Problem With 7 Stealing

[lucylotto]

My 7 mnth old is becoming food obsessed. sigh..

Stealing:

Giorg will steal anything he can get if down low enough but now is jumping up to search bench tops and tables for goodies. He (and crime companion Bella) stole my sons choc filled advent calendar from bedroom and managed to get all the chocolate out of each months window. Both guilty with strong 'choc breath' on each of them. (milk choc and not enough to cause harm ie. not 250gm per 10kg of dog)

Each time he is caught in the act we tell him very firmly in best growly voice "NO!" He understands "No" by the way.

Aggression:

episode 1. Most of the time I can take things from him easily eg toys, put my hand in his food bowl, exchange edible treats with him and his doggie mate can take toys and old bones from him but NEVER fresh bones or she will be attacked. I feel this is reasonable.

episode2. However x2 now when he has stolen food he knows he is not to have, when I have rousd on him and gone to take said food from him, with intention of exchanging for a treat, he has wanted to take my hand off. I put my hand firmly around back of his neck but he would not give up. I managed to get part of the food from him the 2nd time but still felt he had 'won' the round and was unsure how to handle the situaion at that precise moment. After a minute or so I gave him a small treat and took it from him x3 each time returning it to him so he knew to trust me. It seems he is only aggressive when it is an exceptionally great (in his eyes) 'find' and he shouldn't have it.

Has anyone had experience with this behaviour and what should I have done and do in future x1. re stealing - it needs to stop and 2. aggression in situation like above

Would appreciate any advice.

kind regards

[dogdogdog]

I am interested in hearing I used to have a spaniel and anything edible would be stolen and eaten. She lived to almost 16 years and I always knew if I walked into a room that she had been add it again. But I loved her for all her foibles.

[BigBen]

Right from when I first got Ben, I have asked him to see what he's got in his mouth... He never minds, in fact he'll come and put his best new bone in my lap.. NOT that I want it!

I always took the thingo out of his mouth, had a good look at it, and gave it back to him... 9 out of 10 times he could have it back... I'm still doing the same thing...

[persephone]

when he has stolen food he knows he is not to have, when I have rousd on him and gone to take said food from him, with intention of exchanging for a treat, he has wanted to take my hand off. I put my hand firmly around back of his neck but he would not give up.

I have bolded these two comments

he 'knows" .. what proof do you have that he knows? ALL food is fair game for dogs... puppies moreso.

The 'intention" bit .. were you smiling, and encouraging a swap? what was your body language?

I am of the opinion that while puppies should , from day dot, be taught to show what they have in their mouths, and 'swap' at ONE request... dogs eating their meal or a bone should be left alone.

Your pup is now viewing you as a threat to his food.. food is his ultimate prize..and YOU are a competitor, IMO.

BREATHE....

be calm.

he is a baby still.

he needs guidance and education.

BOTH of you need some more practice in interspecies communication

You may want to start doing THIS with your pup.

It is a positive but non negotiable way to show him exactly who is in charge of the food ;)

The only other thing I would say... based on MY experience.. is to keep the pup away from food areas! make the food IMPOSSIBLE for him to get!

if it means keeping him on leash or in a crate for some time indoors.. so be it.

If it means keeping dogs out while food is exposed in the kitchen..so be it.

he can't get the food if it's locked away, basically ...

he is still a baby... and needs to have good habits taught to him... which will bring the rewards that his current BAD habits are doing now :p

[lucylotto]

when he has stolen food he knows he is not to have, when I have rousd on him and gone to take said food from him, with intention of exchanging for a treat, he has wanted to take my hand off. I put my hand firmly around back of his neck but he would not give up.

I have bolded these two comments

he 'knows" .. what proof do you have that he knows? ALL food is fair game for dogs... puppies moreso.

The 'intention" bit .. were you smiling, and encouraging a swap? what was your body language?

I am of the opinion that while puppies should , from day dot, be taught to show what they have in their mouths, and 'swap' at ONE request... dogs eating their meal or a bone should be left alone.

Your pup is now viewing you as a threat to his food.. food is his ultimate prize..and YOU are a competitor, IMO.

BREATHE....

be calm.

he is a baby still.

he needs guidance and education.

BOTH of you need some more practice in interspecies communication ;)

You may want to start doing THIS with your pup.

It is a positive but non negotiable way to show him exactly who is in charge of the food ;)

The only other thing I would say... based on MY experience.. is to keep the pup away from food areas! make the food IMPOSSIBLE for him to get!

if it means keeping him on leash or in a crate for some time indoors.. so be it.

If it means keeping dogs out while food is exposed in the kitchen..so be it.

he can't get the food if it's locked away, basically ... :rolleyes:

he is still a baby... and needs to have good habits taught to him... which will bring the rewards that his current BAD habits are doing now ;)

Thanks persephone, thats reassuring.

[persephone]

persevere.. he is a teenager, and male! it will take consistency and calm leadership ..he WILL grow up :rolleyes: