No, I don't think training a dog to be sensible indoors is absurd. I do that type of training constantly, all day everyday. But I choose my battles ... I don't leave things down when I know the temptation may be too great or when I may not be in 100% supervision mode.
What I do think is absurd is that Spirit, at 9 months, should know that the pair of boots beside the chair is off limits. I always put my boots up, and my shoes in the closet.
I don't have a wild dog -- hah, I'm feeling defensive now
He doesn't chew the furniture, he doesn't pull the tablecloth off the table, he doesn't chew my pillows, my home is intact. But he does have his weaknesses -- the garbage can, chewing anything that fits in his mouth and is not attached to something. I put the garbage can where he can't get to it easily, and I keep things picked up.
Am I bad that I specifically have not taught him not to chew a boot?