Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: constant stealing HELP
Hi All
truffs is nearly 6 months old an an angel in all things except that she steals constantly if our backs are turned. SHe knows when she has taken something that she shouldn't have cause she looks at you in her special way. we try not to chase her to get it back cause thats the game i think , when she does give it back to us we thank her and give a small treat and then play catch or something that she fancies doing. how can we stop her - will she just grow out of it- or we going about it the right way?
I have the same problem with Oscar! We've tried 2 different approaches, and to be honest i really couldn't say that either have worked!
So, the one we're doing at the moment is just to follow, not chase per se, him around until he either tires out, get's bored, or backs himself into a corner, then we tell him to drop it, and if he doesn't, I (gently) take it from him whilst saying drop.
Now I know that some people would disagree with me for taking something from his mouth, but ultimately, I prefer being able to do this, knowing that he isn't going to snap at me, or growl at me - especially if he had something potentially harmful in his mouth.
when you get back what she has stolen - you give her a treat and then play with her?
So this is how her mind is working 'if i steal this.... have a play with it - give it back... i get food and a play'
lol - your right not to chase her (although sometimes you just have to depending whats in her mouth) lol
I would get back the item.... if she gives then thats great, if you have to fight for it - i would teach her a give command, by showing her something 'better' than what she has in her mouth (a really nice treat) only give her treats while teaching her the give command untill shes giving with no treats - otherwise you'll have the same problem i just described
If she knows a give command and isnt doing so, then i would ignore her (i know it does depend whats in her mouth as to being safe for her and for whaever shes holding) untill she is bored with the same
but a give command usually is one of the best commands one can teach!
What kind of things is truffles taking?, do you mean counter surfing the work tops or stuff like the tv remote?
With things low down, all you can really do is put them out of reach and try to remember not to leave food etc out on worktops (this is CJ`s fav place ).
Also try teaching the drop or give command, which ever is easiest for you, as Oscarsmummy says this is a good idea in case Truffles ever picks up something that could be harmful to her.
You can do this with her favourite toy, don`t fight her for it get her to willingley hand it over, to begin with you can swap it for a treat then give it back, if she has something she shouldn`t try doing a swap either for a treat or her favourite toy
Now I know that some people would disagree with me for taking something from his mouth, but ultimately, I prefer being able to do this, knowing that he isn't going to snap at me, or growl at me - especially if he had something potentially harmful in his mouth.
I agree with you there compleatly - its a great thing to know you can take something from a dogs mouth without any hassle of snapping etc.... obviously the only thing i would say is never to make a habit of taking everything out of his mouth (as he will then think everything in his mouth including his own toys are going to be taken)
- especially food that is his... but as far as things that you both know arnt his - taking it directly off him should make a point that you CAN and will do that because it isnt his place to have them - if you see what i mean
to get used to getting to the stage where you can take from a dogs mouth would be to take and give back (if he can have the item) that way he isnt associating your taking from him something which he will never get back
Basil is mad for this, particularly with Teddys, shoes and other soft things. Like socks
We have never punished it, or raised the value of it by following him around.
Luckily this means he generally wants us to know he has it, he doesnt hides and mostly brings it to show-off
When he was very small we had a house leash (a thin bit of mylon thread 1m long) BUT we always kept him in the same room (for safety with the leash). The house lead meant he was never able to enter into a game of chase so it never became rewarding in that way.
We have taught him a good solid drop and always reward it for handing back his bounty (even though its very hard to praise him for drooling on your new underwear sometimes).
I have not really found a solution to this, just prevention and then a drop.
The laundry basket has a lid, shoes are on a shoe rack and the teddy in the spare room he steals everytime he is there
thanks all, maybe i didn't make myself clear but we are doing all the things you've said asking her to give etc..we do try our best to keep things out of her way but think she's cleverer than us !!!!!! As to what she takes Mary its anything that takes her fancy especially my slippers even when they are on the chair not the floor. Still she's soooo cute and already walking at heel looking up at me and comes when she's called even if she is engrossed in something when we are in the fields not all bad is it. She's going on her hols to the kennels in a couple of days the guy trains gun dogs and dogs with bad behavoir (though he says its th eowners not the dogs with the behaviour!!!) so shes going to have a couple of sessions with him whilst she's there. xx
If you have trained a give then it's just about making sure she never gets to keep anything for long enough to be rewarding.
She will do it less as she gets older, its just a petience test for us in the meantime.
I know what you mean about slippers, we can't leave Basil in the same room as socks or slippers - he will try steal the socks of your feet.
I don't want to interfere but It doesnt sound like bad behaviour as such - I'm sure you will but just make sure you undertsand what the training will involve. after all you won't be there.
I am so glad I have found this web site, I thought my puppy was the only dog doing this, she is 8 months old and constantly steals things from the kitchen worktops and we are always finding childrens socks in the garden which have been eaten and passed through her.
Also she is always jumping up at everyone who comes in the house any ideas on this?
I sometimes feel as if I have taken on too much with a lab!!
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