I can't seem to find an answer to my question so I thought I'd ask. Let me give you a little background. So for some reason we have never ever had a problem with our puppy chewing up things he's not supposed to. We feel very lucky for this. He has recently turned 10 months old and he is now obviously hit the terrible teen stage. He is counter surfing and chewing up all our papers and things we leave on the table/counters. Since we have never had this happen and since he is our first puppy, we do not know how to punish him for this. This started like a week or two ago. Today he got my husbands wallet off the counter ripped it to shreds along with some cash and cards. I caught him in the act as I came home from running errands. So I yelled no and pointed at what he was doing. I then put him in a down stay for like 7 minutes. Like I said I didn't know what to do. We keep him in the kitchen while we're out and he has free roam of the house when we're home. He doesn't do anything bad while we're home. We stopped crating him at 5 months. Looks like we're gonna have to get it back out again. So my question is what should I have done when I had caught him in the act? What else should I do besides crating him again?


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sdhgolden
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Appropriate punishment?

Roll up a newspaper and be prepared to hit yourself with it when the pup grabs something important. Also, smack your hands when you forget to put stuff away,

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Golden moments shared with
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Rowdy & King

I went through 2 nintendo ds's and 3 remotes and countless other paper items, and yes my dog really did eat my sons home work. More interesting chew toys and just a "bad dog" also time helps. We invested in a large outdoor pen for our dogs if we are going to be gone for a while. If you want to let them roam free in the house when your gone try to keep him confined to a certain area and just try to puppy proof it a little. All it is is boredom.

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If you catch him 'in the act' a loud "NO" is sufficient discouragement. Redirect away from the item, or trade him for something appropriate, whether a food treat, or a favorite toy. Prevention is the key, clear the counter so there is nothing for him to steal. When you leave, make sure you give him a chew toy or toys or something to keep him busy while you are gone, or he will make up his own fun. Perhaps a kong with some peanut butter (or other stuffing) in it.

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Until there are none, rescue one.

I have a bit of a different outlook on this issue then the first poster. I do not want live in a museum. My home is not messy but I do have things around especially around this time of year. Usually, when my dogs grab something they shouldn't I let out a very loud "NO, LEAVE IT". I return the item back to where it should be and wait t see if they try again. I grab the loose part under the chin and give it tug and repeat "LEAVE IT". LOL through the dogs I have had in my life I have been known to give a tap on the bum and I am not afraid to admit it. "Trainers" have got a little out of control with this "all positive reinforcement" stuff. Most of all be on your toes waiting to give the correction and be consistent. Also, more chewies and toys of his own. Dog need to be taught manners.

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~Ashleigh
www.chantillygoldens.ca

A friend of mine has an English Mastiff who ate, not just chewed up but literally ate his video and picture camera's, along with the leather cases they were in. She had been crated and was left out for short periods without incidence, so they thought it was safe to leave her for the day...NOPE! She did well for a week or two but then decided to do this. Back in the crate she went, at about a year or so they tried again, from then on she has never done this again....

If you catch your dog in the act, I have heard a spray bottle works quite well....

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How to Discipline a Dog

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I agree with Ash. The counter is not at nose level, they have to make an effort to get stuff off the counter, which in my house is off limits. Roxxi has decided counter surfing is no fun.

What I did was take a can and put change in it. Then I set the can on the counter on top of a paper towel. I let the paper towel hang over the edge of the counter. When she grabbed the paper towel, it fell off the counter and made a lot of noise. (the can may have hit her I dont know, it was not a big can and was pretty light) Anyway, that was the last of the counter surfing. I reset the can and paper towel and she never did it again, nor has she ever even put her feet up on the counter again. She now also leaves my dish towels alone.

YES, I set her up. Nothing on the counter belongs to her and she only has a right to what belongs to her.

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Not sure I agree with the "trade him for something appropriate, whether a food treat, or a favorite toy". If you offer a treat, the dog may think he is being rewarded for doing the inappropriate act. You don't want that......

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Liberty - 10 months




Kim - Mommy to fur-baby Liberty and 2 human daughters 12 and 14 years old

Your training the giving of the item on command, not the taking. She already has it, but the reward is for a quick and successful return.


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Cheyenne (CGC) and Jesse (CGC) who will be always loved and never forgotten.