Spice up his life. Putting a dash of hot pepper sauce on whatever your pet is chewing will quickly quell his desire to come back for more, says Gutierrez, who sometimes uses Tabasco sauce. Have bad scents. Most pets dislike the smell of perfumes and colognes, so Gutierrez recommends mixing one part perfume with ten parts water and spraying the solution on whatever your pet shouldn't be chewing. Hide the shoes.
People often wonder why pets always seem to go for their favorite belongings.
The reason, says Palika, is that these objects smell like you. Your pet thrives on your scent, especially when you're gone. Shoes are a real favorite, she adds. Not only are they overflowing with your scent, but the leather is fun to chew. Panel of Advisers Bob Gutierrez is animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.