Puppy problem!

[beckmrk04]

Not to hi-jack the thread or anything, but what would you suggest to do to stop a dog from jumping up at the table and trying to steal your food from under your nose. We have an 8 month old puppy that will continue to try this no matter how many times he is told no. He tends to listen to me, but if my DS or DD is sitting at the table he has no problem trying to get food from them. They definately are not allowing him to do this, but can't get him to understand no either.

We've thought about crating him everytime we eat, but what does that teach him? I would rather he learn 'manners' if you call it that, but I don't know how else to go about it.

We have had him in puppy and obedience classes, where he listened really well, but seems to have a more stubborn streak at home.

One again, sorry for the hi-jack, but reading this thread has made me really curious.

Our dog is a year old and still gets crated when we eat, so YES! Crate the pup! OUrs is still too rambunctious a lot to have her out while we eat, but sometimes she's ok...

And crating him while you eat teaches him that it's not steal-food time!Eventually most dogs just getto a point that they ignore the food... PLUS- make sure you never EVER feed the dog from the table, otherwise you might as well give up.

 

[beckmrk04]

If your dog digs, it's your fault.

If your dog pees on the floor, it's your fault.

If the dog eats your sofa, it's your fault.

If the dog eats chicken off the counter, it's your fault.

If the dog poops in the hallway, it's your fault.

The owner is responsible for training the dog. All those items listed above are training issues, pure and simple. It's not the dog's fault that it was left unattended to rip up the carpet. Or eat the couch. Or pull food off the counter. Or pee on the floor. It doesn't know any better until it's trained to know better.

A dog HAS to earn freedom - otherwise, you're setting it up to fail and the only person to blame is the owner. It completely appalls me that people will fail at their job of owning a dog and punish the dog by getting rid of it. For anyone who can treat a living being as disposable because of their own mistakes... well, I have my own theory on those people
!

AMEN!!

 

[corie161]

Our dog is a year old and still gets crated when we eat, so YES! Crate the pup! OUrs is still too rambunctious a lot to have her out while we eat, but sometimes she's ok...

And crating him while you eat teaches him that it's not steal-food time!Eventually most dogs just getto a point that they ignore the food... PLUS- make sure you never EVER feed the dog from the table, otherwise you might as well give up.

That's the thing, we have NEVER fed the dog from the table intentionally. If someone dropped something he may have gotten it but never been fed intentionally from the table.

He is crated at night or whenever we are gone and he generally likes his crate, but boy does he whoop and holler when he's put in his crate when he know's we're eating. That in itself is somewhat distracting. I guess I'll have to attempt it more often. In the mornings I feel badly about crating him while the kids are having breakfast because he doesn't get to spend a huge amount of time out of the crate as it is during that time. (The time before we get up and have to leave for school/work).

 

[NikiM20]

I have 4 dogs........3 were rescues.....they were all housebroke in a week(they wernt puppies) But they are crated when im not home because they dig out of the backyard LOL now i have a new baby daushand and hes not getting the whole potty training picture......I am going to buy a tiny crate for him to work on crate training i take him out to potty he wont leave me and as soon as we get in he potties...........so new ideas starting tomorrow . April, if i lived closer i would take your baby...i have had biters, discipline problems etc...i have worked with dogs alot and have fostered too...so if you ever come to Louisiana bring him LOL

 

[beckmrk04]

That's the thing, we have NEVER fed the dog from the table intentionally. If someone dropped something he may have gotten it but never been fed intentionally from the table.

He is crated at night or whenever we are gone and he generally likes his crate, but boy does he whoop and holler when he's put in his crate when he know's we're eating. That in itself is somewhat distracting. I guess I'll have to attempt it more often. In the mornings I feel badly about crating him while the kids are having breakfast because he doesn't get to spend a huge amount of time out of the crate as it is during that time. (The time before we get up and have to leave for school/work).

Our girl whines sometimes too in the crate- generally when something exciting (in her opinion) is going on, such as mealtime. Have you ever tried putting a sheet over the crate? It helps Jules.

And we are starting to let her stay out while we have meals occasionally, and when we are at the table, we'll give her a rawhide chewie, and if she comes to the table, we don't even acknowledge her. She's starting to get the hint (S L O W L Y).

 

[marydmjj]

Day 1 Update - Umbilical Cord Method:

Well, I kept Lilo with me all day today. When I was home, she was on her leash. It was great! No accidents all day!

She had her usual playdate with Kobe (neighbor's dog), hung out on her leash outside while I washed the car, walked with me to the mailbox and around the neighborhood, and stuck by my side in the house. All in all, a great day. She was worn out. I closed her in the kitchen tonight while I got the boys to bed and she didn't make a peep. I came down and she was in her crate zonked out.

I'm going to keep posting to this thread - I think it will help keep me on track.

 

[beckmrk04]

Day 1 Update - Umbilical Cord Method:

Well, I kept Lilo with me all day today. When I was home, she was on her leash. It was great! No accidents all day!

She had her usual playdate with Kobe (neighbor's dog), hung out on her leash outside while I washed the car, walked with me to the mailbox and around the neighborhood, and stuck by my side in the house. All in all, a great day. She was worn out. I closed her in the kitchen tonight while I got the boys to bed and she didn't make a peep. I came down and she was in her crate zonked out.

I'm going to keep posting to this thread - I think it will help keep me on track.

That's so great to hear!!!

 

[Marseeya]

Marseeya,

Come work a few years at a shelter or in rescue then "oh please" me all you like. Come assist with putting down a stray and then "oh please" me some more. Come spend the night with a dog who is scared wondering why his owners left and then never came back then "oh please" me a final time. I actually didn't ask how you feel about your son. He didn't get to choose his parents anymore than a dog gets to choose theirs.

Since Aprilgail did not elaborate on her original story, I would have had no way to know about his biting issue. I certainly do credit her for not just dropping him off at a shelter or lying to get him into a rescue. After you've spent a few years in rescue you can come back here and let me know if comments like the ones here today make you angry.

Tracy

I have worked in shelters for many many hours -- both kill and no-kill. I saw no reason for people to get so worked up over Aprilgail's remarks. The reason I brought up the example of my son is that if I ever said anything about not liking my son sometimes, nobody would flip out on me and do the old "How long will it be before you're sending him to an orphanage" etc.

 

[puggymom]

FYI - A great product for cleaning and removing odor is Nature's Miracle.

To the OP, good luck, it sounds like you are heading in the right direction.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Not to hi-jack the thread or anything, but what would you suggest to do to stop a dog from jumping up at the table and trying to steal your food from under your nose. We have an 8 month old puppy that will continue to try this no matter how many times he is told no. He tends to listen to me, but if my DS or DD is sitting at the table he has no problem trying to get food from them. They definately are not allowing him to do this, but can't get him to understand no either.

We've thought about crating him everytime we eat, but what does that teach him? I would rather he learn 'manners' if you call it that, but I don't know how else to go about it.

We have had him in puppy and obedience classes, where he listened really well, but seems to have a more stubborn streak at home.

One again, sorry for the hi-jack, but reading this thread has made me really curious.

In order for your dog to respect and obey you it is absolutely essential he see you as the Alpha dog (leader of his family pack). One of the perks of the position in the wild is that the Alpha eats first and eats best and does not share their food. Your dog sounds like he's beginning to see you as Alpha but not understanding that your children rank above him in the pecking order. You must establish this fact NOW so that he'll obey them. What if he were to run out into traffic but not heed their calls to come back because he thinks he outranks them and doesn't have to obey them?

I know you don't really want to but definitely crate your boy while you eat. Besides the fact that begging is bad manners, and that you'll gain better control over your dog, table food is terrible for them. They don't have the enzymes and digestive system to eat people food. Your dog will become constipated or have diarhea or a lovely combo of both.

Occasionally, when I have a bit of leftover grilled meat, I give it to Petey but I put it in his dish when I am finished with the rest. I never feed him anything else from the table. Don't feed by hand and never let him lick your plate.

Your dog will hate this at first and probably do a faboo job of looking really pitiful. Remember this: the Alpha is kind but not spoiling. Your dog needs an Alpha and it's essential for training that you be it.

In a couple of years, once he's passed the puppy stage and learned ultimate respect for you, you should be able to eat in peace without crating him.

 

[lesroi]

Day 1 Update - Umbilical Cord Method:

Well, I kept Lilo with me all day today. When I was home, she was on her leash. It was great! No accidents all day!

She had her usual playdate with Kobe (neighbor's dog), hung out on her leash outside while I washed the car, walked with me to the mailbox and around the neighborhood, and stuck by my side in the house. All in all, a great day. She was worn out. I closed her in the kitchen tonight while I got the boys to bed and she didn't make a peep. I came down and she was in her crate zonked out.

I'm going to keep posting to this thread - I think it will help keep me on track.

AWESOME!!!

We did the "umbilical" thing with the Lab we trained to be a Service Dog. It works. The only drawback we found is that it definitely makes them very attached to you (figuratively - after you remove the leash!) We ended up adopting Reebok as he developed elbow dysplasia and couldn't do the paraquad work he was trained to do. Now he just follows us around and we have him help out around the house. It is pretty funny to watch our Doberman try and imitate him, too, so at least they provide plenty of entertainment!

Sounds like you are definitely moving in the right direction with little Lilo!

Congrats!

Tracy

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not to hi-jack the thread or anything, but what would you suggest to do to stop a dog from jumping up at the table and trying to steal your food from under your nose. We have an 8 month old puppy that will continue to try this no matter how many times he is told no.
We've thought about crating him everytime we eat, but what does that teach him? I would rather he learn 'manners' if you call it that, but I don't know how else to go about it.

You leash the dog and put them in a down/stay while you eat. Part of training. This is easy to do....
You don't really "tell" a puppy no. It is more training right now.
That comes later when they listen to the commands.

Train all the time....you will be amazed! It takes about 3 years for it to all sink in.

 

[marydmjj]

Day 2 Update:

1 more successful day. I didn't spend as much time with her because I had to work but when I was at home she was either with me outside or on the leash inside. Another playdate with Kobe, potty breaks outside and some time left in the closed kitchen.

2 days poop & pee free. I'm in heaven!

 

[Aimeedyan]

In order for your dog to respect and obey you it is absolutely essential he see you as the Alpha dog (leader of his family pack). One of the perks of the position in the wild is that the Alpha eats first and eats best and does not share their food. Your dog sounds like he's beginning to see you as Alpha but not understanding that your children rank above him in the pecking order. You must establish this fact NOW so that he'll obey them. What if he were to run out into traffic but not heed their calls to come back because he thinks he outranks them and doesn't have to obey them?

I know you don't really want to but definitely crate your boy while you eat. Besides the fact that begging is bad manners, and that you'll gain better control over your dog, table food is terrible for them. They don't have the enzymes and digestive system to eat people food. Your dog will become constipated or have diarhea or a lovely combo of both.

Occasionally, when I have a bit of leftover grilled meat, I give it to Petey but I put it in his dish when I am finished with the rest. I never feed him anything else from the table. Don't feed by hand and never let him lick your plate.

Your dog will hate this at first and probably do a faboo job of looking really pitiful. Remember this: the Alpha is kind but not spoiling. Your dog needs an Alpha and it's essential for training that you be it.

In a couple of years, once he's passed the puppy stage and learned ultimate respect for you, you should be able to eat in peace without crating him.

I have to slightly disagree with you on the table food. Yes, I agree that feeding from the table is bad manners - any table food given should be given in their bowl on the floor so they don't connect it with begging from the table. However, dog food is just 'people food' heavily processed. GOOD dog food is primarily food that we all eat - chicken, carrots, brown rice, etc.

'People food' has great nutritional benefits to it for dogs, just like for us. Feeding fresh as a supplement to dry kibble has outstanding nutritional benefits. They can process it just fine, as long as you aren't feeding them chocolate or something else bad for them, you just have to be mindful of what foods you feed and make sure the dog sees that it's his food in his bowl. Not your food off your plate =)

I agree completely on the alpha thing - her children need to work with training the dog as well so the dog sees them as alpha. The dog sees her as alpha, that's why it doesn't even try to get food from her, but sees the children as lower then itself. Just by doing simple training with the dog, feeding the dog, giving the dog commands, etc will help raise the children to alpha status too. It's hard for kids to reach that point sometimes with animals.

In the meantime, you could leash the dog in another part of the room or crate the dog while it learns manners. But it won't get better unless you try to train during meals sometimes.

Good luck!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Day 2 Update:

1 more successful day. I didn't spend as much time with her because I had to work but when I was at home she was either with me outside or on the leash inside. Another playdate with Kobe, potty breaks outside and some time left in the closed kitchen.

2 days poop & pee free. I'm in heaven!

 

[Shugardrawers]

I have to slightly disagree with you on the table food. Yes, I agree that feeding from the table is bad manners - any table food given should be given in their bowl on the floor so they don't connect it with begging from the table. However, dog food is just 'people food' heavily processed. GOOD dog food is primarily food that we all eat - chicken, carrots, brown rice, etc.

'People food' has great nutritional benefits to it for dogs, just like for us. Feeding fresh as a supplement to dry kibble has outstanding nutritional benefits. They can process it just fine, as long as you aren't feeding them chocolate or something else bad for them, you just have to be mindful of what foods you feed and make sure the dog sees that it's his food in his bowl. Not your food off your plate =)

I agree completely on the alpha thing - her children need to work with training the dog as well so the dog sees them as alpha. The dog sees her as alpha, that's why it doesn't even try to get food from her, but sees the children as lower then itself. Just by doing simple training with the dog, feeding the dog, giving the dog commands, etc will help raise the children to alpha status too. It's hard for kids to reach that point sometimes with animals.

In the meantime, you could leash the dog in another part of the room or crate the dog while it learns manners. But it won't get better unless you try to train during meals sometimes.

Good luck!

You are correct and I guess I wasn't real clear on that. Whole foods like grilled meats, veggies and grains like brown rice really are good for your dog. It's when they get leftover mac and cheese and apple jacks that it's a digestive nightmare. Daddy is notorious for feeding Petey those processed treats. We've gone around and around on this issue

 

[kayeandjim00]

We have a lab that's about 2 1/2 that we've had almost 9 months from a rescue. She is an absolute dream 99% of the time. She's had virtually no accidents - only once at a friend's house and we still have no idea why she did that. She was getting some bad habits though and we were quick to realize that WE had bad habits that were effecting her. We are currently in dog training and we are using a facility that is heavy on the pack leader responsibility to the pack and what we should and shouldn't do. It's already paying off. Most times the dog doesn't need training it is us! Someone was posting about an eating issue. Our trainer is adamant that you HAVE to eat before the dog does. Even if it's just a handful of grapes or something the dog needs to see you eat first because that establishes that you are the pack leader. You've gotten some great advice about potty training and I don't have a lot of experience with that but lots of luck!

 

[Jpgirl]

I agree with the crate training and umbilical method. The last 2 dogs (both 7 month old labs-not potty trained) were house trained in 2 days. The one lab had spent his whole live chained outside so he was terrified of being inside. Here's how I potty trained my dogs. If there not tethered to you they're in the crate. First thing in the morning leash the dog-grab some treats and go outside. Take them to the potty place and give them whatever command you want to use for potty. Tell them the command over and over. I didn't let my dogs stray. We have a backyard and I took them over to the place I wanted them to associate with potty. When they go praise and give a treat. I use potty for #1 and poop for # 2. After they've done both take them immediately back in. In a half hour (depending on age) or after drinking, playing or eating-repeat the process. This is very time consuming at first but the results are worth it. It takes about half a day for my dogs to associate the treat with the potty. Then they're all too eager to go. My one lab would go poop 5 times a day to get treats!! The second day I don't give them a treat every time. After a week I give treats only occassionally and now none at all. With this training one dog had zero accidents during the training and none since (3 years) The lab that had been outside all his life had one accident the first day (5 minutes of coming in the house -I think he was terrified of being inside) and none since (5 years). There are 2 bonuses for this training-I never carry doggy poop bags when walking (law in our city) because they know they're not allowed to go potty outside the yard so they don't even try and when the weather is bad I just let them out and tell them to go potty and they do-they still go potty on demand!! I also agree with one of the readers above about being the pack leader for your dog. Watch the dog whisperer-he really knows his stuff. Of course I break his cardinal rule of letting my dogs sleep with me-but I own the bed-not them and they get off when I tell them. Good luck-dogs can be a blessing or a curse-and I've had the curse before when I wasn't the pack leader.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You are correct and I guess I wasn't real clear on that. Whole foods like grilled meats, veggies and grains like brown rice really are good for your dog. It's when they get leftover mac and cheese and apple jacks that it's a digestive nightmare. Daddy is notorious for feeding Petey those processed treats. We've gone around and around on this issue

Bad daddy!! Thankfully, we haven't had that problem with just the two of us but I can envision children giving in to sweet puppy faces in the future

 

[marydmjj]

Weekend Update, mostly up but a little down...

Of course, I wasn't involved! I was out with clients on Saturday and DH let Lilo wander for a few minutes without the leash. So, what did she do? She found a great spot in the dining room and did her thing. I got home, got the lowdown and said "PUT HER ON A LEASH"!

I wasn't home again today but there were no accidents. I guess my nagging "PUT HER ON A LEASH" is starting to slowly sink in.