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? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I kind of doubt that the doodles have the foresight to weigh consequences short of severe beatings maybe. I guess if they were fearful enough they might avoid certain behaviors.My doodles got lovely, gift wrapped thin rawhide rolls stuffed with chicken. They were at least a foot long. I left them in the middle of the dining room table where I thought they were safe. Calla is on what she considers to be a starvation diet; she gets 1/4 to 1/2 half cup less of food a day. Well she managed to sniff out, unwrap and consume both of the rawhide logs. Now any doodle around here knows that would result in a major balling out. She took it like a stand up girl and spent the night in her downstairs crate away from the "pack".But she'd eat another two in a heartbeat if she could. But the aversive poison proofing doesn't sound like something I'd consider. Although another DK member's house was burglarized. She told me that her dogs had been "poisoned" during the incident but that they were OK. We only spoke briefly so I'm not sure of the details but I'd guess they were sedated somehow.

[Adina P]

I am not talking about the dog sitting there and thinking about the future ... but simply that if they have learned sticking their nose in a trash can yields a dangerous result...then they would avoid it. If it's merely a matter of being caught or not...they will risk it.

[BG and Gavin]

Don't tell the burglars, but they certainly would not have to sedate Gavin.  He dosen't say a word when strangers approach.  In fact I believe he would lead them inside and show them where all the good stuff is.  No watch dog here!

[Donna K & Quincy]

A friend of mine recently had her dog eat 12 fresh baked blueberry muffins, not as much as a loose stool. Quincy is not into stealing food but any piece of paper or tissue is fair game. I recently took the garbage bag out of the can and set it on the floor beside the can, he doesn't usually bother the garbage even in a situation like this, did he steal the chicken bones, no, he took the paper napkin. Lucky for us Quincy always tells on himself if he has something he is not supposed to, if you hear him moving quickly he has something he is not supposed to have.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

When you consider how hard it is for us to resist temptations and we are well aware of the consequences, it's not at all surprising that dogs will be dogs.  I wouldn't put it past Murphy at all. Our garbage has a lid, so that speaks to how much I trust him!

He would act the same way too, go off all pathetic and remorseful looking. You know the look, head down, eyes looking up at you like they are begging for forgiveness. Do I think he is not well trained? Not at all. Do I expect "superb reliablity" ? hahaha! Not nearly.

[Adina P]

I think the 'consequences' have to seem immediately dangerous.  So it's not that they sit there and weigh the pros and cons.  Not just 'my mom will be mad' -- that's too far removed form the incident.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

Trashcan with lid, go to page one and see "Mug Shot" of Bella! LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

I did see that picture. I think the stepcans, particularly large, heavy metal ones work better but I bet some doodles would conquer them TG my doodles haven't done so yet and for sure I won't help teach them!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Do you think my friend Donna's doodle Bear learned anything from this little foray into the trash can?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Another one.  That is two dogs that have worn the evidence!!

[BG and Gavin]

It's the new style e-collar!

[Adina P]

I think that would cure Rosco!  He's so afraid of things falling on him--particularly baby gates since we have one we often lean on a doorway and it fell on him when he was a pup.  If I could just rig our free floating-moves-where-it-needs-to-be-used baby gate to 'fall' (slowly and without injuring him) from the ceiling as a trap the next 2-3 times he gets close to table surfing...he'd probably NEVER touch the table again!