Stealing . .my supper!

[Cherita]

There's no denying it - after owning 11 (well behaved) dogs over a period of nearly 40 years, I am quickly loosing faith in my ability to train my 6 month old puppy NOT TO STEAL! Dylan is a chocolate Lab, bought in UK and brought home to live with us in Italy. Showed his strong character right from when we first met - 9 weeks old - and has always tried to challenge any 'no'.

Have attended obedience training classes where he always showed willing to learn. The trouble has always been the kitchen where the slightest distraction on my part whilst preparing food has proved disastrous - today an enormous slice of foccacia and a large piece of Cheddar this evening.

'Keep him out the kitchen' you might say but I have never had to with all my other dogs. The other day it was my son's sunglasses - just paid Euro 180!

Dylan will leave things if I move away from him, then call and reward . . but obviously not when he has food in his mouth. Of course, I don't always catch him in the act of stealing - just find the consequences. Even if I see him 'searching' and tell him 'No' I blink my eyes and he has done the naughty deed! He is not just after items left at his level - it's up on hind legs and let's have a human's eye-view!

And there was I thinking I could manage any dog, especially puppy. We live in the country where Dylan has a large garden in which to play and we always spend lots of time talking and playing with our dogs. Keeping to the rules to show him who is Leader- ignoring his playful morning greetings, (eating ) first from his bowl at meal times etc- he never bothers us when we are sitting at the dining table for our meal and does not beg.

So all you dog owners/lovers/trainers out there . . any sound suggestions or advice? Let me know what you think.

[Muggsmom]

Don't you just love a strong-willed dog!! Have you tried setting him up? Leave something on the counter, hide with a shaker can, and toss it just as he reaches for his "treat". The trick is not to let him know the noise comes from you. Also, try covering something yummy - like cheese - in cayenne pepper. Actually, you'll probably have to use several different types of food. This worked to keep my trouble-maker out of the garbage. Also soaking food in a solution of alum and water works as well. Tastes very bitter.

Are you chasing him to get the food away from him? He may think he's playing a game with you.

Most important, smile!!! He won't be a puppy forever, just the next 2 yrs or so.

Just a few thoughts.
Good luck.

[Cherita]

Thanks for the tips Muggsmom. I do try not to chase him when he steals, but by calling him and rewarding am I praising him for stealing?! And if he won't 'leave' or come when the object is harmful . . ?

[kuritsa18]

I would suggest being very diligent about not leaving food on the counter or any where in reach like a table and not leaving him unattended in the kitchen until the problem is solved. Your pup needs to know that this is not his food and it is not ok to steel. If you are feeding him people food i would stop as he might think that it's ok to steel if he thinks its his food too. Also, as soon as you see him sniffing or trying to jump or 'counter surffing' say NO in a loud firm voice so he knows its not good and tell him to go/keave the room. You could alos try getting him to ly down on the floor away from the counter s he can still see ehat you are doing but he is not near the food so he is not tempted to stell it. If you catch him steeling something make sure he knows that was really bad by puting him on a time out or giving him a smack on the nose, not too hard but just hard enough so they get the point.

I had this problem too. My dog stole some food a few times but as soon as I started doing this she knew it was really bad and has stopped.

Good Luck!

[Cherita]

Thanks Kuritsa, I must admit though that I have already tried the things you suggest. It happens mostly in those moments of distraction . . phone ringing etc. The point is it is not just food - it's anything - 'If my toys are on the floor, lets see whats on the counter!'

I've never banned my dogs from the house and would hate to have to. This little laddie does not understand No. . .that tap on his nose or quarters is forgotten after 10 seconds!

His meal tmes are different from ours and he behaves perfectly. He is patient, he sits and waits for 'take it' command. He never worries us whilst we are eating.

. . .until my next installment!

[kuritsa18]

Since she doesn't respond to anthing thing you try it sounds like she doesn't take you seriously. This could have to do with obedience and leadership. The dog needs to know that you are in charge, that you are the leader, and that what you say goes; she just doesn't respect you. You need to establish with her that you are the 'dominant dog', 'pack leader', ect. This can be done through training. You can look up differtn training methods on the internet or you could try taking her to obedience classes to teach her this and it would be great for you also to learn new techniques on training and how to properly acheive 'dominant dog status'

Also, you said that when you leave the room, get distracted that's when she goes for the food (counter surfing). You could try setting her up. Go in the kitchen and do as you normally do then leave the room but wait around the corner and spy on her to see what she does. As soon as you see her going for the food on the counter or 'counter surfing' quickly whip around the corner back into the kitchen and in a firm loud voice say NO. She will not be expecting this and she won't know what hit her; she thinks you are gone and she can do as she pleases now but really you are watching her. Also, try prettending you are distracted so she thinks you are not paying attention or looking and then when you see her go for it say in a loud firm voice NO. It is very important to catch the dog in the act of doing the bad thing so they know this behaviour I was doing right now is bad. If you catch her after the fact and then punish her it won't have same impact because dogs can't associate cause and affect the same way people do; she knows she is in trouble for having the food but she can't associate that she took it that's why she has it and is now in trouble. If you keep doing this she should learn pretty quickly

Another suggestion because you can't keep an eye on her all the time is to simply keep her out of the kitchen if you know you can't watch her. You don't have to ban her from the house or all the time in the kitchen but you need to have some kind of control measure over her to stop the behaviour other wise it will never stop. You can get baby gates to block off the entrance to the kitchen or anything that will block the door.

[luvbostons]

My mini beagle was the same way. My husband was cutting up toppings for pizza one night, and he left the kitchen, and the dog was in another room with me. We came out of that room, and I did not know the food was on the table. My husband asked who has been eating the cut up stuff. We both looked at each other and knew immediately that it was the dog. He jumps up on the table!! We have just learned to keep things out of his reach. We have to put our recycle bin on top of the trash can when we leave to keep him out of both of them. If your dog eats the wrong stuff he can get sick! One time my beagle got into the trash, right after we got him, and I had to call the vet and induce vomiting, or he would have died!! He looked like a pregnant female! Not good!!
I don't know how big your dog is, but you will have to be consciencious of leaving food anywhere he can reach it. Even if the phone just rings, push the food back as far on the counter as you can, before you leave the counter. Or put him in a crate when you are handling food. I hope this helps some.