How do you teach your dog not to bite shoes?
Sam asked:
I live in a country where people take their shoes off before entering a house. Shoes are traditionally left outside. My dog likes to select the most expensive pair and reduce it to shreds. Any idea?
I live in a country where people take their shoes off before entering a house. Shoes are traditionally left outside. My dog likes to select the most expensive pair and reduce it to shreds. Any idea?
Go to your local pet store or go on line at petsmart.com and purchase some “Bitter Apple”. Spray it on your shoes. Your dog will not touch your shoes and your shoes will not be harmed. They may smell like bitter apple instead of stinky feet though!
I sure wish I had some years ago when my dog drug my unmentionables out of the laundry through the house when we had company one time….
Put a pair of shoes and a toy or something else that you want her to chew in front of her, every time she goes for the shoes tell her no in a loud voice and then put what you do want her to have in her mouth, or at least closer to her. Eventually with enough practice, she’ll get that the shoes are off limits.
Remember to switch the shoes while doing this, so she knows that all shoes are off limits, not just one pair. Reward her when she picks the right item, and when guest are leaving their shoes, perhaps put them in a box outside the door that she can’t get into, or leave a toy near the shoes, so when tempted to chew, she has a chance to make the right choice.
Purchase an attractive “shoe holder” like a trunk or lidded box, hand paint the word shoes on it or a phrase to give visitors the idea. Out of sight, can’t chew!
Spraying bitter apple might help unless you have a dog that likes it. What ever you do Do Not give and old pair of shoes to dog to chew on. They don’t know the difference between the toy and a good pair of shoes. Correct with a word associated with “mouthing” like “Stop” take item out of mouth and give something appropriate. Rotate toys i.e. If dog has 6 toys take 3 and put in a bag. Only give these toys when you are leaving so if there is a separation anxiety problem -dog will hopefully go to those items instead of finding something to alieve anxiety. Remember most chewing is done within 5 minutes of you leaving and if it is being done in front of you then it should be easy to deal with. They usually like the leather smell.
There are many things you can try, but I guarantee the only thing that will work is to remove the shoes from the dog’s reach.
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