Especially those of little dogs.

I have a chihuahua/sitz tzu mix dog. She's over a year old and has just recently begun chewing on everything. She got a carton of cigarettes off the desk (don't ask me how) and chewed a little hole in one of the packs. For the past several months I've had to dig pairs of clean panties out of her cage that she drags in there with her. That's my main question. Does anyone else have a problem with their dogs suddenly developing a chewing habit, panty stealing habit? I don't think she's chewing or eating them.. more or less sleeping on them. It's just really strange. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

my chihuahuah's like to sleep on clothes too. do u have chewing toys for your lil one? that seems to keep mine away from our stuff. if u have a spray bottle with water i would just spray her with water every time u catch her doing something wrong.

get a chew toy? like one said get the water and spray stuff at her when she starts or get one of those clickers?

Ps there's a mini red or blue if u go 2 a pet store target walmart I think its call kong not sure put penut butter in it as a treat snack and keepin the dog busy 2 get the pb out!

they make sprays that are chewing deterants. it makes it taste bad and they normally leave it alone. we used that with our wennie dog and it really seemed to help as well as keep a lot of different toys around so he doesn't get bored with them and when he starts chewing on something he's not supposed to if you catch him show him what he should be chewing on

Hahah, my miniature dachshunds LOVE to be pantie thieves! Chewing on random things, though, can represent boredom.. try playing fetch or talking the dogy for a walk to see if that helps. Does she have a good selection of chew/squeaky toys? For things that aren't my clothes, I use a dog repellent spray that I got from PetSmart.. it's a HORRIBLE smell to them, but I can't smell it at all. Good luck!

I have a little Papillon and he likes to gather my clothes up and sleep on them. I'm not sure why but it's quite cute. haha he doesn't chew them or anything..

There are some sprays that you can buy at pet stores to stop dogs from chewing on things (vinegar works good too). You could put it on some specific stuff that you don't want him to chew. It works really well for my dog.

How is he getting your panties? Do you keep them somewhere she can easily get them or is she opening the drawer? If they are in a drawer you could put some of the spray on the drawer...

Hey, good idea! Thank you!

I have a shitzu/maltese and he does the exact same thing - steals my panties! I thought it was just him and his crazy ways but obviously its a normal dog habit! I have a laundry basket in my room and if I don't keep the door closed he will go into my room and drag out my underwear and chew them. Even if I hide my underwear under other clothing he will dig them out. He's 4 and I think this habit has been going on since he was about 2 as well, because I remember vivid he chewed a $30 pair of new lacy underwear :(

You can buy this granular stuff that deters dogs, but that's a bit messy for inside the house. Dogs HATE the smell of citronella, so if you have a cadle or a spray of that keep it around where you want your dog to keep away. That will definitely work, otherwise either ask your vet or local pet store.

Okay, I think they might even have some of those candles on sale since it's near the end of summer. Thanks for the ideas!

I dont think your dog can help it though. Id totally take your underwear ;)

Chewing is often a sign of boredom. Exercise her more. Even though she is a small dog, she still needs plenty of it, each day.
Also best way to stop her chewing your stuff is to keep them out of reach/out of sight. If she can't get it, she can't chew it.
I dunno if you have Kongs over there (google dog kongs)... but get one of those and stuff it with treats and it will entertain her for hours (they have to work at getting the treats out... its great).
Also, she may just like the scent of your stuff. Give her an old t-shirt of yours in her bedding. Might be all she needs.

Yeah, we need to actually take her for a walk. It'll be easier to exercise her since I'm not working as much as before. Thank you for the ideas!

that's a good idea

Genes is right. Get her some good chewing toys. My sister's maltese/dachshund loves chewing on Nylabone keys. The good thing about chewing is it helps their teeth so your dog won't have much plaque build-up and need a lot of dental work. My dog is not a chewer but my sister's is, and his teeth and breath are great. My dog's... not so much. lol.

I've had dogs all my life and they're my best friends...My dogs have chewed everything from shoes to underwear to the coffee table! LOL. And what I have found is that chewing is a sign of boredom (as Genes said) or a sign that you're not spending enough time with the dogs. Sometimes if the dog feels neglected, he/she will chew on your stuff to get your attention, and they almost always chew the things of the person that they love the most and want to spend more time with. Hope that helps Tam-Tam!

there are sprays out there to help break the dogs of the habit... but honestly, if you have to use it so much they just start to get used to it over time. my dog (chihuahua/terrier mix) chewed tons of holes into my boxspring... it looks like swiss cheese. he was just trying to get to the wooden frame to chew on. he has toys to chew on but it didn't mean much. he's eaten through the drywall, he's eatin bits of carpet, he's chewed pieces of my clothes clear off... he really likes denim... the button hole area of jeans mostly. though he's also gotten to a tshirt that had fallen to the floor and i had to throw it away. he chews cardboard too. i thought -other than clothes and cardboard- his chewing had improved but he just started chewing up my wall in my new apartment now too. on top of his chewing, i have a new puppy. she chews cardboard and whatever my older dog chews, she has to copy him. they have a couple of nylabones that keep them busy but it doesn't stop them from nibbling other things. i don't have advice other than to try the sprays.. it may work for you. get lots of chew bones. i also have a squirt bottle filled with water. i love my dogs but the chewing isn't cute. i just have to keep my eyes on them. anyway, good luck.

DOGS LIKE CHEWING, YO. YOU CAN BUY THEM CHEWY THINGS. WHEN I WAS A KID, WE ALWAYS BOUGHT CHEWIES FOR OUR DOGGIES AND THEY CHEWED THEM ALL THE TIME. LIKE, DOGS NEED ATTENTION. YOU HAVE TO THROW THE CHEWY THING AND THEN THEY RUN AFTER IT AND YOU GRAB IT FROM THEIR MOUTH AND HAVE A PLAY FIGHT WITH THEM. AND THEN YOU THROW IT AGAIN. AND SO ON, AND WHEN THE DOG IS ALL TIRED IT WILL LIE AND CHEW THE CHEWY.

BUT GOSH, YO - HOW IS YOUR DOG GETTING YOUR PANTIES? LIKE YOU SHOULD KEEP THEM IN YOUR TOP DRAWER, WHICH IS TOO HIGH FOR A DOG TO REACH, AND MOST DOGS CAN'T OPEN DRAWERS ANYWAY.

I keep them in the laundry basket in the bedroom.

Our dog chews stuff when he is left alone. He has BAD separation anxiety. He has even chewed through his metal crate! I have found that what Genes said about exercise and boredom really does help. :-)