My dog has the same problem too. He is a 10+ months of Spitx Terrier. So far, 6 pairs of my shoes has gone. Eventhough I have placed my shoe on top of a cupboard but he can still reach but jumping.
Every time, after I found out he repeated his same mistake, I will go to him and he will started to act innocent. His eye-sight was filled with guilt. But still! He repeated again.
Then sambal belacan or nam phrik phao should be better. chilli powder won't hold, but you can smear some sambal belacan on the shoe and it'll stay there.
But how do I apply the same strategy to books? My dog has been chewing up my books. I'd rather not empty the lowest shelf of all my bookcases if I don't have to.
i thoght of something when i was just about to fall asleep last night or was it just before i woke up this morning...
oh well...
anyway...
you could go to a pharmacy or something and buy those special clear varnish things they use to train PEOPLE not to bite their nails. My mum bought some for a guy who came to stay with us for awhile and i tried some on. they taste absolutely HORRENDOUS, just a lick and i was ready to throw up!
you might spread some on the shelves and books.
they don't smell or anything and it is like a clear varnish... so you won't ruin anything!
oh. never heard of anything like that. I'm not sure if it'd be good for my books. I did use a clear varnish once for my nails at the suggestion of a music teacher when I found my nails were a bit too soft to pluck properly.