I think I found our training solution!! - Update

[lmtoth2]

I think everyone knows Dexter is a little devil at home. We have not been able to break him of his habit of stealing things. Today I set down a pair of my (old) shoes at the front door. I worked with Dex with "leave it" giving him cheese for doing well. Of course after a few times he gives me his look, grabs the shoe and runs. I try one time out once I let him out he goes right back and steals the shoe again. I remembered the compressed air I brought home from work (the thing you shoot into your keyboard to clean it). I give it one shot and say "drop it" and Dex immediately drops the shoe - I was in shock. I put the shoe back. Of course he goes right back for it. I grab the air can and just show it to him and say "drop it" and again the shoe is immediately dropped.

Later on the dogs are barking at the window. I walk into the room (not next to them - several feet away) and say "hush"...they keep barking so I shoot the air and say "hush again". Kirby bolts into the den and lays down (he did not act afraid, but clearly did not want to hear that noise). Dex also stops barking immediately.

Maybe I found the solution?? I'll keep you updated. We'll move onto socks tomorrow Kirby was the winner today. He got cheese too and never would think of taking a shoe

[tuffystar]

This works well with Tia too, but Buddy loves the air blowing his cheeks out! He comes to the can and opens his mouth! It is a good thing Buddy is never the one to get caught!

[Raleighsmom]

Hmmm...great idea Leslie!!! Think I'll give it a try when Raleigh starts in with his barking!!!

[lindamarie]

YEP! That's like the CO2 Cartridge I have been recommending. WAIT! The Pet Convincer is about to be available. STAY TUNED!

[anny51]

That sounds interesting Leslie...I shall await your progress with interest, I'd love to find something to stop Charlie from stealing things!

[MaxandMe]

that's great leslie!!!! keep up the great work and keep us posted

That's great. I hope it works!!

[tuffystar]

It has been called to my attention that my post about the canned air carries dangers. I do not blow air into Buddy's mouth. It happened once. It is very dangerous to use canned air in a dog's mouth. It can kill them. Also never leave the can where they can chew it. You would think they won't chew something like that but the do. We had a springer spaniel that chewed my inhaler and almost died. I thought what Buddy did was funny but then I heard about deaths due to huffing this product. I am sorry to go off on a tangent here but I don't want anyone to think that I do this or it is ok to do. Sorry

[lmtoth2]

I guess I should have explained that I blew the air can in the room with the dogs, but I was at least 10 feet away from them. Now I just show them the can - I haven't had to blow it more than 2x. And yes - I keep it out of their reach I also cannot say this will work in the long term - I saw results from 2 episodes yesterday. We were gone all day, but once they settle down I will try some more leave it training tonight.

[tuffystar]

Originally Posted by lmtoth2

I guess I should have explained that I blew the air can in the room with the dogs, but I was at least 10 feet away from them. Now I just show them the can - I haven't had to blow it more than 2x. And yes - I keep it out of their reach I also cannot say this will work in the long term - I saw results from 2 episodes yesterday. We were gone all day, but once they settle down I will try some more leave it training tonight.

I knew you blew the air into the room. I wrote that buddy liked the air in his mouth and I wanted to be very clear about my statement so I wrote what I did. The canned air actually works well for Tia. I only put my hand on the can even months later and she stops what she is doing right away.

Good luck!

[sdrudge]

keep us posted. i may have to try this. sounds like a great idea.

[seazr]

Hmmmmmm . . . worth a try!!

[lmtoth2]

We are definitely making more progress. The barking at the front window is way down. If they bark I will just say "hush" and almost immediately it stops. This morning I tempted Dexter with a "dropped" sock. He still stole it and it took some convincing, but he did drop it. I am going to work on more distractions (i.e. random stuff just left around the house).