So I tried out our 5 pip recall at home just now and Bob came rushing downstairs to me. My OH's son is visiting at the moment and I thought it'd be a good thing to try out when there is a lot of distraction upstairs. Bob adores Jake, he goes nuts when he visits lol. Anyway, Bob came straightaway and I gave him one of his treats - a pig's ear. Well... Bob took it into his crate dropped it there, didn't touch it and ran back upstairs. I don't mind too much as he came to me when I called. But question, do I take the ear out of his crate now? I don't want him to find it randomly and get it for no particular reason if you see what I mean? What do you think?!
Oh well done Bob! Well, personally, I would feel he had earned it and would leave it, though if its not eaten by bedtime I would remove it to safety!
Well, if I'd completed something really challenging, received a reward, put it away for consumption later, and then found it had been taken away I wouldn't be very happy! Would you? For such a great performance I think Bob should be able to save his reward for later if he is having fun with Jake. (although like Jacquie I would take it up at bedtime if it was still there)
How odd....but, if he has "stored" it, and he earned it fair and square, then I'd consider it his, really.....it's nice he sees his crate as a safe place to stash his loot! I'd leave it for him, I think.
Oops I took it away in the end as I needed to make a quick decision lol! I'm SUCH a meany. I thought he'd forget all about it and then get a reward for just finding it randomly...
I would have taken it too. Bob won't remember...he will be super happy to get it again in the future!
Yes, I would have removed it. He could get possessive over it,if he placed in his crate. Maybe use something that he can eat straightaway, rather than a chew that takes some serious time. Good that he came, need to proof that again.
I don't see the issue here. It's his. It's in his crate. He won't get possessive about it if he doesn't see anyone taking it away. He might get possessive about it if he sees someone trying to take it away from him, but that's because, well, it's his, and it's in his crate! You'd get possessive if someone tried to take away your dinner or chocolate bar. Just leave it be
I would have left it, too. Sensible dog - instead of trying to gulp down his pig's ear straight away, he hides it for later... I think though that I wouldn't give a pig's ear as a reward - it is too big. Smaller treats that can be eaten immediately are better, I think, for rewarding a behaviour.
