surfaces that the dog tends to chew. If the spray is applied haphazardly or misses certain areas, the dog may continue chewing on those untreated surfaces.
5. Lack of Association: Dogs learn through associations. If the spray is applied to objects that the dog is not actively chewing on or if the dog doesn’t connect the unpleasant taste with the spray, they may not make the connection and continue chewing regardless of the presence of the spray.
6. Reinforcement of Chewing Behavior: In some cases, the spray may inadvertently reinforce the chewing behavior. Some dogs may find the taste of the spray interesting or exciting, leading them to chew on the sprayed objects more frequently.

Chew Toys

Providing a chew toy doesn’t guarantee that your dog won’t chew on inappropriate objects like a car, but it can help redirect their chewing behaviour onto appropriate items. Here’s how it works:

1. Satisfying the Chewing Instinct: Dogs have a natural instinct to chew, which can be due to teething, boredom, or a need for oral stimulation. By providing a chew toy, you offer an acceptable and safe outlet for their chewing behavior. The toy should be made of a durable material, such as rubber or nylon, that is specifically designed for chewing and can withstand your dog’s chewing strength.
2. Redirection: When you catch your dog attempting to chew on the car or any other inappropriate object, you can redirect their attention to the chew toy. Offer the toy as an alternative and encourage them to chew on it instead. Praise and reward your dog when they choose to chew on the toy, reinforcing the desired behavior.
3. Mental and Physical Stimulation: Boredom is a common trigger for destructive chewing. Providing engaging chew toys can help keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated, reducing the likelihood of them seeking out other objects to chew on, such as the car. Look for interactive toys that dispense treats or puzzle toys that require problem-solving, as these can keep your dog occupied and entertained.
4. Taste Deterrent: Some chew toys are infused with flavors that dogs find appealing, which can further encourage them to focus their chewing on the toy. These toys can be particularly helpful if your dog is attracted to the taste or texture of the car’s surface.

While providing a chew toy is a useful strategy, it’s essential to combine it with other measures to prevent your dog from chewing on the car

Aluminium Foil

Normally this is suggested as a solution to keep cats off of worktops (Spoiler; it doesn’t work for cats either) but wrapping chewed items in foil only works the same way as the stop chew sprays and may, just like the sprays, accidentally make it worse.

Remember, it’s essential to address the underlying reasons for the chewing behaviour, such as anxiety, but the best solution to stop a dog chewing your car is to crate them during travel.

Should dogs travel with their leads attached?

Dogs shouldn’t travel with their leads attached, something I didn’t know as a newbie dog walker, and here’s why;

Safety hazards: In the event of sudden braking, a collision, or even a minor accident, a dog attached to a lead can be at risk of serious injury or strangulation. The lead can become tangled or caught on objects within the vehicle, leading to potential harm.

Choking or strangulation hazards: Dogs can inadvertently tangle themselves in the lead while moving or exploring the vehicle. This can lead to choking or strangulation, which is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.

And of course, they can choke on pieces of lead if they choose to chew it up!