Know Your Pooch
VK Joshi
The writer is former director, GSI, and an avid animal lover. His understanding of man's best friend comes from over six decades of dedicated association with it
I remember my first pair of flat-toed, ‘Naughty Boy’ shoes from Bata. In 1949, they cost my father eight rupees, considered a fortune those days! And my first dog, Peter, liked the smell of those shoes. One fine morning, as I tried to put them on for school, I found that one side of a shoe was missing. A little search led to the crime scene. Some bits and pieces of the shoe were lying on his bed. In those days, thrashing of kids for any misdeed was common. I was used to it; hence, I took out my wrath on Peter. I almost beat him to a pulp.
Mind you, Peter was no puppy at that time. He was a full-blown adult. Of course, that incident came as a lesson and me and my parents started taking all precautions.
Thereafter, I had several dogs but never suffered from such losses, till 1973; when I added a full-grown Lhasa terrier bitch Sheeba to my kennel. She was quite perky and loved to mouth people’s hands, etc. But one morning, my father had to make an urgent phone call. As he went to dial, he saw that the cord of the receiver was missing. And there was Sheeba, sitting on her bed, staring at him! She had not only chewed off the cord, but also made a pulp out of the telephone Directory!
By then, I too had matured into a professional and knew the remedies. I tried to learn in depth about the behaviour of puppies and adults, especially in matters like chewing things and biting, etc. I am purposefully sharing this today because a dog-lover from Mumbai rang up to inform that his five-month-old Alsatian had chewed off his precious Vantier shoes, costing ten thousand rupees!
Dogs are naturally curious creatures, and chewing is one of their instinctive behaviours. Whether it's a teething puppy or an adult dog feeling bored or anxious, chewing serves various purposes — from relieving discomfort to exploring their environment. However, when this behaviour is directed toward your shoes, furniture, or other household items, it can quickly become frustrating. Fortunately, understanding why dogs chew and implementing practical strategies can help you prevent this unwanted behaviour.
Before addressing the problem, it’s important to understand why your dog is chewing whatever he can carry in his mouth:
Teething pain (puppies): Puppies, much like human babies, experience discomfort when teething. The problem is most acute between the ages of two to three months. Chewing gives them the same pleasure that a human infant gets with a teething ring!
Boredom or excess energy: Dogs left alone for long periods or those without sufficient physical and mental stimulation may chew to entertain themselves. They are pack animals and no dog likes to stay alone for more than two hours. Some can’t stay alone even for two minutes, claim the owners.
Separation anxiety: Dogs anxious about being left alone may chew as a way to cope with their stress.
Attention-seeking: Some dogs learn that chewing inappropriate items results in attention, even if it is negative!
Exploration: Dogs explore the world through their mouths. Chewing is part of their investigative behaviour.
Hunger or nutritional deficiency: Occasionally, dogs chew non-food items due to hunger or a lack of nutrients in their diet.
How to prevent chewing!
Here are effective ways to redirect and prevent your dog from chewing your shoes and other household items:
1. Provide appropriate chew toys
Ensure your dog has access to safe, durable chew toys. For puppies, soft rubber toys may soothe teething gums. For aggressive chewers, tougher toys such as nylon bones or rubber Kongs are ideal. Rotate toys regularly to maintain your dog’s interest. Like an infant or a toddler, the same toy every day bores them.
Tip: Fill a Kong toy with peanut butter or treats to make chewing more rewarding.
2. Keep shoes and valuables out of reach
This is one of the simplest solutions is also the most effective: remove temptation. Store shoes in closed closets or on high shelves where your dog cannot reach them. Use can baskets with lids or designated storage areas as suggested. Consistency is key; if your dog occasionally finds a shoe to chew, he will keep looking for more. You have to break that chain.
3. Exercise and mental stimulation
A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Ensure your dog gets enough physical activity based on its breed and age. Long walks, playtime, and games like fetch help burn off excess energy. Teaching him to fetch is very useful, as it tires the dog, but you remain relaxed. Combine physical activity with mental stimulation through obedience training, like Stay and Fetch, and scent games like “find the treat”.
4. Use taste deterrents
Though training books prescribe things like tabasco sauce, etc., as a taste or smell deterrent. I found Vinegar quite useful. Dogs rely more on their smell than on their eyes or tongue. Vinegar, being acidic, gives them the feeling of the presence of an animal more powerful than them.
5. Correct, don’t punish
Correction and reward are the basics of training a dog. If you catch your dog chewing something inappropriate: Say a firm “No” or “Leave it”. Once he stops, reward him with a treat immediately. Encourage him to chew his toy, with a change of your tone and all the honey in your voice. Avoid physical punishment, which can damage your relationship and increase anxiety-driven behaviours.
6. Use confinement or crate training
I have been suggesting this from my very first article in TreeTake. You cannot be present 24X7 around the dog to correct him. Hence, when you’re unable to supervise your dog, confine him to a safe, dog-proofed area, or use a crate for short periods. Ensure the space includes chew toys, comfortable bedding, and water. Crate training, when done correctly, gives dogs a secure place to relax and prevents them from getting into trouble when you’re away. In fact, dogs love their own lair and imagine their crate as a lair.
7. Address separation anxiety
If chewing is related to separation anxiety, gradually accustom your dog to being alone. Leave him with engaging toys. Avoid dramatic departures and arrivals. Providing background noise, like soft music, your own recorded voice, or even TV playing, may also help comfort anxious dogs when you're away.
8. Train basic commands
As already mentioned, teaching commands like Stay or Drop it and No can be life-saving — not only for your belongings but also for your dog’s safety. Practice these commands regularly using positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise.
9. Avoid mixed messages
Don’t give your dog old shoes or socks to chew. Dogs can’t distinguish between old and new — giving them a worn-out shoe teaches them that footwear is acceptable to chew. Also, remember, once you say no, you must mean it, and he should not be able to get back to damaging your things at that moment.
10. Stay patient and consistent
Breaking chewing habits takes time. Stay consistent with your training and prevention strategies. Reward good behaviour, correct mistakes gently, and understand that chewing, to some extent, is natural for dogs.
Also, remember, it is easier said or written than done. So, get going and start not only correcting and rewarding your dog, but also observing him minutely in your spare time. Like you open your cell phone to check WhatsApp messages every now and then, take a few minutes off to check your dog, too.
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