You are sitting three feet away when your dog starts working at the corner of a chair. They are not necessarily trying to get a reaction. Chewing can be satisfying, a way to settle, or a response to boredom or frustration. The pattern around it matters.
If the chewing has started suddenly, includes swallowing wood or fabric, or comes with appetite, dental, or other health changes, ask your veterinarian for advice. Pieces of furniture can injure the mouth or block the gut. Suspected swallowing of a large or sharp piece needs prompt veterinary guidance.
Make the right thing easy to find
Block access to the damaged furniture when you cannot supervise. Offer safe, appropriately sized chews or toys your dog enjoys, and watch how they use them. Some dogs tear pieces off and swallow them, so choose with your veterinarian if you are unsure what is safe. Reward your dog when they choose their own chew, don't wait until they start on the chair to bring it out.
Notice the time. Does chewing start when a walk is delayed, when you begin a call, or after a noisy event outside? Offer a sniffing game or food puzzle before the usual chewing moment. Give your dog daily movement and rest that fit their age and health. If your dog chews only when left alone, look for other signs of distress and consider a different plan rather than treating it as the same problem.
Avoid shouting after discovering damage. The chair may need a barrier for weeks while the new routine gets stronger. A dog who can settle with an approved chew beside you is doing the thing you wanted all along. If unmet activity is part of the pattern, see the high-energy dog activities guide for more outlets, protect furniture and check for distress or health changes first
Sources: ASPCA: Destructive Chewing. Dogs Trust: Destructive behaviour in dogs.