Dog ate shoelaces, or even worse, your dog ate leather shoelaces? In this article, we’ll teach you all you need to know about your dog eating shoelaces (of all types), including what to do if your dog ate shoelaces already. We’ll then explain the two commands that will ensure your dog stays away from your laces from now on.

Next, we’ll cover more you should know, such as can a dog digest leather shoelaces and can dogs pass shoelaces. Finally, we’ll instruct you on why your dog eats shoelaces, also answering why dogs eat leather shoelaces and how to stop dogs eating shoelaces. Keep reading!

Dog Ate Shoelaces, What Do I Do?

If your dog ate shoelaces, it’s important to act promptly. While shoelaces may seem harmless, they can cause choking or obstructive risk. Quickly assess how much and what part of the shoelace was eaten. If it was a small piece, your dog will likely pass it without issue, but long pieces or whole shoelaces can be more problematic and require veterinary attention.

Dog Ate Leather Shoelace, What Do I Do?

If your dog ate leather shoelaces, observe your dog for any immediate distress such as choking or gagging. If they appear distressed, contact your vet immediately. If they’re not showing distress, you’ll still want to monitor them closely for any signs of gastrointestinal blockage, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or changes in bowel movements, over the next 48 hours.

Leather can be tough to digest and pose a greater risk than fabric shoelaces.

Dog Eating Shoelaces Side Effects

The side effects of dogs eating shoelaces include gastrointestinal upset, indicated by vomiting or diarrhea. More seriously, shoelaces can lead to an intestinal blockage, which might not be evident immediately.

Symptoms of a blockage, such as abdominal pain, bloating, loss of appetite, and changes in bowel movements, may take a day or two to appear. If you notice any of these signs or an overall change in your dog’s demeanor, contact your veterinarian.

Train the “Leave It” Command

1. Hold a treat in your hand and show it to your dog. Close your fist around the treat and say “Leave it.”
2. Wait until your dog stops nibbling at your hand and moves away. Then say “Good leave it,” and give them the treat from the other hand.
3. Practice this with the treat on the floor and cover it with your hand if they try to take it. Only give the treat when they move away after you say “Leave it.”
4. Gradually increase the difficulty by leaving the treat uncovered and then by using more tempting objects like a shoelace.
5. Always reward with a different treat to reinforce that leaving the object leads to something even better.

Training your dog with the “Leave It” command is crucial for preventing them from eating things they shouldn’t, such as shoelaces, which can be harmful to their health.

Train the “Drop It” Command

1. When your dog has a toy in their mouth, offer a treat and say “Drop it.”
2. As they drop the toy to eat the treat, praise them enthusiastically.
3. Repeat this process several times until your dog starts to drop the toy upon hearing the command, anticipating the treat.
4. Once they reliably drop the toy, practice with items they shouldn’t have, like a shoelace, under close supervision.
5. Eventually, fade the treats, so your dog follows the command due to the conditioned response, not just for the treat.

Mastering the “Drop It” command can be a lifesaver, ensuring that your dog will release potentially harmful items from their mouth on command.

In summary, if your dog eats shoelaces, quick action and close monitoring are necessary. These commands will help keep your dog safe, but it’s important to remember 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 eating shoelaces 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 eating shoelaces ever again!

Can a Dog Digest Leather Shoelaces?

Dogs cannot digest leather shoelaces. Dogs’ digestive systems are not equipped to break down leather material efficiently. While small pieces may pass through without issue, larger pieces could potentially cause digestive obstructions that might require veterinary intervention.

Can Dogs Pass Shoelaces?

Whether dogs can pass shoelaces depends on several factors, including the length of the shoelace, the dog’s size, and the type of material. While they may be able to pass small pieces of fabric shoelaces, leather is tougher and less likely to pass easily through the gastrointestinal tract.

It’s not uncommon for parts of leather shoelaces to become lodged, potentially causing a blockage that may need surgical removal. It’s best to prevent these situations from occurring in the first place by teaching your dog commands like “leave it” and “drop it.” You can learn both now in the first section.

Not getting this problem taken care of will only lead to it spreading to other similar areas. You’ll then start seeing things like your dog eating shoes, your dog chewing your ties, your dog chewing the TV remote, or your dog chewing your leather belts.

What Happens if My Dog Ate a Shoelace?

If your dog ate a shoelace, monitor them closely for signs of gastrointestinal discomfort or blockage. Initial symptoms may include vomiting, retching, or gagging, and can progress to more severe signs like abdominal pain, bloating, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms or if you know they have ingested a significant length of shoelace, it’s important to contact your veterinarian right away.

Will Leather Breakdown in a Dog’s Stomach?

Leather does not typically break down in a dog’s stomach. The tanning chemicals used in making leather shoelaces can resist breakdown by a dog’s digestive enzymes. If ingested, leather may soften and become more pliable, but it does not truly dissolve, increasing the risk of forming an obstruction in the stomach or intestines.

In conclusion, while dogs may be tempted to chew on leather shoelaces, they are not able to properly digest them. Your dog eating leather shoelaces can pose a significant health risk due to the potential for obstruction.

It’s important to keep such items out of reach and to seek veterinary care if your dog eats leather shoelaces or other items. Regular training to discourage inappropriate chewing habits can also help prevent such incidents.

Why Does My Dog Eat Shoelaces?

Your dog eats shoelaces, often out of curiosity or as a way to relieve boredom or anxiety. The behavior can be common in puppies that are teething or dogs that simply enjoy the act of chewing. However, consuming non-food items, such as shoelaces, is dangerous and can lead to gastrointestinal blockage and other health issues.

Why Do Dogs Eat Leather Shoelaces?

Dogs eat leather shoelaces primarily because they find the texture appealing for chewing. Leather being tough and slightly chewy can provide a satisfying resistance for dogs that crave something to gnaw on. This behavior is particularly observed in puppies and young dogs who are teething and feel the need to chew to alleviate the discomfort in their gums.

Why Do Dogs Like Leather Shoelaces?

Dogs like leather shoelaces not just for their texture, but also for the scent. Leather retains smells more readily than many other materials. The smell of the leather itself or the odors it has absorbed, including the scent of their owner, can be attractive to dogs.

This olfactory attraction, combined with the satisfying chewiness of leather, often makes shoelaces irresistible to canine companions.

How to Stop Dogs Eating Shoelaces

To stop dogs from eating shoelaces, consider providing them with plenty of appropriate chew toys that can satisfy their urge to chew. Keep shoes and shoelaces out of reach, especially when not in use.

Using a deterrent spray on shoelaces can make them less appealing, and consistent training to obey commands like “leave it” can be very effective in managing this behavior. You can learn it now by going back to the first section.

In wrapping up, if your dog is eating shoelaces, it’s a behavior worth paying attention to, as it can be a symptom of boredom or anxiety and can lead to health issues if not addressed. Offering alternative chew items, ensuring shoes are stored away, and training can all help in redirecting your dog’s chewing habits towards more appropriate items.

I’m sure you’re ready to get started now that you have all of your questions about your dog eating shoelaces answered, so I’ll let you begin. Good luck, and thanks for reading our article “Dog Ate Shoelaces? Dog Ate Leather Shoelace?”