Foundation Camp
A 21-day board-and-train that builds solid obedience and manners, the right fit for milder issues.
Dog Behavior Solutions
Come Home Without Bracing for Damage
Chewed furniture and doorframes are expensive, but the bigger concern is what the behavior says about your dog's needs and safety. Partners Dogs helps you identify the cause and build a home routine that brings relief.
Behavior severity
MildWhat you may be seeing
Common signs
- Chewing furniture, shoes, rugs, walls, or household objects
- Seeking objects when bored, unsupervised, or overexcited
- Repeatedly choosing human belongings over available dog chews
- Damage that occurs mainly during predictable parts of the day
- Difficulty settling without close supervision
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- Swallowing fabric, wood, plastic, batteries, medication, or toxic material
- Broken teeth, bleeding, choking, vomiting, or signs of an obstruction
- Frantic damage near exits or chewing that causes self-injury
- Sudden onset, especially with appetite or pain changes, which warrants a veterinary check
Mild is a starting point for planning, not a diagnosis. Possible poisoning, obstruction, dental injury, or panic-related self-injury needs prompt veterinary or in-person help.
Understanding the behavior
What is destructive chewing?
Chewing is normal. Destructive chewing becomes a problem when a dog targets unsafe or costly items, cannot settle, or chews as part of panic when alone. Boredom, teething, insufficient outlets, anxiety, pain, and access to rewarding objects can all contribute.
A useful plan combines prevention with an appropriate outlet. Safe confinement, dog-proofing, activity, and suitable chew items protect the dog while training builds better choices. Damage near exits, vocal distress, or frantic behavior during absences may point to separation anxiety rather than a simple manners problem.
The goal is a dog who can settle and choose safe items, not a house that must remain empty forever. Many dogs improve with consistent management and training. Progress varies with age, cause, environment, and follow-through.
Partners Dogs has trained Arizona dogs through every kind of destructive chewing case since 1997, at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek facilities. Lifetime trainer support is included with every board-and-train program.
The transformation
Before and after training
Drag the slider to see the change our programs make for a dog with destructive chewing. Same dog, same home, real outcome.
Watch
How we work on destructive chewing
Short walkthroughs from our trainers on the exact techniques we use to resolve destructive chewing. See how the work actually looks, then choose the path that fits your dog.
70,000+Dogs Trained
28+Years Experience
4.8★Average Rating
2Arizona Campuses
Recommended path · Mild severity
The right program for destructive chewing
Based on how destructive chewing typically presents, here is where we would start. Not sure which fits? Take the PD360 assessment for a personalized recommendation.
Group Classes
Weekly Pet Parenting classes with our trainers, practice in a structured social environment.
The process
How it works
Assessment and check-in
- We verify vaccination records and complete pre-check-in forms.
- Your dog receives a full behavioral assessment.
- We set goals and build a personalized training plan.
- You meet the primary trainer and tour the facility.
Training and progress reports
- Multiple active training sessions every day.
- Controlled exposure and desensitization to triggers.
- Immersive socialization in a managed environment.
- Regular progress reports with photos and video.
Transition and follow-up
- Private lessons that transfer the training to you.
- Pet Parenting group classes for ongoing support.
- Access to our full Pet Parent Guide.
- Weeks of follow-up so the change lasts at home.
Not sure which program
Get a recommendation in minutes
Take our quick PD360 assessment for a personalized recommendation, or talk to a trainer who has seen destructive chewing many times before.
What our clients say
“"Theo destroyed a couch, two pairs of shoes, half a door frame, and a vintage rug in the first year we had him. We did Foundation Camp and I could not believe the difference. He came home and just... stopped. He knows what to chew now. He's calm. I wish I hadn't waited so long."”
“"My rescue was chewing through everything when I left for work. I'd come home and it was like a tornado had gone through. The Partners team figured out quickly that it was anxiety-driven, not just bad behavior. Behavior Camp changed everything for her and for me."”
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can destructive chewing be improved?
In most cases, yes. With a structured plan and steady follow-through, destructive chewing usually improves and becomes much more manageable. How far and how fast depends on the dog and the household, and severe cases start with an in-person assessment.
How long does it take to see change?
Many dogs show early progress in the first weeks of a program, though the timeline varies with the behavior and the dog. The lasting value is in the follow-up: private lessons and group classes help the change hold at home over time.
What if my dog has more than one issue?
That is very common. During the assessment we identify every area of concern and build one plan that works on them together, rather than treating each in isolation.
Is professional training worth the cost?
It is an investment in daily life for you and your dog. Our board-and-train programs include weeks of follow-up, private lessons, and group classes so the results last, and financing is available up to 36 months.
When can we get started?
Right away. Schedule a call or take the PD360 assessment online and we will find the best time to begin, starting with a clear look at your dog's destructive chewing.
Related behaviors
Dogs with destructive chewing often show these patterns too. Explore the behaviors below. We treat them all.
Ready for the next step
Talk to a trainer now
Every dog and household is different. Get a real conversation with a Partners Dogs trainer who has treated destructive chewing for more than 28 years. No pressure, just guidance on your dog's best path forward.