Why Does My Dog Chew My Shoes? Bobo Explains
Bobo & Mommy ·
You come home, and there it is: your favorite shoe, slightly damp, slightly chewed, and very much guarded by a small dog who insists he has no idea what happened.
Sound familiar? We took the matter straight to the source.
Bobo's confession
Bobo, what are you chewing? Um, nothing?
Is that Mommy's shoe? It was on the floor, so it could be for me.
Did you steal it? No, I licked it. And puppy rules say... now it is a little bit mine.
Why do you want Mommy's shoe? Because it has Mommy smell. I need to carry her smell everywhere. It's my emotional support.
Don't you have your stuffies for that? I do, but stuffies stay here. Shoe went outside with Mommy, it knows more things.
So Mommy's going shoeless to work tomorrow? She has two. She can share. One shoe for Mommy, one shoe for Bobo. Everybody happy. Hihihi.
Hard to argue with that logic, honestly.
So why do dogs chew shoes?
Bobo's "it smells like Mommy" defense is actually spot on. Here's what's usually behind it:
- Your scent is everywhere on them. Shoes carry the strongest dose of you, so for a dog who misses you, a shoe is the next best thing to a hug.
- Puppies explore with their mouths. Teething and curiosity mean chewing is how they learn about the world (and burn off energy).
- Boredom and comfort. Chewing is soothing. A bored or anxious pup often reaches for the most you-scented object in the house.
The gentle fix: keep shoes out of reach, give plenty of better chew options (Bobo recommends a good stuffie), and make sure your pup gets enough play and attention. It isn't naughtiness, it's love with bad aim.
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Love, Bobo & Mommy 💛