Thieving dogs
 

Does anyone know of a way to stop my dog grabbing things and trying to swallow them (toilet rolls, hair clips and just about anything he can find ). He has become a terrible attention seeker. I try to keep everything out of his way but the other day he came bursting in from the garden with a huge rusty nail sticking out of his mouth. After a massive struggle, I managed to extract it from his gob but ended up with a huge fang through the top of my thumb as he tried to keep hold of the nail. One anti tetanus jab later (and a cartoon sized bandage) and I'm pulling my hair out! Any suggestions? :gooddog:

Re: Thieving dogs
 

When hes out bung a muzzle on him, should help. inside yer struggling.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

is it something like this -
How to Stop a Dog From Stealing Items & Running | Dog Care - The Daily Puppy
A muzzle would be a quick fix, but not good long term.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Yes, I think that would make a difference when he's outside but inside, no matter how many times I tell the ( grown up ) kids to watch where they leave things, he always manages to root something out. He has a penchant for socks. I don't want him to seriously injure himself. He's such a div.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Thanks for that, but I have to be careful what toys I get him as he eats those as well. I get him those huge ropes from the pet shop and they last about three days tops. He gets bored with his bones too, after a while. His jaws are so powerful I haven't found anything that he can't demolish so far. Does anyone have any ideas for indestructible dog toys?

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I`ve not found anything indestructible yet, but some last better than others.
Indestructible Dog Toys and Durable Dog Toys for your LARGE Dog
There is a stall on market that sells quite cheap durable balls, but as they sink, they aren`t much good to us.

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I get this kind from stall on outdoor market. They are solid, so don`t pop like a tennis ball & they float. But if left alone with it, he will pull it to bits. They cost £1.70 each.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I wouldn't mind if he ripped toys to bits but he swallows the bits as well. I'm worried he will get a blockage. He definitely needs more mental stimulation. I've found stuffing bits of food in to the middle of his bone keeps him occupied for about five minutes, a bit like a Kong. But it doesn't last long enough.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Does he get plenty of exercise? Duke plays up if he misses a walk or two, made a right mess of his kennel, chewed it to bits. All down to boredom.
Another link I`m afraid, explains why dogs chew things.
How can I stop destructive dog chewing
Not exactly relevant to your problem, but may be worth a read.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Did yeh get him from the Burnley Area? Sure sounds like hes got Dingle in him.:D

Re: Thieving dogs
 

He is part Cheweky, which is as good as, if not worse.
http://gundogs.joomlawebdesigner.co....ky/cheweky.htm
Based in S.Yorks
Top pic (Cheweky wolf) is his grandad.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I think you are allowing your dog to dominate you.

It needs you to take control which won't be allowed without some tough love.

Find yourself (rather than the dog) a place that will give you both instruction.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

If all else fails there is always - teeth extraction !

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Actually Mr.C, that's really funny as we got him from Aspen Valley kennels as a stray that wanted rehoming. They told us he'd been picked up wandering round the streets of Burnley! Ha,ha. We've had him two and a half years now and he's really lovely apart from this quirk. As for exercise, Mr. G, I think we'll step up his walks to see if that makes a difference but, to be honest, when he's been out for hours he's still full of it when he gets home.:gooddog:

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Thanks Margaret, could've done with that before he sank his fang in to my thumb! :o

Re: Thieving dogs
 

My brother had a springer spaniel many years ago, she had a fantastic temperament and was well loved by everyone. He was also in to hunting and had Brian Plummet bred Terriers.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

That should read Plummer, predictive spelling jumped in before I noticed.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I'd think it's as GP24 mentioned, lack of stimulation & occupation, he needs something to hold his attention & keep him busy, a dog group, training course/agility or some such to distract him. How old is he?

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Hunting doesn`t interest me, but spaniels are an excellent dog for it if it did. I try to simulate what they do in a hunt with their ball, hide it when they aren`t looking or throw into the long grass and let them sniff it out.
As DinG said, mental stimulation as well as physical, plus plenty of praise when he does well.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I`ve only just got that (I think), not a Burnley or B`burn fan, but is it a reference to duke destroying his kennel & Burnley fans wrecking their town?

Re: Thieving dogs
 

What breed is he ?Is the dog a working breed? Working breeds need not only physical exercise i.e. walks but also mental stimulation. Have you played games with him ? pm me if I can help I will

Re: Thieving dogs
 

have you tried konks expensive but really strong

Re: Thieving dogs
 

have you tried kongs really strong but expensive different sizes

Re: Thieving dogs
 

He's only a youngster, about three and a half. I'm going to look in to dog groups etc. I think he really does need extra stimulation. Our last dog was a border /lakeland terrier who was really intelligent and was really easy to look after. We also got him from the same rehoming centre. But Arnold is something else! But we all love him to bits and will overcome whatever he throws at us .

Re: Thieving dogs
 

My friend has a Staffy that's half the size of ours and it has destroyed all the kongs it has been given, so I think I'd be wasting my time with one.

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We got him from a rehoming centre. The vet we took him to said he's a staffordshire bull terrier but, as he's twice as big as any I know, I have my doubts. But he's a soft sausage and I don't care what they say. He's just a bit of a pain with his scoop and run antics.:)

Re: Thieving dogs
 

There's half your problem there, he's a "yoof" so pushing the boundaries is to be expected, plus boredom sets in quickly, he needs challenges & distractions, plus the occasional reminder of his place in the "pack". :)

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We have quite a few games we play with max. His newest one we call collect and click. Basically we put different objects on the floor and ask him to bring them at random, whatever we ask him to bring e.g. tv remote, phone,his collar. When he brings the correct thing we click the clicker and treat him.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I am always thinking of new tricks to teach Max

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I really don't think he's got the concentration for a game lime that. He's very clumsy and just thunders around getting very excited. He's daft as a brush and I think even an experienced dog trainer would have their work cut out with him. But we'll keep persevering with him, maybe he'll calm down a bit with age. By the way, he's like 'the girl with a curl' - when he's good, he's very, very good...... (when he's asleep usually! ). :dancedog:

Re: Thieving dogs
 

another training group which uses the click and treat method in haslingden we have an 18month old lab he was into eating wood when out we got him a dummy what they use in gundog training and he carries that when we're out and we also throw it for him to fetch wears him out better than just a walk but we don't let him have it in the house

Re: Thieving dogs
 

I think he would surprise you what he can do under proper guidance and with a clicker. The timing with the clicker has to be spot on for it to work. Some friends of mine thought that by clicking the clicker the dog would do things for them. That is not what clickers are for.

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Can't offer any advice just empathy!My dog steals ANYTHING. Honestly, she stole a packet of disposable razors from the bathroom this week, came home to her chewing them, no food products can be left within her reach even things like sugar canisters or packets of cereal, she doesn't actually eat them just opens them and spreads all over the floor , anything in a box-including a packet of oil paints I had delivered.... Real pain she is.

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Sounds familiar, they put the frighteners on you sometimes ! I spend half my time checking there's nothing left lying about around the house, think I'm gonna end up with OCD lol.

Re: Thieving dogs
 

Dogs can be taught to leave and not steal.