URGH!

    • Bronze

    URGH!

    I have so many problems with my dog, I don't even know where to start sometimes.  LOL...I love her very much, but since I moved home and she has had access to a doggie door, her behavior has been insufferable.
    The biggest problem I'm having is that, if left unwatched for a matter of only 30 seconds, Kiki will find objects (her favorites are those that come out of the bathroom trash can) and take them out the doggie door into the yard.  I cannot catch her out there because she is too fast, and so this is infuriating, and I have no idea how to discipline this.  I won't chase her, and the sharp "No!" or "Eh-Eh-Eh" doesn't seem to phase her in these moments. 
    I know that almost everyone will say that she needs obedience training in a class, but I have no money for such a thing.  I am at a loss as to how to stop this behavior, so if anyone has any suggestions, I would be so grateful.
    Thanks.
    • Gold Top Dog
    My dog does the same.  At least yours is kind enough to take it out side.  It often looks like a snowstorm has struck my bedroom after Indy is finished with a stolen roll of toilet paper!  I try to just avoid giving my pups the opportunity to steal.  I have a lid on my kitchen trash and I leave the bathroom doors closed.  Jasmine is a 1 1/2 years old, and thankfully she has grown out of this.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Every trash can in my house is covered to prevent any temptation. Eevee used to have a horrible problem with getting into the trash. I also have to keep our toilet paper under the bathroom counter next to the toilet, instead of on the holder, because my cat had a habit of randomly shredding it... Basic rule here is "out of sight, out of mind" which works for me! >^^;<
    • Gold Top Dog
    I say do some obedience training on your own.  Teach her the "drop it" command. 
     
    I started teaching that by playing tug o war with Romy.  We would pull and pull and then in the middle I'd pull a treat from behind my back and tell her to "drop it".  She'd then drop the rope and I'd immediately say "good drop it!" and give her the treat.  Do the same with the things she's stolen from the trashcan.  Trade them for a treat, and make sure you say "drop it".  Prevention is the best method like astarcheetah suggested.  Put the trash can under the bathroom sick in a cabinet or buy a can that has a cover.  Also, it might be a good idea for her to have a raw bone to chew on, so she can get the chewing urge out on something she's allowed to chew on. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    I would use the umbilical cord technique and take away some freedom until you have the money to do some formal training.  This means she is either on leash with you, or in the crate...no exceptions.  This eliminates 90% of typical behavior problems.  It takes about 24 days to create a new habit in a dog.  Start today!
    • Silver
    When I brought Tara home, I immediately put the bathroom waste basket under the bathroom sink, where it is not visible or available. I had the kitchen trash under the kitchen sink, also behind closed doors. When I remodeled the kitchen this winter, I made a pullout trash "drawer" so the trash still isn't available. Tara has never had access to trash in my home.
     
    I look at this as removing opportunities for trouble, just like crating when I'm not home to supervise. If she can't get into anything, I can't be mad at her, and we're both happy :) If you can remove her opportunities somehow, that would probably help a lot.
     
    I also agree with the suggestion of keeping her on a leash with you for a while; when she's out of the habit of snatch and run, which perhaps you can replace with different habits, like bringing you toys to play with, give her some off leash time closely supervised and see how she does.
     
    Good luck!