Chihuahuas are cute and cuddly dogs that you might not expect to be destructive. They’re also tiny! But, a few weeks ago, you may have noticed your Chihuahua chewing on something unusual. Suddenly, they have shown an interest in shoes and other items that a chihuahua does not usually chew. There could be many reasons for this sudden behavior change. Ever wonder why your Chihuahua suddenly started chewing on your shoes? Again, many reasons can contribute to this.
If your Chihuahua is suddenly chewing on your shoes, it could be for any number of reasons – teething, boredom, immaturity, hunger, or anxiety. Teething is one of the most common causes of excessive chewing, but it can also be boredom, immaturity, hungriness, or fear. Knowing the cause of your Chihuahua chewing on shoes is crucial to stopping his behavior in its tracks.
You can stop a Chihuahuas from chewing on your shoes by giving it something else to chew so that he does not have access to them anymore.
This article will discuss some of the most common causes and how you can stop them from happening again!
Are Chihuahuas Destructive?
Just because a dog is small doesn’t mean it’s not destructive. For example, if you notice broken items around the house or chewed shoes, your Chihuahua may be the culprit.
First, ensure you give your Chihuahua enough exercise to use up all their energy daily. Then, ensure they have a safe place to sleep at night so they don’t wake up in a bad mood from being restless because if your dog is feeling anxious or bored, it will lead to chewing.
Suppose your Chihuahua is already getting enough playtime and sleep. In that case, it could be a good idea to invest in some pet-proofing products such as an electronic fence or other deterrents if you are worried about them unsupervised while you’re at work, for example, where they can’t get their daily exercise.
If you have a chihuahua that chews everything, they will likely chew shoes. It is not that Chihuahua wants to make them dirty but more so because of teething and boredom!
Is It Normal For Chihuahua To Chew Shoes?
Well, if you have a dog that doesn’t destroy your shoes once in a while, do you have a dog?
Trust me, I have been through this, and I know exactly what it feels like to see your favorite shoes in several pieces. But, most of the time, it is our fault why our shoes end up like that.
Hence, answering your question, yes, it is normal for a chihuahua or any other dog to chew your shoes. But, the question is: Why? So, keep reading; I will answer all your queries here.
Why Is My Chihuahua Suddenly Chewing My Shoes?
It can get hasty and irritating if you don’t know what’s wrong with your Chihuahua.
Teething
If your Chihuahua is teething, he will need to chew on something. This process occurs when the teeth are coming through and creates a lot of pain. You can buy dog toys or give him some bones from meat if you don’t want to replace your sneakers!
He might need something to chew on if you have recently brought a new tiny puppy home and teething. Maybe that’s why your shoes are his target.
Teething is painful for puppies, but there are ways that you can help ease the pain without resorting to medication or dangerous products from the pet store!
Boredom
Your dog might be bored if left at home alone or tired of playing with his toys. You can always get him some new ones to keep him busy while you are gone!
Boredom might contribute to your Chihuahua’s sudden urge to chew on everything in sight. But, on the other hand, if they have been cooped up inside all day or left alone too long without any entertainment, they might find a way to keep themselves busy! A tired dog is good, so make sure your little friend gets plenty of exercises and mental stimulation daily.
Give your furry friend a variety of toys to play with and rotate them every few days. Chihuahua keeps him busy and entertained.
Please ensure you pay attention to his daily needs: provide food at appropriate times and take him out for walks! If he is chewing on your favorite pair of shoes because he is anxious, you will want to find the source of his anxiety and fix it as soon as possible!
Immaturity
Most dogs tend to explore the world through chewing so this behavior will change Chihuahua one year. They have no idea that it is inappropriate, but they are just trolling. If you don’t want to buy new shoes every week, make sure to train your dog!
Hunger
If he isn’t given enough food or water during the day and has nothing else to do but chew on something, this might be why. Therefore, you should ensure that your Chihuahua has eaten or drank something before you leave the house.
Anxiety
If he is anxious about being alone, make sure to give him some stuffed animals with a bit of lavender in them. It will help calm his anxiety and keep him from chewing on items when you are not home!
Attention
If you give your dog attention when chewing on something, he will continue doing it. So instead of getting down to his level and telling him no or stopping the behavior, please ignore it. Your Chihuahua wants your attention, so if he doesn’t get it that way, maybe try playing with him or giving him a treat!
Lack Of Training
If you don’t train your dog, he will not listen to what you say. He might be doing something wrong but won’t stop because of the lack of training, which could lead to other behavior problems. You can try using some positive reinforcement while training so that it’s fun and rewarding for your Chihuahua.
How To Stop Chihuahua From Chewing My Shoes?
When stopping a chihuahua from chewing on shoes, you need to be patient and not let him get away with the behavior.
If he is teething, give him some toys made for dogs to chew on. Remember to make sure that he has eaten and had some water first, and take him for a walk or play with him!
If you can see it bothers your Chihuahua when you yell at them, keep calm and know they have done something wrong. If you use any training techniques, ensure they are positive and rewarding. You don’t want to scare your pup!
But before we go into each one in detail, let’s take a look at some possible solutions:
Train Your Chihuahua
Train your dog to chew on appropriate items. Ensure you have enough toys around the house for chewing and give them out when it is time.
Also, make sure to replace old or damaged toys with new ones – don’t expect your dog to be interested in an old toy that they chewed into pieces. Give them new toys like giggle balls, plush toys, etc., for their chewing instinct.
Avoid Placing Shoes Where Your Dog Can Find Them
Do not use shoes as chew toys! They’re made of leather and will break down quickly, which harms your pet’s health. Let’s face it – they are meant to wear on our feet, so why would you want them elsewhere?
Don’t Punish Your Chihuahua For Chewing Shoes.
Other dog lovers or I will never recommend punishing your dog, as it can cause your dog to become afraid of you and withdraw fromChihuahuaation.
Also, if your dog chews on shoes in an attempt to go on or when they feel anxious or scared about something, punishing them will only worsen this.
They Need To Chew!
Chihuahuas are very energetic and need to release this energy through play and exercise. If they do not get enough physical activity each day, they will find other ways to burn off their excess energy. Unfortunately, this often leads to chewing shoes, clothes, and other household items they find around the house.
You need to make sure your Chihuahua gets plenty of exercises each day. Or wear him out before going in for his nap time by engaging with him through playtime sessions.
You Need To Train Him!
A Chihuahua’s teeth are constantly growing. So, it is essential to help him learn the difference between items he can chew on and those he cannot.
When your dog starts chewing on something they should not be, you need to act fast by giving them an acceptable item that they can sink their teeth into instead of your shoes.
However, it is essential to note that you should never hit or scold your Chihuahua when they chew on something wrong since this will make them too scared to approach anything with their mouths in the future. Instead, take away whatever item they are chewing and replace it with a toy of some sort.
Is Chihuahua Aggressive?
Well, if you have researched Chihuahua beforehand, you know they come in the aggressive category. They are tiny dogs, so people think treating them like toys is okay. However, this can lead to more issues than you would imagine.
Aggression is a hereditary trait, so the best way to avoid this is by not breeding them with aggressive dog breeds.
Chihuahuas are also very territorial, which makes it very difficult for those who live in apartments or have many visitors over as they will mark their territory and show aggression towards anyone who does not belong there.
In addition, Chihuahuas are also very protective of their owner, so if you have children or other pets in the home, it is best to train them at an early age not to bite.
Solutions for Chihuahua Chewing My Shoes?
If a Chihuahua is chewing on your shoes, there’s no reason to worry because there are solutions to this problem. For example, you can give your Chihuahua something else to chew on, such as a toy or bone, so they will leave your shoes alone.
There’s also the option of training them not to do this in the first place. You can do this by simply putting an end to it when it happens and giving your Chihuahua a toy to chew on instead.
How To Stop A Dog From Chewing?
There are many ways that you can stop a dog from chewing. But the best way is by following these simple steps:
- Be consistent with what they have access to, and remove any objects they shouldn’t have when you’re not around.
- Give them a toy to chew on instead of a bone. This will satisfy their need to chew, and they won’t have the urge anymore.
- Train your dog from an early age. So, it knows when it is okay for them to chew particular objects and when it’s time to stop.
Conclusion
Chihuahuas come in the aggressive category, but there are ways of taming these feisty creatures! If you follow our advice on stopping your Chihuahua from chewing your shoes, you will see a happy and healthier dog.
Teething, Boredom, Immaturity, Hunger, and Anxiety can all lead to the destruction of furniture or personal belongings in the house! So if you have been wondering why my Chihuahua is suddenly chewing my shoes, the answer might be simple!
If you have any more queries or questions, please contact our team! Also, please drop a comment below with your thoughts on why my Chihuahua is suddenly chewing my shoes!
