Sep
03
How do you break a dog from chewing up shoes?
ByMy sister is at her wits end. She has 2 dogs. Chihuahua/Rat Terrior Mix (Brothers from separate litters) This pup is 8 months old and obsessed with chewing up one of every pair of her shoes, nothing else, just shoes. The other dog has never done this. She has tried everything she knows to try, even techniques from the dog whisperer. Even when she puts them out of his reach, he will climb to get them. Any ideas on breaking his “shoe fettish” would be greatly appreciated.
12 Comments
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Bitter Apple Spray! It saves everything you want to have saved from being chewed.
I have a Lab and that was the only way I could spare my poor furniture, slippers, carpet, even walls when she was teething.
Spray it on and the dog will leave your stuff alone, they won’t like the bitter taste. If you have a stubborn learner (my Lab was completely stubborn when it came to the shoes and slippers) and want to re-inforce it even more, spray the shoes and watch for when the dog goes for them. Take up the dog’s water for a bit after he’s tried to chew the shoe. The bitter taste will be on his tongue and he won’t be able to get rid of the taste right away if his water is gone (just don’t withold the water too long, just long enough to re-inforce that he shouldn’t be chewing the shoes).
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:42 PM
1. When he was teething it probably made him feel better now he is probably bored and chewing helps with boredom. Does she walk him and play with him?
2. Use bitter apple spray dogs hate the taste.
3. Put shoes where he can’t reach and move everything he can climb on.
4. When you catch him chewing on a shoe go “EHT EHT EHT” in a stern, sharp voice and then give him something else to chew on.
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:39 PM
those annoying sqeaky dog shoe toys
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Can’t she keep the shoes on the top shelf of a closet? Surely the dog won’t be able to get the shoes then, especially if she remembers to keep the closet door closed.
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:52 PM
there are two things I have tried with success. one is spraying perfume on the item(s) because my dogs absolutely back off from perfume (really strong scent). The other is buying your dog so many chew toys he doesn’t even think about chewing anything of yours up. Both these things worked for me but on puppies, they chew because they are teething, adult teeth erupting and because your scent is so concentrated in your shoes it’s like they are gobbling you up.
September 4th, 2010 at 12:15 AM
get chewy, squeaky or any toy that they can chew on!?
September 4th, 2010 at 12:47 AM
Give him something other chewable dog toys and stop his habits now.This are available at pet shops.Also strictly keep away shoes from him.After somedays he will lose the habit.
September 4th, 2010 at 1:00 AM
Check out http://doggy-advice.com/ there is a guide on chewing there.
September 4th, 2010 at 1:23 AM
Go buy some cheap cologne and spray it on the shoes,, it leaves a horrible bitter taste in the dogs mouth,,, believe me,, the dog will spit out the shoe!!
September 4th, 2010 at 1:29 AM
The easiest and best way to take care of that, is to crate-train the puppy. This will keep him safe, and keep your sister’s things safe. Even if she keeps him from chewing on the shoes, there might be something else he will chew on, anyway. Puppies can also eat things while people are away, that can hurt them. You would be surprised at what a dog can chew on, and even try to swallow that can cause serious harm. Crate-training teaches the dog that there are rules, and until he is out of his chewing stage, the rules are set. No chewing, because he will either be with her and under her supervision, or in the crate, safe and sound and out of trouble. The problem is that once a habit begins, it is difficult to change. While the puppy is in the cage, and even other times, too, your sister might consider giving him a rawhide to chew on.
September 4th, 2010 at 1:35 AM
Best cure for the time being, is keep your shoes out of the reach, never expect just to kick em off when you get home, and expect the find them in the same place the next morning. I havean issue of my neighbors dog getting in through gaps in my fence, grabbing one of my shoes and taking it back home with them, and chewing it to bits. It makes you angry I know but even worse if it someone elses dog that does this. I have looked over the fence, and can see why the dog is so bored, nothing around whatsoever and not a dogtoy to place around with, so he hunts around someone else property, to bring something back home with him.
September 4th, 2010 at 1:49 AM
try putting vinegar in a pair of old sneakers and leave them out for a little while in like the garage or somewhere your dog has access and after it chews them for like a week it will get off the flavor and not chew shoes… THIS WORKED 4 ME!!!!