Ruined shoes

jazzyman01

My GSD puppy has now decided to chew. Has never chewed anything but her toys but last night picked on a pair of my shoes. The only pair I have ever left out of my wardrobe. All the shoes belonging to the rest of the family - frequently left on display - left alone.

When I got up this morning the toe was completely missing and had to be thrown away.

Is there anything I can do to stop her chewing other things other than her toys before it becomes a problem or is this likely to be a one off??

Any ideas as to why it is only my shoes??

dizziblonde

Kongs... buy one, fill it, learn to love it if you've got a chewer around! They're blooming indestructible (and I own the jaws that can kill a tennis ball in 10 seconds flat)!

As for why it was your shoes? No idea - but flatter yourself thinking they obviously smelt of you and the Woof must adore you (or want your feet dead ). Friend's dog ate his brand new £300 trainers (quite why friend was so stupid leaving these out around a dog he knew was a shoe chewer is beyond me) - dog enjoyed the meal, owner was not impressed.

kittypimms

Quick solves -
1 - don't leave anything around that you don't want getting chewed (easier said than done with a puppy, I know!)
2 - Put a babygate (extra tall if needed) to stop her getting into rooms with things that can be chewed
3 - Depending on her age, try a puppy nylabone, or Kong toy

Other thoughts -
How old is she? Could it be teething?
Is she getting enough excercise - is this attention seeking or boredom behaviour?
Is she doing it while alone (possible separation anxiety), or when you are there?

Can't help on why your shoes I'm afraid lol - my 5YO still likes to steal my (and only my) socks for a chew... but I think I have really cheesy feet... I'm sure you don't!!

Sorry it's short - just off out to training, hope this helps!! Will add more if I can think of any later... good luck. I heart GSD pups - long or short coat?

gettingready

Weere the shoes real leather?

LOL

Zara only ever ate 3 pairs of shoes, all mine, all expensive, all real leather - she was a baby then so fogiven

jazzyman01

Thanks for the feedback. She is a really georgeous short haired 7 month old puppy. All her big teeth are through so not teething.

She has a minimum of 2 walks per day at least 1 hour and a lot of that time she is chasing her toys.

She actually chewed these at night and we were all asleep in bed. Shoes were not leather but suede - very expensive for me but fairly old. I like the idea that she is chewing mine because she adores me rather than wants to get rid of my feet!

Won't leave my shoes out any more and will get one of the Kongs?!


Thanks again!

Jessw0

teething can last up to a year old, something about the teeth 'setting in' to the jaw. My 11 month old will chew anything if it's left around, which is why our house has never been tidier!

dizziblonde

You're going to get told off soon btw... two posts about a GSD puppy and you haven't posted a picture - the resident fans will get tetchy (I'd love one but we don't have the space for a larger dog). Kongs are worth having though - they'll kill hours trying to get the last bit of food out if you pack it really tightly and it channels lots of the chewing into something less destructible than footwear!

Caroline_a

jazzyman01 wrote: »

She has a minimum of 2 walks per day at least 1 hour and a lot of that time she is chasing her toys.

Just as an aside, 2 hours of walking is an awful lot for a young GSD. The recommendation is 5 minutes per month (age) per day, which should protect any potential hip problems she may develop as she gets older. I would say that particularly if she is charging about with her toys... maybe try to do some obedience stuff with her when she needs to learn to be calmer. It will stimulate her without putting stress and strain on growing joints.

Sunnyday

Our last GSD puppy chewed until she was 18 month old and then just stopped as if someone had flicked a switch.

She managed to get into a room that we kept all the shoes and coats in whilst we were out and ate every single pair of boots and shoes that i had, the only ones left were my crappy work shoes that i was wearing :eek:

She never once chewed anything belonging to DH though, she had masses of toys and had two good one hour walks every day. She was highly energetic and was the type that was non stop all day, she didn`t calm down until she was over twelve years old

It may have been a one off if you`re lucky but to be on the safe side i would keep anything that you value out of her way A kong would be a good idea to try.

Ours ended up eating all the spines of the books on a book shelf, a hole in the carpet and most of a 3 piece suite :eek:

Getting ready - She looked just like the gorgeous dog in your avatar - all black with lovely long hair and tan paws. We had her from 12 weeks until 16 and a half and i`ll never forget what a fantastic dog she was.

The current monster likes wood :eek: Can`t really take off the skirting boards or remove the newel posts from the stairs but several coats of olbas oil and horrible tasting stuff and we are just about there.

Good luck OP

SD

gettingready

Sunnyday wrote: »

Getting ready - She looked just like the gorgeous dog in your avatar - all black with lovely long hair and tan paws. We had her from 12 weeks until 16 and a half and i`ll never forget what a fantastic dog she was.

Ohhhhh I so hope Zara gets to that age and in good health......

OP - you know we are waiting for a photo of your pup....:D

welshmoneylover

You seem to be walking her an awful lot, she's still a puppy. Equate her to human terms and she'll be teething for quite a while.

Kongs are a good idea, but ur smell on ur shoes is just as attractive so lock them away or put them higher.

The puppy/chewing stage doesn't last forever, soon you'll have a wonderful best friend in life :j