DU dog people, advice please.

[Incitatus]

How do you train a dog that shoes are not acceptable chew toys. This has happened repeatedly. He definitely knows he is going wrong when I catch him. He gets that look and backs away. I've tried scolding him. I've tried time-out crating, and even soft smacks on the rear with the shoe nothing that makes him yelp I don't want to hit him hard I know there has to be another way other than hitting him hard or keeping all shoes locked up when not in use. Any ideas?

There are a number of other chew toys in the house, but I have another dog that knows are toys and what are not and the aforementioned methods have worked to train him.

[left-of-center2012]

1. Isn't there a spray ?

Seems I've seen a spray advertised that you put on objects, furniture, etc.
Have you checked a pet store?

Here's one :
http://www.gundogsupply.com/chew-stopper-by-retrieve-health.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=2266&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=434845572d53544f505045522d42592d52455452494556452d4845414c5448&gclid=CK_o9uThqbMCFfBcMgodbksATA

[haele]

2. Bitter Apple usually works-

But it really depends on the dog. Shari of fond memory had probably two brain cells between her ears and if she fixated on chewing on something, it wouldn't matter if you put cayanne pepper on it to keep her off it. She'd just make faces, drop the item, whine, flop her tongue out and gag, whine - and then pick it back to start chewing again - and repeat the cycle until eventually, she destroyed the object she desired to chew.

Haele

[RebelOne]

11. Yes, Bitter Apple is an great corrective tool.

It worked for me when I first got my Chihuahua as a puppy, and it stopped her from biting as puppies always do.

[mrmpa]

17. I used lemon juice and...........

it got to the point (after 2 sprays into her mouth) that I would just show her the lemon bottle and she would drop whatever was in her mouth. Training was about 2 days.

[HopeHoops]

3. Get a cheap pair at a second-hand store and coat them in Tabasco sauce. It works. Trust me.

[Scuba]

4. Hitting or scolding your dog for something he/she did more than 0.1 second ago is pointless ....

... unless it's your goal to teach him/her that you're an abuser.

I like the tobasco idea. You can also buy commercial products to spray on couches, shoes, etc.

But hitting and scolding are not going to teach your dog what you want.

[TwilightGardener]

5. I'd put away the shoes until he forgets his little obsession.

And if you do catch him in the act of shoe-chewing, make a loud unpleasant noise and take it away. Smacking him with it or putting him in time-out won't work--I don't think dogs understand the cause and effect or purpose of time outs, and if you hit him with the shoe he'll just wonder why you're hitting him.

It shouldn't be too hard to make sure everyone puts their shoes somewhere where the dog can't get it. He's got a habit now, and he's going to chew when you're not around to stop him--you have to make it impossible for him to indulge the habit for a while. In the meantime, find something that he likes to chew more. I'm a Nylabone fan myself--it's the one thing that dogs can never really rip or break apart and eat. My dogs have always loved their Nylabones. Kongs are good too.

[MrsBrady]

6. put your shoes up.

and get some toys for him to play with.

find a toy he likes best and give him that.

if he's a puppy, he's going to be chewing awhile.

If he's not been house trained before, it will take him a while.

Don't use the crate for punishment...it should be a safe place for him.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/destructive_chewing.html

[Incitatus]

7. Thanks to everyone for the replies and informatoin. nt

[LiberalEsto]

8. Also, give it time

In my experience, dogs don't calm down and behave in a (relatively) mature way until they're about 2 1/2 to 3 years old.

[blaze]

14. LOL

My vet said those very same words to me about a(n) hyper-active puppy... who didn't "calm down" until he met the rainbow bridge. (Gawd bless his hyperactive little ass)

[Taverner]

9. There are scents you can apply that the dog won't like

And, if it's a small dog, this will prevent them from emulating the cat by walking between your legs

[nadine_mn]

10. They don't know its wrong - just that you are angry

Dogs love your scent so you are fighting against an instinct.

You need to distract with something they want even more - like a Nylabone or Kong toy filled with peanut butter. You have to catch them in the act - and give them the acceptable toy.

Sometimes you just have to make adjustments - we have had 4 large dogs at one time (now its just 2) and things like dirty laundry have to been locked up, garbages put up etc - they are old enough to know better (because they never go for it when we are watching - its when we are gone) - and since we can't catch them in the act since they do it when we are gone, we have to put stuff up.

Shoe chewing is usually a phase, just give them something better to chew.

[hedgehog]

12. Is there an old pair of shoes he can have?

[cyberswede]

15. Dogs can't tell the difference...

if you give them an old pair, they'll assume all shoes are fair game.

[pipi_k]

13. How I got two dogs to stop

chewing stuff they weren't supposed to.

And it wasn't just shoes...it was everything.

But if your main goal is to keep your shoes, I agree with the people who say to put your shoes where your dog can't get them.

What I ended up doing with my girls chewing everything in sight was to use a 50/50 mixture of vinegar (white or apple cider) and water in a spray bottle.

No...you don't spray the dog. You spray the article, then give the dog an appropriate toy.

You do this each and every time you see him chewing something he's not supposed to.

It took a while (you must be consistent) but eventually my girls stopped chewing my stuff and played with their own stuff instead. I can even leave my shoes out now and they don't touch them.

Never punish a dog because they don't make the connection. Redirect and reward for good behavior.

[2theleft]

16. teaching the "leave it" command worked wonders for me

Remember Turner & Hooch? This is NOT YOURS? That's basically what leave it is for them. When they are puppies, you feel like that is all you will say, especially if you have one prone to mischief, but, it was very, very effective for me. I had a shoe, pillow, rug chewer and after about a month of leave its and redirecting with one of her toys, we have been great since. It even worked last month when same silly boxer had caught a 'possum. I was NOT going to take it out of her mouth...firmly told her leave it, she dropped it and came trotting in the house. Luckily for me, the little critter was just playing possum and jumped up and scurried off.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-train-your-dog-to-leave-it.html