When you find one of your favorite sneakers missing, only to discover it in your dog’s bed, you may wonder why your furry friend is a shoe thief. Whether your shoes end up destroyed, hidden, or in your dog’s mouth causing a chase, understanding the reasons behind this behavior is essential.
In this article, we explore six common reasons why your dog takes your shoes and offer tips on how to address this behavior to keep your shoes safe.
The 6 Reasons Behind Your Dog’s Shoe Theft
1. Your Dog Craves Attention
If you’ve been busy and haven’t been able to spend quality time with your dog, they might resort to stealing your shoes to grab your attention. Recognizing that you put on your shoes before leaving might be a trigger for them. Snatching a shoe can be a way to delay your departure and keep you around.
If your dog notices that grabbing a shoe initiates a game of chase with you, they may view this as a fun activity and a successful way to engage with you. To address this, try dedicating more time for interactions with your dog to curb their attention-seeking behavior.
2. Your Dog Is Having Fun
To your dog, your shoes may resemble toys. They might take your shoe as an invitation to play. Watch their behavior when they take the shoe – are they waiting for you to join in or tossing the shoe around as if playing with it? Let them lose interest naturally without chasing them, then remove the shoe from their reach.
3. Your Dog Requires Physical Activity
If your dog lacks adequate exercise, they may channel their excess energy into undesirable activities like shoe theft. High-energy breeds need daily physical exertion to prevent destructive behavior.
To address this, allocate time for regular exercise sessions like playing fetch in a safe area or going for long walks. Physical activity can help your dog stay content and less inclined to engage in mischievous acts like stealing shoes.
4. Your Dog Is Attracted to the Shoe’s Scent
With their keen sense of smell, dogs may be drawn to items with appealing scents, like your shoes. The scent of sweat on shoes can make them enticing to dogs. Your dog might find comfort in your scent when you’re away, prompting them to steal your shoes to have your smell close by.
To deter this behavior, keep your shoes out of reach or use an anti-chew spray on them. If your dog is attracted to leather shoes, provide them with a suitable leather toy as an alternative to redirect their chewing habits.
5. Your Dog Is Teething
For teething puppies, chewing provides relief as they go through the discomfort of new teeth coming in. Shoes are appealing targets for them during this period. Ensure your puppy has various chew toys available to alleviate teething discomfort and steer them away from your shoes.
6. Your Dog Is Bored
When dogs lack stimulation, they may engage in playful mischief like stealing shoes. Combat boredom by providing interactive toys to keep your dog entertained in your absence.
Conclusion
Your dog may steal your shoes for various reasons, but once you identify the cause, you can take steps to address the behavior. If the shoe theft isn’t damaging and merely a way for your dog to feel close to you, it may not pose a significant concern.
Featured Image Credit: CHNBro3rD, Pixabay
