This page on Dog Training Basics is part of the Beginners Course of the
D.S. Dog Training Workshop, and an element of the Dog Science Network

Question:

If you have a problem with your dog chewing up people's shoes, how can you apply the formula to put a stop to it and keep it from happening again?

The Formula

  1. Give your dog something else to do.
    (something rewarding that is incompatible with the problem behavior)
  2. Remove all the pay-offs.
    (for the problem behavior)
  3. Make sure that it becomes an unpleasant experience.
    (every time your dog engages in the problem behavior)

Answer:

  1. Make other things available for him to chew instead, and reinforce him with your voice, and your attention, and perhaps, a tiny taste treat, when you see him attending to his designated chew things.
  2. Every time he starts to chew your shoe, take it away so quickly that he has no time to enjoy it.
  3. Make sure that your dog becomes at least a little bit upset every time your dog starts to chew one of your shoes.

Footnote:

You should make various objects available for your dog to chew, because that is an important step in keeping him from chewing things that he shouldn't. Choose your dog's chew objects from the pet store shelves. Do not give him old, discarded household items to chew, since that is just too much of a mixed message.

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This page on Dog Training Basics is part of the Beginners Course of the
D.S. Dog Training Workshop, and an element of the Dog Science Network