How Honest Is Your Doodle?

[Camilla and Darwin]

I suppose the title isn't really a great one, because it's less about honesty and more about obedience. But a recent mishap with Darwin has made me ponder this. He has been trained to not go near the garbage can. Our garbage doesn't have a lid, but it hasn't been a problem because we always crate him when gone, and always watch him when home. Even when we aren't paying close attention, he hasn't tried to go near the garbage for a year or so. We have been very diligent in correcting him if he goes near it, and he is aware of that. He knows very well that it's off limits. 

Well DH and I were both in the bedroom hanging photos on the wall, and while we were in there Darwin went to the garbage and ate some stuff out of it. We caught him and he immediately knew it was wrong, he went into his crate and acted pathetic and sad. We were shocked because we can take a nap or leave the room and we are confident he won't go near it. He hasn't even come close for a long time. We assumed that over time, his training was solid enough that he was trustworthy. I guess this time the cream of chicken soup cans were just too tempting, and he really thought we wouldn't see him.

Will your doodle misbehave if he has the opportunity to? Is this a matter of him not being well enough trained, or is it really inescapable to have them go after something if the opportunity presents itself? 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I would never trust my sneaky boys if they really thought I wasn't looking. Here's an example...after Guinness found JD's birthday treats in my closet a few weeks ago he now will sneak in there every chance he gets. He totally knows it's wrong, and he would never ever think of doing it if I was watching. If I'm in the shower and I don't close the closet door really tight, he'll work at it until he can get in there. Once in, he goes through EVERYTHING looking for more of those yummy salmon treats. They are NOT TO BE TRUSTED! Doodles are smart (and they will never forget where the "good stuff" is hidden) and very sneaky. I'm not sure you can ever train to this kind of temptation...chicken soup cans smell yummy.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

LOLOL

Did you honestly believe that your Dood was staying out of the trash?

See photo, taken when our Mastiff was 7. This is a photo of a dog with a CDX

Remember, doodles are SMARTER than Mastiffs! tHEY TRAIN US MUCH MORE QUICKLY. ;-)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I am pretty sure he doesn't get into the trash because every time he does he gets sick. Like, vomiting and diarrhea. So it's pretty obvious when he does do it. We have a really small apartment, 1 bedroom. and the kitchen, dining room and living room are all open, so you can see each room no matter where you are sitting. It's pretty hard for him to sneak anything. Except for this last time apparently.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great mug shot!

[Donna K & Quincy]

There's no hiding the evidence here.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

LOL...I'll say busted!  He is wearing the evidence!!!!

[Michael Gurley]

That is funnier than hilarious!! I can't believe how embarrassed she looks, too!!

 

I so wish I hadn't lost my old phone... it had the pictures of Sunny when she was a puppy and getting into all sorts of stuff.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Is that something like the eye is bigger than the stomach - er the head is bigger than the trash lid...

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

They are NOT TO BE TRUSTED. Too smart. I agree with Jane. Peri would even do something right in front of me if she wanted it enough (such as chicken soup YUM).

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey and Bandit are far to curious, mischievous, and have a taste for far too many non doodle edible items to be "trusted". 

[Linda and Murphy]

In Darwin's defense, what irresistible treat was in the garbage?

[Adina P]

I think dogs are keen opportunists.  Not in a negative, conniving sense...simply in a matter-of-fact sense.  If they can do something and the consequences don't outweigh the joy of doing it...why not?

 

I think it is possible to train a dog to leave food alone, AFTER he has been thoroughly trained in obedience to the point of superb reliability.  But it's not an easy task and not one I've really attempted because, well...first I have to get to the 'superb reliability' part :-).  But I know trainers that 'poison proof' their dogs by concerted training to make them say no to food that is not in their bowl.  It is aversive training though.

 

In the past few months Rosco, my very good dog who doesn't chew things up or steal food...well...he's devoured: 1/2 a muffin, a bag of dinner rolls, a banana peel and half of a large Toblerone bar...among other things.  I don't know what's gotten into him other than perhaps, after 4 years of being 'good' he finally discovered the fun of being 'bad'.  I haven't had to worry about checking the table or counters before for him so it's like I have a new puppy all over again...