How do I get my dog to stop getting into things when I turn my back?

Question

My husband and I have a boxer/lab mix that we got from a shelter. He is approximately a year and a half. He has been through training already and does ok with standard commands, when he's calm. He's just very stubborn at times.

Anyway, here's the deal. There are times when I am home alone with our dog and even if he's calm and being lazy, if I turn my back to go to the restroom, go to another bedroom, do the dishes, etc. he will usually get something off of the dining room table or somewhere else, go under our coffee table and proceed to chew and swallow whatever he has gotten into. We have rawhides, kong balls, ham bones, etc. for him to chew & play with. We crate him when we go to bed at night and when we are out of the house. We walk him about every 4 hrs or so to go to the bathroom because we do not have a fenced in yard. We take him for long walks, short walks, play with him, etc. Nothing we do seems to change anything. Do we have to crate him everytime we go to the bathroom?????

Answer 1

you know, this is a tough one.It doesn't matter how much exercise or treats you give a dog like that ,lol if there is a "goody" on the table or counter and he wants it bad enough, he will take it.
Some dogs are just this way.And the more you punish this type of dog,the more he learns .....don't do it when someone is looking.We had a dog like this once.And i had children, so it was very hard to "just keep things put away".My son would be sitting at the table eating then get up to get a drink...and I'll be darned if that dog didn't get in the chair and try to take my son's food.GRR!
All I can offer is a few tips ,they may not solve the issue.But can help m ake things easier.

Make sure your dog gets enough to eat

do not feed him human food...at all

have him checked for tape worms

try very hard not to leave things out

if you are haveing a get together in your home where food must be left out....crate your dog.

you may even crate your dog at all of your meal times..or anything where food is involved.He may eventually get the hint.And pick up all food b4 you let him out.

If you catch him in the act try and take away the food the crate him.Maybe put some of his food in the crate with him.as if to say that is not yours,this is.

make sure he gets enough exercise.

Either way, if you continue to allow him to get away with this, the problem will get worse.He may even begin to snatch food from your hands.

Again, these suggestions may not solve the problem but may help a little.try speaking to your vet or purhaps get him into a training school.

Answer 2

If you think he's waiting for the opportunity (dogs are very smart that way), then 'fake him out'. Go into the bathroom, then come right back out without him knowing. Sneak up on him & catch him in the act. You will need to scold him pretty hard. Do this a few times. Dogs do feel bad when they're 'busted', and get scolded. Also, with cats & dogs, you have to be consistent.

Answer 3

>>>Do we have to crate him everytime we go to the bathroom?????<<<

For now....yes. Or take him with you. Do NOT leave him unsupervised. All you are doing is teaching him he CAN get into things when you're gone. And don't leave things around for him to get into. You KNOW he will take this stuff, don't leave it there for him.

Make sure he's getting enough exercise. A tired dog is a good dog. And enrol him in advanced obedience class or maybe agility, to give him something to do.

Answer 4

Yes. If he can't be trusted to be alone, then you either need to bring him with you or crate him.

Also, if you know the dog gets into things, put "things" away. While you may like things on the table, if he's getting into them, then it's not exactly his fault.

Good luck to both of you and congrats on rescuing this pup. : )