Lab Puppy Gnawing On The Coffee Table Like A Chew Toy Is The Epitome Of Unbothered
We love our fur babies, even when they get into puppy shenanigans. But that doesn't mean we want to see them get into trouble — no matter how cute puppies being troublemakers might be! One black lab puppy, for example, was seen gnawing on coffee table furniture like a chew toy in a now viral TikTok, and his owner definitely didn't love that — especially when he seemed incredibly unbothered while doing it.
@megandmurph Coffee tables are actually the new dog toy
Forget chew toys, there's a more fun pastime in town: table chewing. Or at least that's what this lab puppy seemed to think in the 16-second clip. His paw-rent is not so on board. She continues to grab at his jaw as the black lab puppy gnaws away at a coffee table, but her efforts are in vain, because this pupper is the epitome of unbothered. He goes right back to chewing the second she moves, and even paws her away to continue.
An overwhelming array of concerned viewers sounded off in the comment section offering advice about teething pups. One viewer recommended replacing the table with something else. "He thinks you're playing. So you're actually encouraging his behavior," said another person. Many others agreed, saying that teething requires a different response from pet parents to stop unwanted chewing.
Why do puppies chew on on random things?
It's true, this pup might be teething, which is a very normal part of any pup's development. But what's with this puppy's chewing on furniture, in particular? And what's the best way to manage a dog's teething phase? Cuteness spoke exclusively with VSA-certified dog trainer and behavioral specialist Amelia Steele to get some answers.
There are a few reasons puppies might bite at things like coffee tables. For one, "Puppies don't have hands; so their instinctual way of understanding the world around them is to grab things in their mouth," says Amelia. Also, chewing can alleviate pain pups may feel while teething. It's important not to punish this behavior. Amelia shares, "The best way to deal with unwanted chewing is to first provide things your dog can (and wants to) chew on."
Amelia recommends offering things like tasty natural chews to help reinforce chewing on the right things. Also, teething toys for puppies can be useful. Alternatively, grabbing your dog's face to stop unwanted chewing can have negative effects and possibly lead to aggression. "If they learn that hands near their face equals pain, they will soon learn that hands are not safe," Amelia says. Overall, Amelia urges puppy parents to have patience. "We have to remember that they are babies experiencing the world for the first time. Gentle guidance is the key to raising a happy, confident dog."