How to stop a dog from chewing shoes

If you're wondering how to stop a dog from chewing shoes or ruining things in your absence, it's likely you've already made some mistakes in training your pet. In this article, we'll explain how to prevent such problems from arising in the first place, as well as give you tips on how to stop a dog of any age from chewing shoes.

Content

1 Why does a dog chew shoes?
2 How to keep your puppy away from your shoes
3 What you absolutely must not do
4 How to stop a dog from chewing shoes

Why does a dog chew shoes?

Owners of dogs of any breed can encounter this problem, and it can appear in puppyhood (up to 7 months) or much later. The manifestation of undesirable behavior is usually quite trivial: owners return home one day and notice that their dog has chewed up some shoes. These could be anything from house slippers to rather expensive, exclusive shoes (I think it's obvious to everyone that the dog doesn't understand that these items have slightly different values for you).

The reason why a dog chews shoes may be hidden in its physical or emotional state.

Reason #1 – Teething

During the active teething period, a puppy's teeth literally itch, making chewing on anything incredibly enjoyable. And it doesn't really matter what it chews on. It will chew with equal enthusiasm on anything it can find: special toys, a tree branch, a chair leg, or leather shoes.

That's why, if you don't want your beloved dog to chew on something expensive and valuable, try to simply hide from the puppy everything that you don't want him to get his teeth on.

To keep your baby occupied while you're away, buy him as many different gum-massaging toys as possible.

Reason #2 – loneliness and boredom

The owner's absence for a long time and the dog's inability to entertain itself are a combination that leads to unwanted behavior in young dogs.

If the first attempt to chew shoes was not stopped, and the dog concluded that this is an exciting and pleasant pastime, then at any convenient opportunity it will try to repeat this action.

Training a puppy is crucial, so from the first days of your pet's stay in the house, clearly set boundaries, practice obedience, and introduce your puppy to negative commands.

Reason #3 – Separation Anxiety

Another common reason why an adult dog chews on its owner's shoes is the animal's distress at the absence of a loved one. The dog fears that its owner is gone forever, becomes nervous, and searches for something that smells like its owner... and finds the shoe. Contrary to popular belief, dogs have no intention of ruining something precious to their owner; they simply relieve stress by chewing on it, not realizing that such behavior is wrong.

Reason #4 – Long-term stress

If an adult dog suddenly starts ruining shoes, then most likely this behavior is associated with severe stress that the animal is experiencing.

This condition may be a consequence of:

moving or a radical change in living environment (for example, renovating an apartment);
the appearance of a new pet or family member in the house (this could be either an adult or a baby);
prolonged absence, illness or death of the owner.

How to keep your puppy away from your shoes

If you have a pet in your home, you should first remember these simple, yet very effective tips from dog trainers:

Hide anything that can be chewed or that could pose a danger to the animal.
Never play with your dog using slippers, leather belts or other similar “toys”.
Don't give your dog old shoes to tear apart (a dog won't be able to tell the difference between an old, torn shoe and a new pair).
Offer your puppy a worthy alternative in the form of special toys or large beef bones.
Pay more attention to playing together and training so that during your absence, your dog sleeps most of the time, restoring its strength after an active walk.

What you absolutely must not do

Before we talk about what to do if your dog is chewing your shoes, let's figure out what you absolutely shouldn't do.

Naturally, it's hard to stay calm and composed when you return home to find your favorite boots, worth a month's salary, in a tattered state, but no matter what scene awaits you at home, remember:

The dog doesn't associate punishment with the action it previously committed. The lowering of the head and flattening of the ears, which many people mistake for "remorse," is actually nothing more than fear of the intimidating owner.
Don't hit the animal, yell at it, or nuzzle it in the chewed shoe. It doesn't work; the dog doesn't establish cause-and-effect relationships through such actions; it simply perceives them as unprovoked aggression on your part.
A dog doesn't ruin shoes "on purpose" or "out of spite." Find and eliminate the cause.
The blame lies not only with the animal, but also with you, because it was you who could have prevented this situation, but for some reason did not do so.

How to stop a dog from chewing shoes

If your dog has already developed the "bad habit" of destroying shoes, it's worth taking advice from experienced breeders who know how to quickly and effectively wean a dog off the habit.

Here are some basic tips on how to stop your puppy from chewing shoes:

Hide shoes or limit your pet's access to the hallway with barriers.
Use ready-made sprays, which can be purchased at any pet store or ordered online. It's best to apply them nearby, not directly to the shoes (the smell is what repels the dog).
Use folk remedies (but be careful not to burn the delicate mucous membrane).
To show your dog that shoes aren't tasty, you can place an old shoe coated with children's "anti-chew" polish underneath it. It's very bitter, but completely safe.
Reinforce training with negative commands. Your dog will quickly learn that even approaching the shoe area is undesirable in your presence (but remember that this may not work while the owner is away).