Why chewing is a coping strategy — not bad behaviour
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“How do I stop my dog chewing shoes? I tell him off when I find them chewed, and I know he knows it was wrong — but he keeps doing it.”
This situation is frustrating, especially when it feels repetitive. But there’s an important misunderstanding hidden in that sentence — and once it’s cleared up, the behaviour usually makes much more sense.
Dogs Don’t Connect the Past to the Present
Dogs live very much in the now.
If you discover a chewed shoe hours later and react angrily, your dog has no way of connecting your response to the earlier behaviour. The consequence is no longer linked to the action — so no learning takes place.
What your dog does understand is emotional energy.
When you raise your voice, tense up, or express frustration, your dog reads that immediately — but not the reason behind it.
This is why “telling them off later” rarely changes chewing behaviour.
The “Guilty Look” Isn’t Guilt
Many owners say:
“But he knows he did something wrong — he looks sad when I find the shoe.”
That look isn’t guilt. It’s a learned response.
Your dog has noticed that when humans sound angry or upset, the safest response is to lower their body, soften their expression, or appear submissive. When that reaction causes the tension to stop, the dog learns to repeat it.
This isn’t manipulation.
It’s survival.
Your dog isn’t saying, “I’m sorry I chewed the shoe.”
They’re saying, “I sense discomfort — how do I make this stop?”
Understanding this shifts how we respond.
So Why Do Dogs Chew?
Chewing isn’t bad behaviour — it’s self-soothing.
Dogs chew because:
They’re teething
They’re bored or under-stimulated
They’re anxious or unsettled
Chewing releases endorphins, which help dogs regulate stress and emotion. That’s why it often shows up when dogs are left alone, overstimulated, or unsure how to settle.
This is why chewing is often addressed most effectively through dog behaviour training, not punishment
Management Matters More Than Discipline
One of the simplest (and most overlooked) solutions is environment management.
Leather shoes are made from animal hide. To a dog, they smell incredible — especially because they also carry your scent. Expecting a dog to resist that temptation without guidance or management is unrealistic.
If shoes, cushions, or children’s toys are left within reach, chewing is likely to happen.
Setting dogs up for success often means:
removing temptation
providing appropriate chew outlets
creating calm routines
This isn’t “giving in” — it’s leadership.
What To Do If You Catch Your Dog Chewing
If you do catch your dog in the act, how you respond matters.
There’s no need to yell, hit, or lose your temper. Those reactions create confusion and can increase anxiety — which often leads to more chewing later.
Instead:
stay calm
interrupt the behaviour
remove the item
guide your dog away
This communicates clarity without fear.
The message becomes:
“That item isn’t available to you — here’s what is.”
This type of response is part of owner coaching and behaviour change, where dogs learn boundaries without stress.
Chewing Can Be a Sign of Emotional Imbalance
When chewing is excessive or destructive, it’s often a sign that a dog is struggling to settle or self-regulate.
In many cases, chewing overlaps with anxiety or emotional overload, particularly in dogs who find it difficult to relax when alone or after stimulation
Addressing the underlying state of mind — not just the symptom — is what creates lasting change.
Final Thought
Chewing isn’t disobedience.
It’s communication.
When we stop assuming dogs “know better” and start understanding why behaviours happen, our responses naturally become calmer, clearer, and more effective.
With the right structure, guidance, and outlets, most chewing behaviours fade on their own — because the dog no longer needs them.
