Hi all, Now, there's a great article on the site about training "leave it/that" which we are working on. However, currently having more bother with "drop it". Digby, 5 months, never misses an opportunity to pinch anything he shouldn't have, with a particular penchant for socks, gloves, toy cars and wooden building blocks-but anything will do nicely. He has a particular walk with tail wag combination that he only does when carrying such contraband...it's very funny. Of course we do try and keep anything he shouldn't have out of reach, and the leave it command is helpful if you catch him just before he grabs something. Its getting those valued gloves etc out of his mouth without either chasing him round (great game), or prising his mouth open and forcing it out (often resulting in a game of tug of war-also fun). I can get a treat and swap, it has to be high value-he's not daft and won't give up his prize for mere kibble! I feel like he's got me right where he wants me though, and essentially I'm treating him for giving me back something he shouldn't have in first place. My husband laughs at me and says he pinches stuff just to get the nice treat! Any suggestion?! I sometimes feel like he's training me far more effectively than I am him!!
Re: Leave it/drop it So funny aren't they? I do exactly the same with Charlie and he does exactly the same to me. But I feel as long as he drops the item he deserves the treat because he has done as I have commanded, but at least he will settle for mere kibble!! Sometimes I am quick enough to say "leave it" and he does especially as he watches me empty the washing machine ready to pinch the odd sock or two I am sure someone on this forum will give you great advice. Helen x
Re: Leave it/drop it There's nothing quite like a five month old lab for nicking what it knows (or quickly realises) it shouldn't and skipping off with that flick of the tail and a smirking look over a shoulder as you wail in disbelief as your best whatever disappears at high speed! From experience, never chase unless you 100% know you can corner and capture. Turn on your heal and walk away or stand with back turned, the game soon becomes boring and puppies will be puppies and move onto the next distraction allowing you to retrieve whatever it is hopefully none to worse for mouthing. One of mine ( a summer pup) took to plant pots, preferably still full of my precious seedlings! The number of times I stormed into the house and slammed the door, minute later there's a small pup on the door mat, "can I come in please?" Face covered in compost but no plant pot. An ever watchful eye and a very growlly "NO!" every time she went near a pot and she soon gave up. I don't treat for drop (I don't treat much actually), a good dog usually suffices. But for youngsters, especially those not that far from puppyhood, I remonstrate like the bitch would, growlly voice and a firm but gentle shaking of the scruff, there's a lot of 'spare' skin there on labs - a good handful and a firm shake from sode to side (not enough force to actually move anything other than the scruff) with the growled "drop" usually works with a "good dog" when the item is finally relinquished. If you have to physically remove it then if you sit the dog, put him between your knees (looking forwards) you can grip him behind the shoulders with your knees and gently squeeze to hold him in place so you can use both hands, one for jaws and one for the stolen goodies. With a firm, not angry, drop command and again praise when he finally lets go. If he's cavorting about with something that's dangerous or in a difficult location and you've got a pretty good recall you can call him in, praising him for coming back and treating for that - not for dropping the goodies, show the treat as you call so he comes belting for the biscuit, with luck dropping the swag on route - not really what you want with gun dogs but sometimes needs must... So try to keep this one for dire emergencies. These are not not foolproof, or should that be puppy proof,is anything? but usually at least one works, however, resign yourself right now to loosing some things, just keep your fingers crossed they're to irreplaceable. Good luck and enjoy your small tornado while he's still small! Kerryn
Re: Leave it/drop it Poppy is a great one for picking up small things (little stones etc) and carrying them around. (One terrible time we found her with a needle in her mouth... Luckily no harm done). Last week I had to move the couch to clean under it, and discovered her hoard of trophies. AHA!!!! So that's where that button went!! And my left glove!!! Not to mention a small tile from the upstairs bathroom... and a hair clip a visitor lost... She is the funniest little creature :
Re: Leave it/drop it Sorry Sersi, I did mean to add that Poppy used to be a terrible thief of shoes, boots, gloves, hats, socks, underwear etc. But at 10 months now she really has grown out of that (I think because I also used the growly voice to show her I wasn't impressed). So now she only really takes little things, that she thinks she can carry around in her mouth without us noticing...
Re: Leave it/drop it Looks like I need to practice a growly voice, I do use NO but more as a "no, you got that wrong, no reward" kind of thing. 10 months still seems really young to me (we've reached 5 in the blink of an eye), so for Poppy to be maturing already makes me determined to enjoy the "puppiness" of it all, although I will try my best to cultivate an unimpressed growly type noise......something else for my husband to laugh at me about!!
Re: Leave it/drop it But I have to say, Pops is an unusually mature kind of little dog - sometimes it seems to me she's about five years old... Then she does something completely ridiculous and I realize she is just still a pup! Digby is obviously a smart little chap, and it does sound like there is a danger that he is stealing things in order to get a treat when it's time to give his booty up...
