Why do dogs grab non-food items:
- Puppies explore the world with their mouth
- Adult dogs do this for attention:
- Yelling and chasing makes a great game for your dog
- Negative attention is still attention
- Stealing food is self reinforcing on its own (they get a tasty treat)
Prevention:
- Doggie Proof the home – put everything away
- Keep your dog out of the kitchen when preparing food
- Use a crate with stuffed Kong or dinner when preparing food
- Teach a “leave-it” command (do several times per week, short sessions)
- Drop a low value food item like a carrot on the floor & immediately step on item
- Say “Leave-it” and wait until your dog looks at you
- Reward with a high value (meat based) treat the instant he looks at you
- Repeat (do not let your dog get the item dropped)
- Teach a “drop-it” command (do several times per week, short sessions)
- Drop an item like a sock or paper towel (not food)
- Allow dog to pick up the item
- Show dog high value (meat based) treat and ask dog to “drop-it”
- Reward with treat the intstant the dog drops the item (reward with one hand, while you pick up dropped item with other hand)
- Repeat
- Baby gates to limit territory
- When unable to supervise use a crate or fenced in yard
- Doggie daycare or doggie play dates
- Puzzle toys & Kongs with frozen canned food or peanut butter
Responses:
- Trade items for high value treat or toy
- Ask for alternative behavior (sit)
- Double-sided sticky tape on end of counters
- Set up item with yucky tasting spray on it and let dog come to own conclusion (Bitter Apple Spray, Capsaicin Roll on)
Adapted From/Reading Material: “Take Control But Don’t Lose Control: Help for people with Dogs that are Excellent Human Trainers”
Reading Material: “Mine!” by Jean Donaldson
