... How do you tackle it?
We have a 2.5 year old beagle who is generally v well trained which has been a mega effort on both our parts. We survived the puppy chewing and the teenage naughtiness and have emerged with a generally happy, relaxed, obedient hound. Beagles are notoriously stubborn so training him has been challenging but incredibly rewarding.
But we seem to be having a behavioural regression when it comes to food. He's become totally brazen about stealing from the kitchen table and surfaces, and apart from it being naughty, with a toddler in the family food snatching is not ok.
Our usual response is that he gets shouted at (zero impact) and put outside for a bit (withdrawing attention does work a bit). But he seems to have calculated that a stolen snack is worth the punishment. I'm not into aversive methods but positive reinforcement of staying on his bed during mealtimes is only getting us so far. He has a very strong 'leave' command for food he knows he's getting at some point - can sit and look at a treat, or his dinner, for ages until you give him the OK - but food he knows is not his? Irresistible.
Would appreciate advice on how to have a new push on training an adult dog. We don't use a crate, I know lots of people swear by them but it doesn't work for us. Shutting him out (or in a crate) solves the problem short term but doesn't correct the behaviour. Any ideas?
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The doghouse
when your dog's behaviour goes backwards...
2 replies
tinymeteor · 26/04/2016 10:54
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