Dear Daisy Dog
Zoe, our 2-year-old Labrador retriever, steals our shoes and carries them around the house. She doesn’t chew them, but she often drops them where we can’t find them. She has plenty of toys. Does she need more attention?
Daisy Responds
We dogs always appreciate more attention, but it’s unlikely to alter Zoe’s shoe carrying behavior.
Zoe is a retriever, so nature tells her to carry things in her mouth.
My brothers Sam, a golden retriever, and Jack, a standard poodle, are both retrievers who carry things out the doggie door to the fenced backyard, where they chew them.
Dad has found the remains of his shoes, slippers – and even his wallet – outside.
So consider yourself lucky that Zoe only hides your shoes.
The best solution is to put your shoes where they belong: in the closet.
The more time-consuming solution is to teach Zoe what things she can put in her mouth and what she must leave alone.
Wouldn’t it just be easier to put your shoes away?
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