my dog is 3 years old and is a shelter dog. he was never taught any better so he eats anything and everything that is left out and tears apart the garbage if its left out when we leave, and will even take food from my 3 year old and off the highchair. any tried and true ways to stop this behavior is an older dog?
2007-12-02 11:50:50 · 5 answers · asked by jessie s 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
In my younger days overseas I trained dogs in obedience. I hope what I share will help you, as dogs are as individual as people: First, start by not leaving food out where he can reach it. To be fair to the animal, understand that scrounging and scavenging is a survival instinct, and he doesn't mean to be "bad".
Of course, you do want him to stop so let me offer these few suggestions: With regard to food in the trash, dump in a half a cup of bleach. This should discourage him from eating the garbage. After a while he won't bother.
As far as him taking stuff off of the table or from your child, that's different and it requires timing: Have your dog on a six foot leather leash to start this training along with a choke chain that fits appropriately. Note: DO NOT LEAVE THE CHOKE COLLAR ON WHEN YOU ARE DONE. This is a training tool only. When the dog goes for the food, someone on the other end of the leash must snap the leash pulling him back and say in no uncertain terms: NO!
Timing is critical because you have to catch him in the act and yank him back at the same time. Otherwise he won't relate the action with the discipline.
We use a 6 foot leather leash because of the action of the leather, and the 6 foot distance so that the animal will associate the behavior with the action of the leash and not associate it with being next to you.
This is one reason I stressed in lessons for clients not to keep a short tight leash on their dogs because the dog senses tension from the owner and associates that with standing next to them.
I hope that this helps. This won't disappear overnight, but if you are consistent and everyone in the family is on the same page about this you should be able to correct him. Still, you will always need to be aware of his survival habits and not leave things out where he can get to them.
When he knows that he is safe and fed and what his limits are he will settle regarding this. Good luck.
2007-12-02 12:08:41 · answer #1 · answered by talondora 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! It sounds like you have a problem. My dog used to do the same thing. First thing that I did was I made sure that I was giving my dog enough real dog food. I also made sure that she liked her food. Turns out she did not like her food and that was why she didn't eat it. You could also try placing your trash bin in a cabinet and trying your best not to leave food out. That way your dog will not even be tempted. If all else fails sprinkle hot sauce on some decoy food. Most dogs HATE hot sauce.That way your dog will learn that food that is not in his/her food bowl is not good. I hope this helps!
2007-12-02 12:25:36 · answer #2 · answered by BermudaChick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't leave your dog unattended. Crate him when you are not home and at night. Don't leave garbage out for him to get into. Put him outside (or in the crate) when your child is eating...
2007-12-02 11:57:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop leaving stuff out. That's the first step.
2007-12-02 11:55:02 · answer #4 · answered by That's not my name 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Supervision, a crate for when you can't watch him
2007-12-02 11:58:34 · answer #5 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋