Hi all, Bear is 13 weeks old and he is a great puppy, sure he does things wrong (no puppy can be perfect), but we are certainly happy with how his personality is progressing, and his ability to learn and willingness to please. We have had a Labrador before (Storm, who passed away at 13), so Labrador's as a breed are not new to us, and we have had dogs all our lives, but to be honest remembering back that many years ago to puppy time is a bit hard, and I have an issue that didn't exist back then, and was hoping for some advice and confirmation. So Bear is going through an independent phase. Under controlled conditions, dropping something and come commands he has a very good grasp of, but a few weeks ago, I saw him grab one of my socks, and when he knew that he was caught, instead of dropping, he made a run for it, once he was cornered, he knew the game was up, and when I said "drop", he dropped the sock. This is not something that I was not expecting (I do recall my dogs in the past running away with a sock or two), but my problem is that I have a chronic illness now, that restricts my mobility (bending, moving fast, etc), so previously Storm was not able to win this game, as I could always catch him if needed, and he soon learned that and the behavior disappeared. In the last few days (especially outside, were space is plentiful), Bear has recognized that he is faster than me, and I have found myself frustrated as he finds something I don't want him to have and turns it into a game of chase the Bear, and stupidly I have been playing the game. At this stage, I think he actually thinks it is a game that I am encouraging, due to me not stopping it. Sometimes I am slow to learn, but clearly at this moment I am just teaching Bear how to play his game, find something you know dad won't want you to have, and prance with pride around the nearest car, while dad tries to follow, then lay down for a bit, just out of reach, chew the item so he tries to get it, and then jump up and gallop away. Now my question is, now that I realise I am doing this all wrong, how do I proceed, I am assuming the best course of action is to put him on a long recall lead when he goes outside, and when he goes into "chase the Bear" mode, simply make my way to the end of the lead and put my foot on it? My recall word is "Come", but I have not been using it, as I figured this is just setting myself up to fail (basically water down the meaning of "come" as he isn't going to obey it, in his prancing state), so I have been trying to get him to sit, then drop the item, with limited success. Hopefully I have answered my own question, and so you might be wondering why I am asking, but I wanted to run this question and planned solution by the forum, as my mobility issue is not something that is likely to go away anytime soon. I can see how this could become a big problem in the future, even a potentially unsafe issue for Bear (especially outside the yard, near roads etc), so I really need to get this right. For now I am taking Bear outside on lead, but I don't see this as a solution as then he doesn't learn, and I have not trained him for the time he gets off the lead (plus I want him to be lead free when possible in the future). Thanks in advanced, Cameron
Our puppy Mole does this and thinks it's huge fun when he knows he has something he shouldn't! I quickly worked out (as you did!) that this is a great game for him if I try and pursue him to get it back (usually socks, a piece of coal etc!) how we deal with it is that I use my "happy" voice and encourage him to come back to me for a tasty treat (a piece of kibble doesn't do it!!) and praise him a lot when he brings it back. We use the word "treat" only for these moments and he knows he's going to get something special (usually a bit of chicken). He still prances around with his trophy when he first finds it but will bring back immediately now for the word treat (could be any word that's different to your usual recall word) Good luck! Sam and Mole
I have this at the minute ! Running off with socks/ shoes/ coal etc They seem to love coal and stealing the sticks when setting the fire
Chase is the Best Game Ever!!!! If I grab a sock, Dad chases me, AMAZING!!! Let's grab ALL THE SOCKS!!!! Yes, it's very common. Do you clicker train? If you do, I'd be turning away from him, moving in the other direction, making yourself exciting by putting in as much movement and squeakiness as possible, but without actually coaxing him - if need's be, find something on the floor that is really interesting and play with it, making "OMG, this is fabulous!" noises, but, still not trying to encourage him to play. As soon as he moves towards you (and he will, because his game isn't getting him any attention), click and treat. Next time, click for two paces towards you, then three... eventually you'll have a dog that picks something up and brings it to you, rather than playing keep-away. And, just like that, you have a retriever
Oh, I've also read that it's never a good idea to chase your dog, because they'll learn very quickly that they're faster than you, and that's not a lesson they should ever learn! However, I *do* chase my dogs on occasion; I have it on cue, "chase chase chase!", which means, run along a little ahead of me, while I slap you on the bum
I don't think a long line will help in the long term - it is pretty obvious to a dog when he is wearing a long line and when he isn't. So a long line will help you 'catch' him, but only so long as he has a long line on him. Also, in the way you intend to use it you will pretty much be 'making' the dog do something (give you something), which isn't the best way to train - so your long line idea is management rather than training. Which is fine as far as it goes but wouldn't ever allow you to get rid of the long line. I'd train a 'give' cue. So when your dog picks something up you don't want to have, he'll give it to you on cue. And in the meantime, put the socks out of reach. If he nicks something before you've trained the give cue, then (as Fiona says, try to 'swap' it for something else).
Teach him to bring his 'prizes' to you for an even better prize - he'll soon be prancing to you with all sorts of stuff!
I agree with the other wise advice here. I think they all try this game at some point. Meg did very wary on so I taught her to bring it back and drop....for a treat. It's easy I think with labs as they are food driven (mostly) and love to retrieve (mostly). My other breeds didn't . Anyhow we then went through a phase where anything she could find she would automatically bring back and toss at my feet...eagerly awaiting the treat ! Quite comical. I think she just grew out of doing that non stop. Now age 2 she is a brilliant retriever and will play fetch in or out of water until the cows come home.....have fun Emma and Meg turbo rocket #whereismyball
I didn't C/T but I did do much as @snowbunny . Once I figured out that stealing something not dangerous to them was only to engage me I let them have it. Huge caveat, none of mine were chewers. Then I turned it into a request for them to, first, give it up to me, second to deliver it to me in another room and give it to me, for a reward. I also agree that sometimes a game of chase is in order and fun for both of us, even if the dog starts it. Sometimes I've been working and all of a sudden, there's the dog with a glove in his mouth, and I think, yup, you're right, time for a break.
Going through the same trick...I use the words yum yum which usually means he will drop the item and come running...still working on the retriever part! Chase is the best game ever invented and Bailey will play it until the cows come home, go to bed, sleep the night away and wake up again! Good luck with Bear
Luna pinches things all t he time. She loves socks but her fave in the watering can. Which is hilarious as she hot foots it across the field with a massive watering can in her mouth. I have made everywhere reasonably theft proof for the minute but if I am carrying washing she tends to follow me waiting for the escaped sock. I haven't trained drop or give yet but we have trained leave it which when used in anticipation of the act is very strong for her. So I wander around doing chores saying leave it constantly and she diesn't touch it.
Thank you everyone, very much appreciated!! A friend gave me a horse lunging lead, and as predicted, Bear was the perfect gentleman with it on (he clearly knew there was no point running). All the advice makes really good sense, and I think I have a plan now. Cheers, Cameron
