Home Based Dog Training

Every dog at one phase of his life does counter surfing and stealing. Whether he surfs your kitchen bench or steal something from the garbage bin or your wardrobe and if not watched, can even snatch something away from your hands! Though it may sound unpleasant, but it is the natural behaviour of the dog.  Why is it so hard to accept? After all he is a dog, a scavenger! Certain behaviours which are identified as wrong by us, the humans, are perfectly fine with the dogs! So to alter this dog behaviour, you will have to change your perspective of looking at it first!

Correcting this problem on time not only safe you from loads of embarrassment but also prevents your dog from the danger of thieving some thing poisonous or injurious.

The first question that arises in dog owner’s mind when he catches his dogs thieving is “Why did he do it?” Any pet lover will definitely not keep his pet starving no matter how strict he is! But the reasons behind dog’s counter surfing are little different!

1. Most of the dogs steal for a mere attention from you. Every time you scold them or shout at them or run after them when they are counter surfing, they simply get rewarded by your attention. Thus they associate stealing as a game and an easy way of getting attention.
2. Not all the dogs steal food items. They can pick the socks or handkerchief or any thing that has their master’s scent. This occurs mostly with the dogs suffering from separation anxiety.     
3. The dogs who lacks proper training often get indulge in acts like stealing, garbage surfing and often become the cause of awkwardness!
4. Even when the dog is getting bored, he will like to vile away his time by taking a closer look in and around your house.
5. The dog also loses his etiquettes when tempted with some left over food in the kitchen. Most often if the kitchen cleaning is not done thoroughly after cooking a chicken or fish, the aroma attracts the dog and forces him to screen the kitchen counter or the garbage bin.

The stealing is not a problem that cannot be treated and you can take it easy as you and your dog will never be put behind the bards for this crime. But at the same time this habit should not be left unattended!

1. Remove all the temptations. Thoroughly clean the kitchen after cooking. Remove all the left over food from the kitchen worktop and keep the garbage bag out of the reach of the dog. This practice is of great help in reducing dog’s visits to your kitchen.
2. Develop the correct eating habits in your dog and maintain them. That means, give him his food in his bowl always and never throw scraps to him. Never share your food with the dog while cooking or eating meals. The best trick is always giving the dog a kong toy with a hidden food while cooking or eating.
3.  Give the dog adequate exercise, long walks and enough of toys. Such practices will keep his mind away from the thought of thieving.
4. Never yell or run after or give any kind of attention when he steals. Rather when he is sitting quietly while you preparing the meals, do praise him and reward him telling the reason why he is getting the treat.
5. Last but not the least; obedience training is the key to success. This way you can communicate your canine that his job is not to steal but to catch the stealers!