![]() ![]() A Pizzle makes a fine alternative to shoe leather. Remember that leather shoes are just treated animal hide – not so very different from a cow ear or any of the other animal-parts chewies now on the market. Not every dog loves hard plastic ersatz bones. If he doesn’t chew what you’ve already bought him, keep searching until you find things he does chew. “Appropriate” means things that are safe, reasonably healthful, and that he likes. (See “ Upper Level Management,” October 2001.) 4. Use baby gates, tethers, doors, and leashes to restrict his activities to dog-proofed areas or, if necessary, to the “right under your nose” zone. Limit your dog to smaller, more dog-proofable areas if you can’t dog-proof the whole house: Prevent your dog’s access to any areas where tempting, chewable footwear might be left lying about. Often, management is the answer, rather than training. Put your shoes in a closet and close the door. …the house for items you really don’t want him to chew. (See “ Thanks for Sharing,” Whole Dog Journal September 2001.) 2. If you punish him, it’ll be that much harder to get the next shoe back. Tell him he’s a good boy when he gives up the sandal for the treat, and absolutely resist the urge to punish him! You’ll get your shoe back faster, with less damage, if you cheerfully trade for it rather than chasing him around. Then grab a high-value treat out of the plastic container of treats that you keep handy in every room of the house – you do, right? – and quietly trade him for the shoe. BreatheĮven if your dog still has your $600 pair of leather Gladiator sandals in his mouth, take three deep breaths to calm yourself. ![]() Here are five things to do about the dog who chews up your shoes: 1. “Action Plan” is a new column that will offer five simple solutions for one common undesirable dog behavior. For almost any challenging dog event there are at least five relatively easy things you can do to defuse the crisis and reduce the likelihood of a return engagement of the unwanted behavior. ![]()
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