Finding your favorite shoes covered in bite marks or discovering that your dog has started chewing the legs of your furniture can be frustrating. But destructive chewing is usually not your dog being “bad.” Chewing is a normal and important behavior for dogs, especially puppies and young dogs.
The good news is that you can teach your dog what is appropriate to chew while protecting your furniture, shoes, and other belongings.
If you're wondering how to stop dog chewing furniture and shoes, the most effective approach is to combine training, prevention, exercise, mental stimulation, and suitable chew alternatives.
In this guide, you'll learn why dogs chew furniture and shoes, how to stop the behavior, what mistakes to avoid, and what to do if your dog continues chewing despite your efforts.
Why Do Dogs Chew Furniture and Shoes?
Before trying to stop your dog from chewing, it helps to understand why dogs chew things in the first place.
Chewing serves several purposes for dogs. Identifying the reason behind the behavior can make your training much more effective.
1. Puppies Explore With Their Mouths
Puppies investigate the world using their mouths. Just as human babies touch and grab objects, puppies often bite and chew whatever they can reach.
Shoes, furniture, rugs, remote controls, and other household items can become attractive because they have interesting textures, smells, and shapes.
Puppy chewing can also increase during teething when their gums feel uncomfortable.
2. Teething Can Increase Chewing
Puppies typically experience significant teething during their early months. As baby teeth fall out and adult teeth develop, chewing can provide relief from uncomfortable gums.
During this stage, it is especially important to provide safe, puppy-appropriate chew options.
Rather than trying to eliminate chewing completely, your goal should be to redirect chewing toward appropriate objects.
3. Your Dog May Be Bored
A dog that doesn't receive enough physical activity or mental stimulation may find its own entertainment.
Unfortunately, that entertainment could involve destroying your sofa.
Dogs need more than food and a place to sleep. Regular walks, play sessions, training exercises, sniffing activities, and interactive toys can help prevent boredom-related chewing.
4. Anxiety or Stress Can Cause Destructive Chewing
Some dogs chew when they feel stressed, anxious, or uncomfortable.
If your dog primarily destroys furniture or shoes when left alone, separation-related distress could be contributing to the problem.
Look for other signs such as excessive barking, whining, pacing, scratching at doors, drooling, or attempts to escape.
If destructive behavior is severe or happens mainly when your dog is alone, consider speaking with a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional.
5. Chewing Can Become a Habit
Sometimes the original reason for chewing disappears, but the behavior continues simply because your dog has learned that chewing certain objects is rewarding.
For example, your dog may discover that an old shoe is fun to chew because it has an interesting texture and smells like you.
Once the behavior becomes rewarding, your dog may repeat it.
How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing Furniture and Shoes
The most effective solution isn't simply telling your dog “no.”
Instead, use a combination of prevention, redirection, training, and positive reinforcement.
Step 1: Remove Access to Shoes and Valuable Items
The easiest way to stop destructive chewing is to prevent your dog from practicing it.
If shoes are left on the floor, your dog has an opportunity to chew them.
Put shoes inside a closed cupboard, closet, or container. Keep clothing, children's toys, remote controls, books, and other tempting objects out of reach.
This is especially important when you're training a puppy.
Remember:
Every time your dog successfully chews a forbidden object, the behavior can become more established.
Management isn't a replacement for training, but it makes training much easier.
Step 2: Make Furniture Less Accessible
If your dog repeatedly chews a particular chair, sofa, table, or cabinet, change the environment temporarily.
You might use a pet-safe barrier to prevent access or rearrange the room so your dog cannot easily reach the target.
For example, if your puppy repeatedly chews the legs of a table, block access to that area when you aren't actively supervising.
The objective is to give your dog fewer opportunities to make the wrong choice.
Step 3: Give Your Dog Appropriate Chew Alternatives
Your dog needs something appropriate to chew.
Simply removing shoes and furniture without providing alternatives can leave your dog searching for another object.
Keep several safe, dog-appropriate chew options available and rotate them regularly to maintain interest.
Different dogs prefer different textures, so observe what your dog enjoys.
Always choose chew products that are appropriate for your dog's size, age, chewing style, and health needs, and supervise chewing when necessary.
Step 4: Redirect Your Dog Immediately
If you catch your dog chewing furniture, calmly interrupt the behavior.
Avoid yelling or frightening your dog.
Instead, redirect your dog toward an appropriate chew item.
For example:
Dog chews furniture → calmly interrupt → offer appropriate chew → praise when dog chews it.
Timing matters.
Your dog needs to understand which behavior earns your attention and approval.
When your dog starts chewing the correct item, praise enthusiastically or offer an appropriate reward.
Over time, your dog learns:
“Chewing this is good. Chewing furniture isn't rewarding.”
Step 5: Reward Good Choices
Positive reinforcement is one of the most useful tools for changing chewing behavior.
Don't wait until your dog does something wrong.
Look for moments when your dog makes the right choice.
If your dog walks past your shoes without touching them, reward the calm behavior.
If your dog chooses a chew toy instead of furniture, praise your dog.
If your puppy settles down and chews its own toy, reinforce that behavior.
You're teaching your dog what you want rather than focusing entirely on what you don't want.
How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing Shoes
Shoes can be particularly attractive to dogs because they carry strong human scents.
They also have interesting textures, laces, rubber sections, and edges that can be fun to chew.
Keep Shoes Completely Out of Reach
During training, don't rely on your dog to resist temptation.
Store shoes somewhere inaccessible.
This is particularly important with puppies and dogs that have already developed a shoe-chewing habit.
Never Give Old Shoes as Toys
Giving your dog an old shoe to chew may seem harmless, but it can create confusion.
Your dog doesn't necessarily understand why one shoe is acceptable while another shoe is forbidden.
From the dog's perspective, both are shoes.
Instead, provide designated chew items that clearly differ from household belongings.
Reward Your Dog for Ignoring Shoes
Place shoes somewhere your dog can see them while keeping them safely out of reach.
When your dog looks at the shoes and chooses not to approach them, reward the calm behavior.
With consistent practice, your dog can learn that ignoring shoes is rewarding.
How to Stop Your Dog From Chewing Furniture
Furniture chewing can be more difficult because furniture is large and usually cannot simply be removed.
Identify the Furniture Your Dog Targets
Does your dog chew:
-
Sofa corners?
-
Wooden table legs?
-
Chair legs?
-
Cushions?
-
Carpet near furniture?
-
Cabinet corners?
Identifying the specific target can help you understand the behavior.
Increase Supervision
When your dog is in the room with tempting furniture, keep an eye on its behavior.
If you notice your dog approaching the usual chewing location, redirect it before chewing begins.
Prevention is easier than correcting a behavior after it has become rewarding.
Provide an Alternative Nearby
Place an appropriate chew item near areas where your dog commonly starts chewing.
For example, if your dog likes chewing the sofa corner, keep an approved chew option nearby.
When your dog approaches the sofa, redirect it toward the appropriate item.
Once your dog chooses the correct object, reward it.
Give Your Dog a Job
Dogs are more likely to get into trouble when they have nothing interesting to do.
Try activities such as:
-
Short obedience training sessions
-
Food puzzles
-
Sniffing games
-
Interactive toys
-
Hide-and-seek games
-
Fetch
-
Tug
-
Scent games
-
Supervised chewing
Mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercise.
Increase Your Dog's Physical Exercise
A dog with excess energy may look for an outlet.
Regular physical activity can help, although the appropriate amount depends on your dog's age, breed, health, and individual needs.
Depending on your dog's abilities, activities might include walking, playing fetch, swimming, hiking, or interactive play.
Don't suddenly increase exercise dramatically, particularly for puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with health concerns.
If you're unsure how much exercise your dog needs, ask your veterinarian.
Give Your Dog More Mental Stimulation
Physical exercise isn't the only solution.
Many dogs benefit from activities that make them think.
Try simple enrichment activities such as:
Food Puzzle Toys
Puzzle feeders can encourage dogs to work for part of their food rather than eating everything from a bowl.
Sniffing Games
Hide small portions of your dog's regular food around a safe area and encourage your dog to find them.
Sniffing can provide useful mental stimulation.
Short Training Sessions
Practice simple behaviors such as:
-
Sit
-
Stay
-
Come
-
Leave it
-
Drop it
-
Place
Keep sessions short and positive.
Training doesn't need to take 30 minutes. Even five to ten minutes of focused practice can be useful.
Teach the “Leave It” Command
“Leave it” can be extremely helpful when teaching your dog not to interact with inappropriate objects.
Start with something low-value rather than beginning with your dog's favorite shoe.
Hold an object where your dog can see it.
When your dog moves toward it, use your chosen cue, such as “leave it.”
When your dog stops trying to reach the object and turns away, reward the behavior.
Gradually increase the difficulty as your dog improves.
The goal is not to repeatedly shout “leave it” after your dog has already grabbed something.
Instead, teach the cue through controlled practice so your dog understands what it means.
Teach the “Drop It” Command
“Leave it” and “drop it” serve different purposes.
Leave it means don't pick that up.
Drop it means release something already in your mouth.
Practice “drop it” with an appropriate toy.
When your dog releases the toy, reward the behavior and return the toy when appropriate.
This can teach your dog that releasing an object doesn't necessarily mean losing everything.
That can reduce the temptation to run away with objects or guard them.
What Not to Do When Your Dog Chews Furniture
Some common reactions can actually make the problem worse.
Don't Punish Your Dog After the Fact
If you discover a destroyed shoe several hours after it happened, scolding your dog is unlikely to teach the intended lesson.
Your dog may not connect your anger with the earlier chewing.
Focus instead on prevention and training.
Don't Chase Your Dog
If your dog grabs a shoe and you immediately chase it, the situation can become a game.
Your dog may learn:
“Stealing shoes makes my human chase me.”
Instead, calmly encourage your dog to exchange the item for an appropriate toy or reward when safe to do so.
Don't Hit or Intimidate Your Dog
Physical punishment can damage trust and may increase fear or anxiety.
It doesn't teach your dog what you want it to chew.
Training should focus on preventing unwanted behavior and rewarding appropriate alternatives.
Create a Dog-Proof Area
When you cannot supervise your dog, consider using a safe, dog-proofed area.
Depending on your situation, this could be a puppy pen, a properly prepared room, or another safe area.
Remove valuable or dangerous objects.
Provide appropriate bedding, water, and safe enrichment items as appropriate.
The goal isn't to isolate your dog as punishment.
It's to create an environment where your dog can succeed while you're unable to supervise.
What If Your Dog Only Chews When You're Away?
Pay close attention to the timing.
If your dog behaves normally when you're home but destroys doors, furniture, shoes, or other items primarily when left alone, separation-related anxiety may be involved.
Other possible signs include:
-
Excessive barking or whining
-
Pacing
-
Drooling
-
Scratching doors
-
Attempting to escape
-
Toileting indoors despite being house-trained
-
Destructive behavior around exit points
If these signs are present, simply giving your dog a chew toy may not solve the underlying issue.
Talk to your veterinarian or a qualified canine behavior professional for guidance.
When Should You Contact a Veterinarian?
Chewing is normal, but sudden or extreme changes in chewing behavior deserve attention.
Contact your veterinarian if your dog suddenly starts chewing unusual objects or shows other concerning symptoms.
You should also seek professional advice if your dog repeatedly swallows non-food objects.
Some objects can cause serious gastrointestinal problems if swallowed.
Professional help is also appropriate when destructive behavior is severe, persistent, associated with anxiety, or difficult to manage despite consistent training.
A Simple Daily Routine to Reduce Chewing
A predictable routine can make it easier for your dog to succeed.
A typical day might include:
Morning:
A walk followed by breakfast and a short training session.
Midday:
A safe chew or food puzzle during a quiet period.
Afternoon:
A short play or sniffing activity.
Evening:
A walk, interactive play, and another brief training session.
Before bedtime:
A calm activity and an appropriate chew.
The exact routine should be adjusted to your dog's age, health, breed, and energy level.
Consistency is more important than creating a complicated schedule.
How Long Does It Take to Stop Furniture and Shoe Chewing?
There isn't a universal timeline.
Some dogs improve within days when their environment is properly managed and they receive appropriate alternatives.
Others may need several weeks or longer, particularly if the behavior has been practiced for a long time.
Puppies may also require more supervision because they're still learning household rules.
The key is consistency.
If you allow your dog to chew shoes one day but punish the behavior the next, the rules become unclear.
Everyone in the household should follow the same approach.
Quick Checklist: Stop Your Dog From Chewing
If you're trying to figure out how to stop dog chewing furniture and shoes, start with these steps:
-
Remove shoes and valuable objects from your dog's reach.
-
Limit access to furniture when you cannot supervise.
-
Provide safe and appropriate chew alternatives.
-
Rotate chew items to maintain interest.
-
Redirect inappropriate chewing calmly.
-
Reward your dog for choosing appropriate items.
-
Increase physical exercise when appropriate.
-
Add daily mental stimulation.
-
Teach “leave it” and “drop it.”
-
Avoid punishment, yelling, and chasing.
-
Watch for signs of anxiety or stress.
-
Get professional help if the behavior is severe or persistent.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to stop your dog chewing furniture and shoes is less about stopping chewing and more about teaching your dog where chewing is appropriate.
Your dog has a natural need to chew. Instead of trying to eliminate that instinct, give it a safe outlet.
Start by managing the environment, keeping shoes and tempting objects out of reach, providing appropriate chew alternatives, and supervising your dog whenever possible.
Then reinforce good decisions. When your dog chooses its own chew item instead of your sofa or favorite shoes, reward that choice.
With patience, consistency, exercise, enrichment, and positive training, most dogs can learn that furniture and shoes are off-limits while appropriate chew items are perfectly acceptable.
And remember: the goal isn't to have a dog that never wants to chew. The goal is to have a dog that knows what it is allowed to chew.