Why do dogs chew on shoes? Why do dogs eat shoes? In this article, we’ll cover all you need to know about your dog chewing shoes and your dog eating shoes, including what to do if your dog ate your shoes already. We’ll then teach you the two commands that will ensure your dog stays away from your footwear from now on.

Next, we’ll explain more you should know about how to stop a dog from chewing shoes (or eating them), going over everything from training to storage. Finally, we’ll instruct you on why dogs like shoes (also answering why dogs take shoes, why dogs sleep on your shoes, and why dogs move your shoes). Keep reading!

Why Do Dogs Chew on Shoes?

Dogs chew on shoes to relieve anxiety or boredom. Your shoes are comforting and an attractive target because they’re readily available and carry your scent. Chewing is also a natural behavior for puppies who are teething. Your dog chewing shoes is destructive and potentially dangerous if they swallow parts of the shoe.

How to Stop a Dog From Chewing Shoes

Stopping a dog from chewing shoes involves a mix of supervision, environmental management, and training. Keep shoes stored away in a closet or use a deterrent spray on them. Provide your dog with plenty of appropriate chew toys and make sure they get enough physical exercise and mental stimulation to deter them from seeking out shoes.

How to Stop Puppy Chewing Shoes

A puppy chewing shoes is common during their teething phase. To prevent this, ensure that your puppy has access to plenty of teething toys. Engage in positive reinforcement training to encourage your puppy to choose their toys over shoes. Supervision is key, and when you can’t supervise, consider using puppy gates or crates to prevent access to shoes.

Train the “Leave It” Command

1. Start by holding a treat in your hand. Show it to your dog, then close your hand around it.
2. When your dog stops trying to get the treat, say “Leave it,” then give them the treat from your other hand.
3. Move the treat to the floor, covering it with your hand. Wait for them to stop trying to get it, say “Leave it,” then reward with a treat from the other hand.
4. Practice this command by using items they are more likely to encounter daily, such as shoes, to strengthen their understanding.

Training with the “Leave It” command helps prevent unwanted chewing by teaching your dog self-control around forbidden items.

Train the “Drop It” Command

1. When your dog is holding a toy, show them a treat and say “Drop it.”
2. Once they drop the toy, praise them and provide the treat.
3. Repeat this process, each time waiting a bit longer before giving the treat.
4. Transition to using the command when they pick up something they shouldn’t, like a shoe, and reward them for dropping it.

The “Drop It” command is essential for getting your dog to release items they shouldn’t have in their mouths safely.

Dogs chew shoes due to natural instincts and attraction to their owner’s scent. To curb this behavior, provide appropriate chew toys, keep shoes out of reach, and engage in consistent training with commands like “Leave It” and “Drop It.”

It’s important to remember, however, that the underlying behavioral issues (curiosity, anxiety, boredom, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present. And until you address those, any positive changes you see will only be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes last?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like your dog chewing shoes and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog chewing your shoes ever again!

Why Do Dogs Eat Shoes?

Dogs eat shoes primarily to relieve anxiety or boredom. Your dog enjoys the texture of your shoes and that they carry your scent. Shoes can also often fall victim to a dog’s natural behavior to explore the world with their mouth, especially for puppies and younger dogs. Eating shoes can lead to health issues and should be addressed promptly.

Dog Ate Shoes, What Do I Do?

If your dog ate shoes, immediately check for any signs of distress such as difficulty breathing, gagging, or attempting to vomit. If these are present, it’s a veterinary emergency and you should contact yours immediately.

In cases where the dog appears normal, carefully remove any remaining shoe parts from their reach, and observe your dog for signs of abdominal pain, lethargy, vomiting, or changes in bowel movements over the next 24-48 hours.

Contact your veterinarian to inform them of the situation; they may advise dietary changes or an in-person visit to assess any risks of internal obstruction or toxicity. To prevent future incidents, train your dog on commands like “leave it” and “drop it.” You can learn both now by going back to the first section.

It’s best to get this taken care of as soon as you can because doing so will also stop this issue from spreading to other areas. You then won’t have to worry about things like your dog eating shoelaces, your dog eating your ties, your dog eating your leather belts, or your dog chewing on your cell phone.

How to Stop Dog Eating Shoes

To stop your dog from eating shoes, first, ensure that all shoes are stored in a secure place, out of the dog’s sight and smell. Regularly provide your dog with safe, durable chew toys and rotate them to keep your pet’s interest.

Address the behavior with consistent, positive reinforcement training, and consider additional exercise or mental stimulation to reduce boredom, which is often a trigger for destructive chewing.

Dog Eating Shoes: Why It’s Dangerous

Dogs eating shoes are dangerous not just because of the immediate risk of choking or blockage. The long-term effects of ingesting non-digestible materials can include severe digestive tract damage, potential perforation from sharp objects like buckles, and toxicity from dyes and adhesives used in shoe manufacturing.

The complications from a dog eating shoes can be life-threatening and result in extensive veterinary care, which could have been avoided with preventative measures.

Can Dogs Pass Pieces of a Shoe?

Although a dog’s digestive system is robust, it’s not designed to handle materials like the leathers, synthetics, and plastics that shoes are made from. While a dog may occasionally pass small fragments of a shoe without incident, it’s not something that can be relied upon.

There’s no guarantee that all pieces will pass through naturally, and any owner finding their dog has ingested parts of a shoe should watch for any signs of a gastrointestinal obstruction and consult with their veterinarian.

In summary, dogs eat shoes due to anxiety, boredom, and curiosity. They’re availability and the fact that they carry your scent makes your shoes an attractive target. Be aware, though, that it is not just destructive but also a dangerous habit that can lead to serious health issues.

Preventing this behavior involves keeping shoes away from your dog, providing suitable chew alternatives, and training. If your dog ate a shoe or any pieces of one, it’s important to monitor them for any signs of distress and consult with a vet if you have concerns, as not all materials will pass through their digestive system safely.

Why Do Dogs Like Shoes?

Dogs like shoes because they are full of their owner’s scent, which provides comfort and a sense of closeness, especially when their owner is not around. The texture of shoes also appeals to a dog’s natural instinct to chew, making shoes a common target for this behavior.

Why Does My Dog Take My Shoes?

Your dog takes your shoes not just as a token of affection or comfort but also due to their ingrained predisposition for chewing and carrying objects in their mouth. It’s a behavior that can be traced back to their ancestral roots.

The act may also serve as a coping mechanism for dogs to deal with separation anxiety or boredom, creating a comforting environment with an item that smells strongly of their beloved owner. Furthermore, this behavior can be reinforced if the dog has learned that taking shoes earns them attention from their owner, whether that attention is positive or negative.

To help prevent these types of situations, train your dog on commands like “leave it” and “drop it,” both of which you can learn now in the first section.

Why Does My Dog Sleep on My Shoes?

Your dog sleeps on your shoes for a multitude of reasons, with the primary being the strong personal scent that shoes retain. This behavior is akin to a security blanket for your dog, providing emotional comfort.

Additionally, the act of sleeping on your shoes can be viewed as a form of territory marking, where your dog mixes their scent with yours, reinforcing the social bond. It can also be their way of keeping something of yours close, serving as a placeholder until you return.

Why Does My Dog Move My Shoes When I Leave?

Your dog moves your shoes when you leave possibly due to a blend of separation anxiety and the desire for comfort through your scent. This movement can also be part of a gathering behavior, where dogs collect items that smell like their owners to feel less alone.

For some dogs, this act can also be interactive, engaging in a game where moving shoes might have previously triggered a reaction from you, thus becoming a learned behavior that they might repeat in anticipation of your return.

In summary, the canine attraction to shoes often stems from their sensory connection to their owner and can manifest in various behaviors such as taking, sleeping on, or moving the shoes. These actions are a part of the complex way dogs interact with their environment and express their social attachment.

To prevent any unwanted chewing or moving of shoes, providing engaging toys and comfort items for your dog can be helpful, especially in addressing the behaviors rooted in anxiety and the need for your presence.

I’m sure you’re ready to get started now that you have all of your questions about dogs chewing shoes and dogs eating shoes answered, so I’ll let you begin. Good luck, and thanks for reading our article “Why Do Dogs Chew on Shoes? Why Do Dogs Eat Shoes?”