Training technique needed to stop from stealing

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

I realize i asked this in comment section rather than in discussion. So here i go again. I am terrified of my 18 month old GD ingesting an article of clothing. She is constantly stealing socks, undies, etc from mostly my daughters room. We try everything to keep her out but even if i drop something doing laundry, in 1 second shes got it. I realize it is a common trait in a lot of these dogs but how can i reprogram her to stop this behavior. Thank you.

[BG and Gavin]

Teach the “off” and “take it” commands.  Hold a treat in front of the  dog’s nose and when the dog goes to take it say “offff” nice and close to their face (don't shout, your proximity will make her take note) and when the dog  turned away from the food re-offer it as a reward saying “take it.”  Then practiced during feeding time not allowing her to touch his food until you said “take it.”  From there progress to setting her up in a training situation with a sock.  Keep her on a long line.  When she goes for the sock use your off command.  When she looks at you give her the treat.  Start with you close to the item, then gradually move away further and further.  You are still keeping control of the long line so you can correct and bring her toward you if she goes for it.  Gradually go around a corner (out of sight) etc.  It will take lots of dedication and consistency and it is vital that nothing is left out until you accomplish this training, as she must not be allowed to practice bad behaviour.  Do several training sessions per day and continue to practice while she is eating.  At the end of the training session give her a high value chew (like a bully stick) for a couple of minutes as the reward for leaving the sock alone.  Please keep us posted on your progress.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is perfect advice.  The key to this method is not allowing her to make a mistake.....so you need to be diligent in keeping things off the floor while you're in training.  I would also use pretty high value rewards especially for the more difficult exercises (like when you're around the corner).

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And maybe some rewards for your daughter for keeping everything picked up.

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

Thats funny. She is 24 and ideally her socks would be tough for Bay to get FROM HER OWN APARTMENT! :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I had to crack up when I read this.  I thought we were talking about a toddler not being able to keep their things picked up.  I'm thinking that possibly you should find some pictures on line of a puppy who has had to have  surgery to remove an item like a  sock or something and show some of them to your daughter.  It is pretty sad to think they go through this when it really is avoidable.  You might also show  her samples of the bills that people have gotten because of this and show her how much it is going to cost "her" if this should happen.  It is as simple as closing the door if nothing else.  All easy for me to say since I don't have a daughter, but it really needs addressed in a manner that she understands because the training won't happen overnight and these accidents happen so quickly.  Good Luck

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

OOPS! My kids are much worse with t

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

Thank you for this great advice. We will start trying this method tmrw. She is highly treat motivated so I can see this working for us. Will keep you posted.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I would also add a "drop it" to this training.  That way should she happen to get something when you aren't looking you can just say "drop it" and then she gets a treat (keep some in  your pockets at all times during these training sessions).  That way instead of feeling the need to immediately swallow the sock or whatever it is, she will drop it in exchange for a yummy treat!

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

I've been teaching Yarrow 'drop it' and offering a treat (her regular kibble) for releasing whatever she had in her mouth.  But I think the little monkey has turned the tables on me. 

This is what it think she has figured out in her cute little head - "If I take something in my mouth that is not one of my toys, mama says drop it, and when I let go, I get a reward. So, if I want a treat, all I have to do is take something in my mouth (like mama's pant leg or boot lace or a rock) and she will give me a treat for dropping it.'

What makes me think she has figured this out? She looks deep into my eyes to make sure I am looking, and lets go before I even get the words out. She lets go at 'dr...' and sits looking so pleased with herself.

I read that standard poodles (Yarrow's father's genes) can be intellectual snobs who don't suffer fools easily.  If they think they can outsmart you, they will and you'll be in big trouble.

Me thinks I may be in big trouble here.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's the trouble with "treat training" with some dogs.  My mini Doodle was always too smart for treat training.....I would get the desired behavior ONLY when I had a treat that he could see or smell.  I actually had to move to using collar corrections or "time outs" for some things (like heeling or jumping). 

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Hmmm.  I think Yarrow is still too young for leash corrections.  She is 12 weeks old tomorrow and still very much a baby. A very precocious baby, but still ... 

I'm feeling conflicted.  Using treats, she responds so quickly.  But I can see how she would be like your mini Doodle, responding ONLY for the treat.  I can see the benefit of working without treats.  My dilemma is how to praise her without instigating excitement? I'm running out of bandaids and old clothes.

She has not had one potty accident in two weeks, since she figured out the dog door.  But when she comes back in, she sits near the treat bag hanging behind the door, looking up at it and at me.  She knows that the good puppy who pees outside gets a treat.  I am all too aware who has who trained here.

Such a clever breed is quite a challenge.  That's why I am overjoyed that I have found this site.  I need all the help I can get.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yes, 12 weeks may be a bit young for collar corrections (I usually think around 5 months is a great time for the formal training to begin), but you can still "correct" her with a stern (but calm) voice correction or a time out.  Also for a young puppy I think treats work well to reward the behaviors you are looking for.  As they get older though, I've found my dogs need a combination of correction and reward to really get consistent obedience.