How do you teach your dog to stay off of tables and not eat bad things off the ground?

Question

I have a Golden Retriever puppy (1 1/2 years old) and she climbs on the table and eats everything off of it when you're not looking for a second- I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

A squirt bottle filled with water works for some dogs, but since it's a golden retriever it may think you are just playing. My parent's have a golden and she thinks the squirt bottle is the greatest thing ever invented. With my Boston Terrier, a quick squirt and "No!" stops him in his tracks every time

Another option: Take an empty soda can and put about 5-6 pennies in the can. Don't crush the can, but dent it up a bit. When you see your dog starting to get into something she is not supposed to, give the can a good shake and firmly tell her no. It is suprisingly effective. When our Boston was a puppy, we made a few up and kept them around the house so we would always have one handy.

Answer 2

Typically dogs learn really well by association. Whenever your dog does something bad (climbing on the table/eating bad things) you could tap her firmly(but not too hard) on the nose with a rolled up newspaper/magazine. It doesn't hurt at all (if you don't believe me then do it to yourself and you'll see I'm right). You should also say 'No!' or 'Bad Dog!' in a stern voice. Make sure that the tone you use is distinctly different from your regular tone. After doing this for a few weeks (this is how long it took my dogs, but yours may be a little sharper...lol) she'll associate the sight and sound of a rolled newspaper/magazine and you voice with her bad behaviour. When she begins to make this connection you should also reward her when she listens to you. So say she i about to jump onto the table but then sees you roll up a newspaper and stops you should wait a second or two and then pat her on the head. Say 'Good Dog!' or 'Well Done!' in a chirpy upbeat voice and maybe even give her a small bit of her favourite treat. Remember that the gap in between her listening and you rewarding is important as you don't want her to think you are encouraging her to do something bad. Eventually she will listen to your vocal commands without any need for newspapers/treats. Always remember that your dog is intelligent. People too often think they are brainless drones who do what is told to them. That's wrong!!! Each dog has a personality and temperment of their own. I have 2 dogs and I have purposefully taught them nothing more than the basic tricks-sit, stay and shake (ok the last one was mym sis' idea...i'm not a big fan of it). Thus they have had the same opportunity as I have in my childhood to develop a personality that is my own. I know they are this way not because I say so, it's because others (friends and foe) have told me that are! Respect your dog and adapt to her as she will adapt to you. This respect will make her training quicker and in the future she will have a better understanding of what you need from her and vice-versa. Allow her a few faults as they make her who she is. Plus I'm sure she allows you to do plenty of things she doesn't approve of. I hope it all works out :-).

Answer 3

teach zen. check the link for how. http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/Levels/LevelBehaviours/TL26Zen.html
Another idea is to booby trap it. Put something really good on the table and tie soda cans full of pennies to it with strings. Go hide around the corner and wait. When he pulls it off the table, he will freak out due to the noise. Go in take the food before he gets it (very important) and completely freak out for 2 minutes. Pitch a fit, act like the world is coming to and end. Shout mary had a little lamb at the top of you lungs if you must. Make it a bad experience that he will remember. You may have to repeat this but most dogs get it the first time.

Answer 4

don't hit your dog. even if it's a little pop on the nose. violence is never the answer because the dog could try to get back at you. the spray bottle works but eventually you have to wean them off and it no longer has the same effect. try to teach them leave it. i taught my dog this by putting him on a leash and setting a treat about two feet from him. tell him leave it and if he/she goes for it immediately pull them back and once they stop pulling say OKAY! and let them have the treat. this worked with my lab mix Blue. if I need to turn around for a brief moment i simply say leave it and he does.

Answer 5

Teach your dog because it's your dog and it's your responsibility to train it and care for it.

Answer 6

Spray diluted vinegar at her.

Some might say spraying Vinegar at your dog is a bit harsh, but you can be sure she'll get the message.

(1.5 years old is NOT a puppy)

Answer 7

get a lil water gun and everytime the dog does something wrong spray her in the face , and if it doesn't work flick her on the nose . thats how i trained my dogs. but my friend uses a shock collar for his doblermens

Answer 8

Watch the video "Dissing your dog" by Will Farrell. Very informative on these matters

Answer 9

don't give him any table food.
and put something realy nasty in the stuff that u don't want him to eat and he'll sniff i and wouln't like it


DON'T BEAT HIM WITH ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
because if someone was to brake in and he brought a newspaper to frighten him he would be scared. and beating ur dog will make him mean.

and don't spray any vinagar at her that will make him/her mad at u and it might not like u anymore.

Answer 10

Smack the dog and point to the area. Never smacked a dog...saw it done on TLC. Tell me of ot works.