Stop Dogs Thieving Habit

Dogs are scavengers by nature.Learning how to stop a dogs thieving habit is what we are talking about here.It is quite normal for a dog to steal items,especially food from garbage cans,counter tops and kitchen tables.It smells good and they can't help themselves.Aside from being annoying,stealing could a very dangerous problem.

Picture this,your lovely little pooch decides to see what's for dinner.He puts his front paws up on the stove and promptly pulls a pan of hot liquid down onto the floor.Worse yet he pulls that pan of hot stuff down onto him.Ouch!Or he goes counter surfing and knocks some glassware onto the floor breaking it into little pieces which he steps on and cuts his paw.Doggie doctor here we come.

There are several reasons why dogs steal things.Counter surfing or table snatching may be simply that your dog has a taste for the finer things in life like people food.He's hungry or at least looking for a tasty treat to eat.Just think of a kid getting a cookie out of a cookie jar.Your dog may steal things because it is fun and he gets away with it.Again think of a kid with his hand in the cookie jar when no one is looking and after he has been told not to.

Some dogs steal items because they really don't know any better.No one has taught them right from wrong.Dogs will take things to get your attention.It is a whole lot of doggie fun to take your shoe or sock and run away while you attempt to catch them.They know you can't catch them.Can you hear them laughing?

Taking things they shouldn't could be also be a symptom of separation anxiety.They can smell you on your clothes or shoes and it helps them feel closer to you.Being bored can also lead to a dogs stealing habit.

But regardless that doesn't mean you have to stand for this type of behaviour.You need to determine the exact reason why your dog is a thief and put an end to it.

First,start by observing when your dog is misbehaving.Is he hungry?Are you paying attention to him?Have you been gone alot?Is he bored?Keeping a close eye on him is crucial to intervening at the proper moment.Catching him in the act of stealing and telling him "No" in a stern tone of voice will usually get his attention.Don't punish him when he does wrong but do praise him when he does right.

If he counter surfs or table swipes,you can help yourself by keeping things as far out of his reach as possible.Never feed him table scraps as this does cultivate his taste for people food.Only feed him his regular food and only in his bowl in his special spot.You could try giving him a toy or his favorite chew bone while you eat your dinner if he begs at the table.This should keep him occupied while you eat.

If your dog steals clothing you might consider allowing him to have an old shirt of yours.Perhaps put it in his bed or sleeping area.Your scent may enough comfort and help to alleviate any separation anxiety he has.

If your dog is the artful dodger, grabs your shoes and runs.You could try heading him off by applying an antichew liquid to your shoes(just make sure it doesn't stain your shoes first).The awful taste may be enough to turn him off to the idea of grab and run.Giving him more attention,like long walks together or playing a game of hide and go seek may just solve your dogs stealing problem.Remember he wants to be with you.

Finally you may have to break out the squirt gun.As he trys to counter surf or eyeballs your shoe,give him a squirt.He won't be hurt but he won't like it either.But if catching him in the act or bribing him doesn't work you may need some sort of obedience training.Defining his limits until he understands usually solves a lot of dog problems.