My almost 4 month old Cairn Terrier loves to run off with slippers, small stuffed animals, towels, etc. which are all items we do not want him to have. We shout "No" very loud which startles him and briefly stops him from trying to get the item, but he goes right back to trying to get the item as quick as possible. If he does get the item he runs away with it or if you go to punish him for trying to get the item he runs away from you so you can't punish him. I know this is mostly puppy nature but what can we do to stop him from getting items we don't want him to have.
2007-02-02 07:52:40 · 7 answers · asked by mikey_3005 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
well you have to 'trade' give him something to chew that is okay!
dont yell say NO firm on what you dont want chewed and give something that is OK. praise chewing on the toy that is okay.
keep pup out of stuff just like kids they will chew and chasing them is a game...ex pen him if the trade is not working...make him know that is not fun to chew "not okay" items..playwith him with the okay to chew items...dogs want to have fun they will avoid what is NOT fun
2007-02-02 07:59:29 · answer #1 · answered by brokerman74067 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
That's a Terrier - they are tenacious and independent, and have been for thousands of years. This is how they've survived! But, even these characteristics can be managed so that everyone in your house is happy. I would totally remove all of the objects he likes to grab from his reach. Your whole family will need to help with this, which will also help them to be more aware of the dog. Put all of the dog's toys away, too.
Then, play with him with one toy. Have a bowl full of really wonderful treats handy - diced chicken or ham, or cheese (or all of these!) would be great. Any treat that he goes bonkers for (oh, and he should be hungry, too) Play with him and the toy (a soft toy that you can hold and tug with is ideal) Play with him, keep hold of the toy, and present a treat to him. This is called 'object exchange' - and you need to play this with your dog a lot. Don't play this with other dogs in the room. You are teaching your dog that when he gives something to you, he will get paid for it, which is what was missing from your description.
If he will not let go of something, do not struggle with him or "No!" at him - just hang on to his collar, and make the toy go 'dead'. He will drop it eventually.
Keep rewarding this 'give' behavior. Remember that dogs don't speak English, so try to not talk to him when you first start. Do this and you aon't have a resource-guarding terrier on your hands! Good luck!
2007-02-02 15:13:51 · answer #2 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like the dog doesn't understand the hierarchy of the "pack". Take him for walks at least 30 min a day and make sure he walks next to you, not in front of you. You have to establish yourself as the "alpha dog". Also, have a toy he likes nearby at home and when you take the slipper away from him say no to the slipper then give him the toy.
2007-02-02 07:59:17 · answer #3 · answered by joey m 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When he grabs stuff you don't want him to have, give him one of his toys instead and tell hi mgood boy when he drops your slipper and takes his toy. You have to be consistent with him. Also, he is still a little puppy. Usually when they are around 2 years old, they settle down and are easier to train.
2007-02-02 08:02:18 · answer #4 · answered by xquis81 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you could try spraying some Bitter Apple on the items. Some dogs hate the taste, some don't. My dogs hates it and ignores everything I spray with Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange. You could also try a squirt bottle and squirt him whenever he is running off with something.
2007-02-02 07:59:56 · answer #5 · answered by Velvet 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like it wants to play. Try and get it a toy that it will be interested in.
2007-02-02 07:57:46 · answer #6 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
um put the items up or have one set up so that when he grabs it you can get a hold of him to give him proper punishment
2007-02-02 07:58:21 · answer #7 · answered by Here i am 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋