My 4-year-old dog chews everything she finds; even though she has toys, she prefers to gnaw on our clothes instead. How can I make her understand that she isn't allowed to take our clothes?
Translated from French
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Hi there, at 4 years old it’s usually more about her having access to your clothes (and your scent) rather than her just being 'naughty'. Keeping things out of reach and giving her something to chew on when she’s in a mouthy mood will already help a lot. If you’d like some help locally, whereabouts are you based? I can recommend a dog trainer. Jean de Rintintin
Hi,
To prevent this problem, I’d suggest removing any temptation by putting your clothes away in your wardrobe so she can't reach them. If you ever catch her with a piece of clothing, give a firm "NO" and redirect her attention to one of her toys. Try to identify the root cause; if she’s doing this because she's bored, try increasing her daily exercise. If this behaviour is accompanied by the frantic destruction of anything she finds or signs of marked anxiety, it would be wise to mention it to your vet or consult a dog behaviourist to find out the exact cause.
With consistency, patience, and by making sure you don't leave your things lying around, she'll eventually understand that clothes aren't toys.
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Léo Mettas.
Not a substitute for medical advice – consult a vet if needed
