Why your dog has a shoe fetish
To a dog, a shoe is a masterpiece: it smells strongly of you, it is soft and satisfying to chew, and it is left lying around at exactly the right height. Chewing itself is completely natural for dogs — it relieves stress, works out puppy teeth, and is just plain fun. The problem is that you have given your dog a chew toy that costs £80 and lives on your foot.
The key insight: your dog is not being spiteful or naughty. They are doing the most natural thing in the world to a perfectly chewy object you left available. So the fix is a combination of management (make shoes less available), redirection (offer better chews), and enrichment (give the dog something better to do).
Step-by-step: stop the shoe habit
Step 1: Manage the environment
Prevention is 90% of the battle:
- Keep shoes in a closed wardrobe, cupboard, or a lidded box from day one.
- Do not leave shoes on the floor, "just for a second" — that second is all it takes.
- Use baby gates to keep the dog away from hallways and bedrooms full of tempting footwear.
If your dog has already practised the habit, they will search for shoes. Remove the reward entirely and the habit starves.
Step 2: Offer better options
A dog chews because chewing feels good, so give them something that feels better:
- Provide a range of durable chew toys that are rotated so they stay interesting.
- Match the chew to the reason: teething puppies want something soothing and softish; heavy chewers want long-lasting, hard-wearing toys.
- For dogs who adore soft, fabric texture, offer a dedicated "legal" soft chew or a stuffed, durable plush toy so the urge has an outlet.
Step 3: Redirect when you catch it
If you see your dog mouthing a shoe, calmly swap it for an approved chew toy. Reward the instant your dog takes the good toy. Never shout or chase — the swap-and-reward teaches that the correct chew pays better.
Step 4: Build a "leave it" cue
Teach a solid "leave it": show a treat in a closed fist, wait for your dog to look away, then reward. Then progress to "leave it" on a shoe placed nearby. This gives you a verbal tool to interrupt the behaviour at the source.
Step 5: Address the root energy
Boredom and stress are the engines behind destructive chewing:
- Make sure your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise — a sniffing walk and a food puzzle tire a brain far better than a sprint.
- Give the dog a routine so they know when exercise and attention arrive.
- Watch for chewing that only happens when you are away — that can signal separation-related stress, which needs its own plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Punishing the dog after the fact — by the time you find the ruined shoe, the dog has no idea what the punishment is for.
- Chasing or screaming during the act — for many dogs this becomes a game ("keep away"), which rewards the stealing.
- Giving an old shoe as a "training" chew — a dog cannot tell the difference between "this shoe is for me" and "that shoe is for me".
- Doing nothing and hoping they grow out of it — many dogs don't; the habit needs to be actively replaced.
Recommended gear
- Durable, long-lasting chew toys — the reliable alternative your dog actually wants to choose.
- Food puzzle — a focused job that satisfies the chewing and hunting drive.
- Treat-dispensing toy — keeps a bored dog occupied and calm while you are busy.
Realistic timeline
With consistent management and redirection, most dogs stop seeking out shoes within 1–2 weeks, because the reward disappears. The "leave it" cue and the replacement chewing habits solidify over a few more weeks. The single most important habit: no shoes left within reach.
Frequently asked questions
Is my dog chewing shoes because they are stressed? Sometimes. If the chewing is obsessive, only happens when you are away, or comes with other signs like pacing or drooling, it may be separation-related and worth a professional look. But most shoe chewing is simply opportunity plus a nice chew toy.
My dog is an adult — is it too late to stop? No. Adult dogs learn the replacement habit quickly once the shoe reward is removed and better options are offered. It takes consistency, not youth.
Should I use a bitter spray on my shoes? It can be a short-term deterrent, but it is no substitute for management and redirection. Some dogs even enjoy the taste. Treat it as a small extra, not a solution.
When to get help
If the chewing is obsessive, dangerous (swallowing fabric), or clearly linked to separation distress, involve a qualified, force-free behaviour professional or your vet. Destructive chewing is common, but the right plan keeps both your shoes and your dog safe.
This guide contains affiliate links. Purchases made through these links support this site at no extra cost to you. All methods are force-free and grounded in reward-based training.