How To Stop A Dog From Chewing On Metal Crate (6 Ways To Try)

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Summary Quick

The proper way to stop a dog from chewing on metal crate is to firmly say “No” to your dog. As soon as he stops, let him know he did the desired behavior by rewarding him with treats and praises.
Boredom, lack of exercise, separation anxiety, and not enough stimulation can lead a dog to crate chewing.
Make your dog’s crate a comfortable and relaxing space by adding a dog bed and toys to keep him busy.

If you’re wondering how to stop a dog from chewing on metal crate, the proper way is to correct him by saying “no” in a firm tone and then immediately giving reward as soon as he stops. I also suggest to find out why he has the habit of chewing and then addressing the issue.

Putting your dog in a metal crate at bedtime or when you leave the house is a common theme among pet parents. By choosing to place your dog in a crate, you are trying to protect your home from damage. However, one of the problems your puppy faces is being left alone in her crate for long periods—but even adult dogs may display this. Most pups display a destructive behavior as a result—chewing on the crate. Read more of my guide to understand why dogs do this and the different ways to solve the problem.

Why Does Your Dog Chew on Her Crate?

If you arrive home to find your dog out of her crate, you will want to find answers as quickly as possible. A quick examination of her crate will reveal she has been chewing on the metal bars to find an escape route.

After you have determined your dog escaped her crate by chewing through the bars, you should take some steps to rectify the problem. Understanding why dogs chew excessively will help you to stop them from doing so in the future. Separation anxiety is a problem most dogs suffer from, with some taking the problem to an extreme level. Training an older dog to spend time in a crate for the first time can cause high levels of stress and anxiety. Other reasons why your dog is chewing through the metal bars include:

Boredom
A lack of exercise
Not enough stimulation
Separation anxiety

If you cannot quite figure out what’s causing your pup to do such destructive behavior, it wouldn’t hurt to get the help of a professional trainer or even an animal behaviorist.

Provide Plenty of Edible Dog Chews

You have arrived home and found your dog chewed through his metal crate. Looking around, you will notice she has nothing else to chew in her dog crate than the metal bars. Your dog will appreciate a few edible dogs chews to keep her entertained when locked inside. Dog owners worry about providing edible dog chews, but these can keep your pet entertained in her crate. Bones and pork products are popular options for dog owners to keep their dogs entertained in their crates.

Provide Toys

Dogs are very much like children, in need of constant stimulation. Edible dog chews are popular but have their drawbacks. Pet parents usually want to control the diet of their dogs to keep them healthy. If you want to avoid an obese dog, you can give her rubber and plastic toys when she is locked in her crate. Rubber toys can be enjoyed for hours on end—make sure you give the best indestructible dog toy if Fido is a powerful chewer. Many dogs become attached to a single toy and feel comforted when it is around. If your dog is a teething puppy chewing on the metal bars for comfort, frozen toys are an impressive way to keep her chewing under control.

Exercise Regularly

A chewing dog is often a bored dog. If your dog has become destructive, they will show this in several ways. Alongside chewing the metal bars of their cage, your dog will destroy items around your home. Boredom is a problem for all dog owners, particularly those who are busy in their daily lives. Your dog requires plenty of exercises, no matter what size they are [1]. Even small breeds need to enjoy a walk with their owner or a visit to the dog park to stay mentally active.

A regular walk is a good idea for pet parents asking a dog from chewing on a metal crate? A regular walk will keep your dog mentally and physically active to improve her mood and happiness levels. A regularly walked dog is a dog who will be too tired to cause a lot of damage to your home. When it comes to boredom, a simple solution is more often than not is giving your dog more exercise.

Dog Training

This may seem like an obvious answer but train your dog not to chew on her crate. Just like with training everything from basic obedience to dealing with a dog with a biting habit, positive reinforcement is one of the training tools shown to have a positive impact on problem behavior. Offer praise and treats for her good behavior when she is close to her crate and not chewing. Command your dog to stop chewing when you see her indulge in this behavior. After stopping the bad behavior provide a chew toy to redirect her away from the bars of her crate.

Training a dog can be a difficult task to undertake. If your training is not having the desired effect contact a professional for assistance.

Chewing Deterrents

Chewing is a natural action for dogs. Your dog will chew on toys and bones to keep her teeth clean. Chewing is an action we encourage for better canine health. Destructive chewing can cause problems for you and your property. Sprays are available that will act as chewing deterrents. Spraying a bitter liquid will be enough to stop your dog from chewing on the bars of her crate. Over-the-counter deterrent sprays are safe for you to use with your dog. If you want to make your deterrent sprays, you need to make sure the ingredients are safe for your dog to swallow.

Change the Crate

There are different types of metal crates on the market. The metal options include thin bars and heavy steel options. Choosing the best dog crate should be based on several factors, including:

size
weight
behavior

A flimsy metal crate will hold a small breed dog. Larger breeds will need a heavy gauge metal bar to stop them from breaking free. A large dog will need a crate with steel bars to keep her from chewing through to freedom. Even small breeds can benefit from the use of a large crate when they are persistent in their chewing. A pet owner may also find solution in an anxiety dog mat.

FAQs

1. Why does my dog chew on metal?

There are several possible reasons for your dog chewing on metal. Puppies chew on the metal bars of their crate to limit the pain they feel when they are teething. Another reason for persistent chewing is a lack of exercise. Dogs are social animals who like to operate as part of a larger pack. By locking your dog up in a crate they often feel anxiety and separation issues.

2. How do I stop my dog from destroying his crate?

Distractions are a good option for avoiding the problems of a destroyed crate. A metal crate can be saved by providing your dog with distractions. Dog chews and toys will help your dog remain active in the crate. Staying active with plenty of exercises is the best way of limiting the amount of chewing on your dog’s crate.

3. Why does my puppy chew on her metal crate?

Teething is a common cause of dogs chewing on the metal bars of their crate. By providing frozen chew toys you will limit the amount of chewing on the crate.