Training puppies at any task is a difficult thing to do. For one, their attention span is very short, bouncing from one item to another with great curiosity. Training puppies not to chew on certain items is even a more daunting task and requires ingenuity, fortitude and patience.
The Need to Chew
Puppies gain experience of the world by chewing on everything that comes their way. In this way, they learn what is food and what is not. Chewing also serves other purposes: cleaning teeth, massaging gums so they are healthy and to help adult teeth to replace the baby teeth.
This chewing is not problematic until a puppy chews on something that should not be chewed on, such as furniture, clothing, carpets, etc. A puppy must learn to distinguish what is chewable and what is not. Not chewing on an item should not be conveyed to the puppy through fear or intimidation. This will only result in a timid puppy or a very aggressive one. Kindness and positive reinforcement should be used with training puppies, in order to produce the desired results over time.
"Chewables"
Introduce items for the puppy to chew on first. This would include food (obviously), chew toys and bones (real and/or rawhide). Do not take these away as the puppy is chewing on them. This will only result in an aggressive dog trying to reclaim food. Dogs are competitive carnivores and so they are hardwired to eat meat and bones. They can become aggressive if they are deprived of food and bones. Remove any undesirable food or bones after they have left it behind.
Teach a puppy that if he obeys voice or hand commands that he will receive a treat. If you use the word treat, he will learn to respond to the word and do what is asked of him. This is important for the next step of learning NOT to do something. Remember, this will take time and patience. A puppy will not stop chewing on items with just one hour, one day or even one week of training. It is important also not to deviate in the training, because consistency is extremely important. This time with your puppy will also create a special bond that you will share for a lifetime.
"Non-Chewables"
This step will take longer and require more patience. Whenever a puppy chews on something that he is not supposed to, you must take it away and state with authority: "No." The word "No" must be stated in a firm voice but not an angry one. This will have to be repeated, but in time the puppy will comply and stop chewing on that particular item, especially if he senses that that is displeasing to you. Remember that puppies want to please their owners. They are pack animals and look to you as their pack leader. Sometimes an unpleasant spray or odor can be used to reinforce the "No." These are available at the pet store.
Whenever the puppy does stop chewing on an item after the word "No" is used, be sure to praise him in words and patting. Test a puppy by placing an item you do not want chewed on (but is dispensable if he does) in front of him. If he begins to chew on the item, state "No" and see his response. If he stops, reward him with a treat. If he continues to chew on the item, repeat "No." If he continues, take the item away while saying "No." Never use a hand to swat him. This will produce confusion as to when the hand is friendly or is punishing.