2006-07-09 01:03:42 · 18 answers · asked by FootballFan 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had this problem, too. Both of our puppies were sock thieves - even though we had lots of other toys for them, they preferred chewing my socks to smithereens. Then one day I sat down and gave some thought to the problem and here's what I came up with:
1. Chewing up my socks is not aggressive behavior. Quite the opposite - purposely singling out my socks is actually a sign of their affection for me. They're intentionally preferring to play with something that is heavy with my scent.
2. Of all the personal items I own, socks are by far the cheapest. In fact, they're way cheaper than the stuffed and rubber toys we buy for the pups.
3. Is my frustration with their sock thievery an issue of economics? No, like I said - if they're going to chew something personal, it's the cheapest thing they could chew. Is it a matter of discipline? No, not really. I have to admit that they are generally very well behaved puppies. Is it a matter of intentional destructiveness? No - like I said, it's actually a sign of their affection for me. Is it a matter of control? Well, um, yes. I have to admit that this is it. I didn't want them to chew my socks...they were chewing my socks. It boiled down to a matter of who was going to win this battle...me or the puppies.
About a second and a half after I realized that, I also realized what an immature and selfish attitude it was on my part. It wasn't even an issue of dominance - they weren't even trying to show dominance over me, they simply wanted to play with something that had my scent. My anger was primarily the result of the fact that they were doing something I didn't want them to do and, doggone it, I wanted to WIN this battle. If that was the principle thing behind this for me, it was a pretty petty and childish attitude on my part.
This made the solution pretty simple. I buy some really cheap socks once in a while, wear them a couple of times...and then let them lay around for the puppies. It's an incredibly cheap toy for them, they love them to pieces (quite literally!), and as long as they're chewing my socks they're not chewing up anything that really matters. Problem solved! It no longer bothers me at all. I highly recommend this solution to the "problem".
2006-07-09 03:08:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
1. Maintain the socks out of his reach. Plenty of dogs die from consuming socks... I know of one who ate a sock and the elastic unraveled in his intestines.. Fee about $20,000 to save the canine. 2. Educate your dog. I coach what I name the "alternate" sport... The place the canine trades you the sock for a high worth treat- Of direction, my puppies are allowed to opt for up some thing on the floor and that i praise them for it (are you able to assume the seem your dog gives you while you tell him he is a just right canine for taking a sock?) then I offer them probably the most scrumptious deal with ever (at the least except they get the sport). You might have considered trying to try a scorching dog and many others.. However YOU have to no longer show interest within the sock, your interest is in giving the canine this yummy to die for deal with (at which point the canine must drop the sock). Whenever you instruct this sport your canine may just select up your complete floor to alternate for treats (I play this recreation whilst i am talking on the phone.. Lol- and grow to be with a counter filled with stuff to put away). Excellent success!
2016-08-09 00:05:30 · answer #2 · answered by piekarski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not, dogs are a lot like young children. You really have to "baby-proof" your house. This means an extra responsibility to keep items you don't want them playing with out of their reach. Especially dangerous items.
As for sock-nabbing, your only solutions are to either pick up the socks, or beat him mercilessly when he does it. I hope you choose the first suggestion.
2006-07-09 02:09:55 · answer #3 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one million. Keep the socks out of his achieve. A LOT of puppies die from consuming socks... I recognize of one that ate a sock and the elastic unraveled in his intestines.. fee approximately $20,000 to save lots of the puppy. two. Train your puppy. I educate what I name the "alternate" recreation... wherein the puppy trades you the sock for a top importance deal with- Of path, my puppies are allowed to select up whatever at the ground and I PRAISE them for it (are you able to assume the appear your puppy will provide you while you inform him he is a well puppy for taking a sock?) then I present them essentially the most delicious deal with ever (no less than till they get the sport). You might desire to take a look at a scorching puppy and so forth.. however YOU ought to now not exhibit curiosity within the sock, your curiosity is in giving the puppy this yummy to die for deal with (at which factor the puppy must drop the sock). Once you educate this recreation your puppy might select up your complete ground to alternate for treats (I play this recreation whilst I'm speakme at the telephone.. lol- and turn out to be with a counter filled with stuff to position away). Good good fortune!
2016-08-20 10:44:01 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
another alternative to bakbiter's suggestion above is instead of using pepper you can purchase some "bitter apple" spray at the pet store and spray it on a sock and leave it out for you dog. he won't like socks after he gets a taste of it. that was a tip from my puppy trainer on how to resolve puppies from biting things around the house.
2006-07-09 01:14:27 · answer #5 · answered by serenity_817 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
believe it or not, i had the same problem. i solved it by putting some red pepper in an old sock, and leave it where he can find it. before long, he'll hate those things. so much so, that now he'll start attacking anyone's feet who are wearing only socks.
2006-07-09 01:10:37 · answer #6 · answered by bakbiter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's funnier than heck. My cat goes into the dryer when I'm emptying it and runs off with mine !
Seriously, if he doesn't chew or bury them, what's the problem?
If he takes them after you remove them from your feet, he's just cozying up to the "comforting" smell of you on them.
2006-07-09 08:40:50 · answer #7 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put socks:
1.on feet
2. in a laundry basket/hamper
3. in washing mechine
4. in a drawer
2006-07-09 01:08:32 · answer #8 · answered by reba 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bitter apple.
2006-07-09 02:16:24 · answer #9 · answered by lovin'life 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes that is a big problem all you have to do is smack his bum everytime. that is actualy the best sulution for your problem but not to hard otherwise he wont like you anymore
2006-07-09 01:23:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋