How c an I get my 18 mo old labradoodle to stop picking up tings (even off the counter)?

Question

I have tried sprays and when she take something I give her a 'time out' in the bathroom and tell her she is a bad girl and NO
is thee anything else you can suggest?

Answer 1

By the time you punish the dog, she has ZERO idea what the punishment is for. She's got about a 2 second attention span and no reasoning ability to link a 'time out' in the bathroom with something she's stolen in the kitchen.

Here is the very easiest and best method I have found when dealing with inquisitive larger breeds that love to counter surf:

Keep the counters clear.

Just as you would baby-proof your house, you must dog-proof. Don't expect the dog to go against her natural instincts just because that is your wish. That's just not gonna happen. You know she is tempted by items on the counter so leaving things available to her is setting her up for failure. And setting you up for endless frustration.

It is possible to train this behavior out (2nd link below) but it requires a tremendous amount of time and effort since it is what they call a self-rewarding behavior. If you don't have limitless time for dog training, just keep the counters clear.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Take her to basic obedience training, and focus on learning the 'leave it' and 'drop it' commands. Aside from that, you just need to lab-proof your house. If there is anything in her reach that she could damage or that could be harmful to her, move it. keep all off-limits items out of her reach. You could also try bitter apple or vinegar. Retrievers are naturally very mouthy, and they love to carry things. You're not going to over-ride that instinct very easily.

Another idea is to train her to bring things to you. When she steals something, show her a treat, tell her to 'come', and then exchange the treat for the the stolen item. As soon as she gives it to you, praise her and tell her what a good dog she is. Then, give her one of her toys and play with her for a few minutes. Sure, she may bring you lots of things when you don't really need them, but it's a pretty good trade-off!

Have patience! Labs act like puppies until they're about 3 years old, and i'm sure it's similar for Labradoodles.

good luck!

Answer 3

We had the same problem with one of our dogs. She would get food off the counter when we were out of the kitchen or our backs were turned.

You can try using Aluum powder. You get it from the grocery store in the spice section. It has a really bitter taste that dogs don't like, but no smell. We would sprinkle it on a piece of bread and leave it on the counter. Hopefully, your dog is smart and it will stop. My dog didn't care. We eventually put in a door and closed the kitchen. It's now a no animal zone.

Answer 4

Take away the unacceptable object and give her something that is ok for her to play with. She is making a game out of this and dog's don't really understand time outs. Re direct her actions in a positive way.

Answer 5

Try noise. Anytime you catch her going to jump up make a very loud noise to scare her. Even if you have to hide somewhere to watch. It works. They learn that when they go to get on the counter they will hear that noise and usually won't do it. It takes time so don't give up on the first one.

Answer 6

The dog could be teething? Instead of just telling her no when she picks up something, have a bone or something ready that she CAN chew on. Just tell her no to the item, and then give her bone. It may help.

Answer 7

you've got a dog that was bred to retrieve (pick up) things.. then complain when it is doing what it was bred for????

perhaps you should have thought more about what kind of dog you bought first off.

Go to Obedience lessons - learn how to use/teach the command "LEAVE IT", work with her, rather than against.

DO NOT PUNISH A DOG FOR DOING WHAT IT WAS BRED TO DO.

Answer 8

I think Labradoodle is the cutest word I've seen this week.

Answer 9

Find ONE and ONLY one object to spank her with......with my dog, she was VERY disobedient and finally I had to do something about it, i now have this slipper that i spank her with when she does bad, and everytime she is about to do something bad i just have to show her the slipper and say NO and she backs off and behaves only because she knows whats going to happen when that slipper comes out (i guess after getting spanked a few times she learned that she doesnt like it and listens) TRUST ME THIS METHOD WORKS BUT ONLY IF YOU KEEP USING THE SAME SPANKING ITEM, DO NOT CHANGE IT ON HER BECAUSE THEN YOUR DOG WILL BE AFRAID OF EVERYTHING YOU BRING OUT, AND PLEASE DONT USE YOUR HAND THEY WILL GET SCARED OF THAT EVEN IF YOURE NOT SCOLDING THEM. Good Luck! =)

Answer 10

get a shock collar, set it low real low, then do what you gotta do. raise the level slowly until you get the desired response. if it doesn't work even though the dog is reacting, bust it on the *** like a catholic nun with a ruler at a marilyn manson concert (wooden spoons work well) i say wooden spoon because you dont want the damn dog being like the bumpasse's dogs on a christmas story and grabbing your turkey.