Monday, March 19, 2007
Thieving... how can you stop it?
So your dogs thieve food in the kitchen.
It is NOT their fault.
It is YOUR fault.
I well remember our first rescue dog and the first night we had him... we had three stacking cake tins and they were in a cupboard... he still managed to get at and eat the chocolate cake which was in the bottom tin! The resultant upset stomach was not a pleasant experience!
He was amazingly quick too if you happened to drop anything somehow he always managed to appear from nowhere and eat whatever before it touched the floor.
We'll never forget about the 'almost frozen' sausages which I'd taken from the freezer for lunch... the 'phone rang, and I had to rush to answer it... he must have had a very cold spot in his tummy. Mind you he didn't mind cold things, and adored ice-cream, he could persuade anyone to give up their ice-creams to him - just by sitting in front of them and gazing longingly. Those eyes!
It is no good chastising them after the event, even seconds after... it is too late then.
You must clear away all food, close all doors. Close the door to the kitchen if necessary.
If they have learnt to open any of these doors... you MUST make the actual opening of the door an unpleasant experience. Get a noisy alarm set up on the door which you can set each time you leave them alone.
Once they learn it is unpleasant to thieve when you are away you will be able to reinforce their good behaviour [of not thieving] with a treat when you return.
It is NOT their fault.
It is YOUR fault.
I well remember our first rescue dog and the first night we had him... we had three stacking cake tins and they were in a cupboard... he still managed to get at and eat the chocolate cake which was in the bottom tin! The resultant upset stomach was not a pleasant experience!
He was amazingly quick too if you happened to drop anything somehow he always managed to appear from nowhere and eat whatever before it touched the floor.
We'll never forget about the 'almost frozen' sausages which I'd taken from the freezer for lunch... the 'phone rang, and I had to rush to answer it... he must have had a very cold spot in his tummy. Mind you he didn't mind cold things, and adored ice-cream, he could persuade anyone to give up their ice-creams to him - just by sitting in front of them and gazing longingly. Those eyes!
It is no good chastising them after the event, even seconds after... it is too late then.
You must clear away all food, close all doors. Close the door to the kitchen if necessary.
If they have learnt to open any of these doors... you MUST make the actual opening of the door an unpleasant experience. Get a noisy alarm set up on the door which you can set each time you leave them alone.
Once they learn it is unpleasant to thieve when you are away you will be able to reinforce their good behaviour [of not thieving] with a treat when you return.
Labels: preventing stealing, stealing food
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