Behavior

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4 min read

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Why Do Golden Retrievers Like Socks

Behavior

|

4 min read

|

Why Do Golden Retrievers Like Socks

Common

Irregular


Introduction

Teddy is unpredictable and although he is well-behaved and calm, he sometimes can do things that are unexpected and against everything you have taught him. Sometimes, you find Teddy chewing on things that he is not supposed to chew on like your socks, for instance. For some reason, Teddy loves to eat your socks and when you try to take them away, he may even swallow them. This is extremely odd to you and it even feels bothersome for Teddy’s health. Due to this, you have now decided to go on a search and discover why Golden Retrievers like to chew on their owner’s socks. 

The Root of the Behavior

As you probably already know, Golden Retrievers are energetic dogs. They love to chew on things, they love to play, and they absolutely love receiving attention. Sometimes though, you never know what Teddy is going to do, despite how calm he is for a Golden Retriever. Teddy can easily get bored and he needs an outlet for his energy. Yet, chewing on your socks is probably not the best way to go. In fact, you may be wondering why Teddy has chosen your socks to chew on over another item in your house and there is actually a good reason for it. Your socks smell, even if you think they are clean. To you, the smell of your sock is disgusting but to your dog, it is like a bouquet of flowers that smell like you and Teddy absolutely loves you. Golden Retrievers are more likely to chew on your socks because they tend to chew on household items more often than other breeds and they also are extremely loyal animals. 

When your dog chews on your socks, it is his way of connecting with you and to him, it feels really good. Your feet secrete oil and sweat, which holds the strongest scent of you. Although it may not smell very good to you, your dog can sense the pheromones in your sweat, which hold social information that tells a lot about you. You may have noticed that your dog loves to smell your crotch region or you may have noticed that there are certain other items that your dog loves to chew on like your underwear. Yet, sometimes Teddy may chew on your sock just because it is there. Dogs who have anxiety, boredom, and high energy levels will want something to do and if they find your sock, they are going to chew on it because it occupies their time. 

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Encouraging the Behavior

Dogs love to chew on things. Whether you give your dog a chew toy or a sock, they are going to love it because it is part of their canine nature. Yet, your sock is more desirable because to your dog, it is like a special treat. You are not going to want your dog to chew on your socks because they could choke on them and because you need to wear them, preferably without holes and dog slobber. Due to this, you may want to get your dog a toy that has a soft texture like your sock and put your scent on it. This can make it more appealing to your dog when they go to chew on a toy. 

In fact, your dog may love to chew on your sock because the scent sometimes can act as therapy. If Teddy has anxiety or is worried, chewing on something that smells good and feels safe can reduce his negative emotional state. Therefore, it is suggested to spend time with your dog or find another avenue that can help your dog with their emotional issues. Secondly, you should probably keep your laundry out of sight or at least out of reach. Make sure to not leave socks or underwear lying around and make sure your laundry basket has a lid or is in a place where your dog cannot reach it. 

Other Solutions and Considerations

Teddy is a Golden Retriever and Golden Retrievers have a lot of energy. You want to make sure that you take him outside as often as you can so he can exercise and release a lot of his hyper energy. This will keep him calm when he is back in the house and he will not be as likely to get into your laundry. You may also want to crate train your dog when you are not at home, which can help with training your dog. There are other ways to keep your things away from your dog. You may want to consider purchasing a spray that you can put on your socks. There are sprays that taste and smell bad, which keeps your dog from liking your socks or any other possession that they tend to chew on. If you are still struggling with your dog's behavioral traits, you can talk to a behavioralist or take your dog to the veterinarian. 

Conclusion

Teddy is your best friend. In fact, he loves you more than anyone else in the world. Yet, sometimes his loyalty and love for you can be frustrating because he loves to chew on certain items of your clothing. Although it may seem cute at first, you are going to need to teach Teddy that it is not okay to chew on your things. It is recommended that you take your dog to the veterinarian if you are concerned your dog may have a medical issue

Written by a Golden Retriever lover Erika Seidel

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 04/20/2018, edited: 01/30/2020

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