Help..Can't catch our dog! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Gayle_T · 08-15-2006, 04:29 AM

Taylor is 5 months old. He's always VERY BUSY...but sweet and fun. He has done great with his potty training and even sits up like a prairie dog and begs for a reward after he does a "Good Boy" on his Piddle Pad. The problem that we are having with his behavior is that when he gets something like a piece of paper, underwear...anything that he shouldn't have OR when he knows we want to pick him up to put him in his carrier and room he takes off 100 mph and races around the house and we can't get him to stop. We can't catch him. He gets under different things like the dining room table...then takes off again in a FLASH! Chasing him only makes it worse and being firm and saying STOP...STAY doesn't work. This is so frustrating! I wonder what Cesar would do...

Please...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Gayle_T "Taylor's Mom"

snickers mom · 08-15-2006, 05:00 AM

mine does the same thing.... and when the door opens she makes a beeline for that too
she is going back to training though and they teach them how to "drop it" and "come" so i am hoping that will help
i will let you know how i make out... and good luck keep us posted with anything that you find works!

Erin · 08-15-2006, 07:16 AM

Teaching drop it and come are great! In the mean time leave a leash on him in the house to make him easier to catch. If it's something silly like a sock, that won't hurt him, DON'T chase him. It will take the fun out of the game and after a few tries he will just leave the sock alone. (If he wants to chew on a sock, give him one tied in a knot or soaked in water and put in the freezer). Otherwise, its your job to make sure he doesn't have access to things he shouldn't have.

If he DOES get something dangerous and you haven't trained these things - or if it's so good he doesn't listen

, take the can of treats and throw a handful near him on the floor. Trust me, he'll drop the dangerous item.

Lorraine · 08-15-2006, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle_T

Taylor is 5 months old. He's always VERY BUSY...but sweet and fun. He has done great with his potty training and even sits up like a prairie dog and begs for a reward after he does a "Good Boy" on his Piddle Pad. The problem that we are having with his behavior is that when he gets something like a piece of paper, underwear...anything that he shouldn't have OR when he knows we want to pick him up to put him in his carrier and room he takes off 100 mph and races around the house and we can't get him to stop. We can't catch him. He gets under different things like the dining room table...then takes off again in a FLASH! Chasing him only makes it worse and being firm and saying STOP...STAY doesn't work. This is so frustrating! I wonder what Cesar would do...

Please...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Gayle_T "Taylor's Mom"

Food usually works. Distract him with something particularly tasty. Get his full attention even to the point that he drops whatever he shouldn't be having. Pick it up or take it from him but only once his attention is fully on you.
To start say nothing except to focus on the piece of food you want him to notice and go for. Eventually work up to telling him to drop it but offer a piece of something real tasty at the same time. Work up to 'drop it' without offering a treat and give him a treat after the item is retrieved.

Sadie's Mom · 08-15-2006, 07:51 AM

Unfortunately, I have the same situation. "Drop it" never worked and so I had to resort to treats. I hated having to do that, but I had to. I tell her to "make a trade" and she'll drop whatever she's got because she knows she's getting something in return. And I have to say that even though she still does this, it's not as common. I figured it would get worse because she'd want treats, but it actually got better.

Erin · 08-15-2006, 08:25 AM

A good way to work on drop is to play tug. Ask him to drop, then start
the game again. The reward is the game, not a treat. This also works if
you trade for a better toy. You don't have to use food! Only in
emergency and training situations!!!

FirstYorkie · 08-16-2006, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadie's Mom

Unfortunately, I have the same situation. "Drop it" never worked ... I tell her to "make a trade" and she'll drop whatever she's got because she knows she's getting something in return...

Sadie's Mom - you HAVE taught "drop it"! You've just given it a different name: "make a trade". Kudos to you!

FirstYorkie · 08-16-2006, 12:55 AM

Gayle T,

You have already been given excellent advice above and I agree with all of it: never chase, teach a "drop it" command, trade for something better, etc, etc.

One other thing that I would do is practice IGNORING pup when he picks up something that is yours. Right now, picking up something of yours is either 1) a fun game (mom chases me) or 2) a battle of wills (it's mine now). Practice making it a total non-event. Make it boring for him. I'd do this by repeated "accidentally" dropping items of yours that you aren't worried he'll destroy - unimportant papers, old underwear, old socks, etc. When he picks them up, look at him, turn your back and don't say a word. In other words, don't reinforce the behavior with either positive OR negative responses. Later, when he's forgotten about it, you can quietly retrieve it. Repeat dozens of times per day.

Good luck!

Gayle_T · 08-16-2006, 03:54 AM

Thank you all SO much! You all have given me great advice! I am going to start working with Taylor today. It all makes so much sense. He does feel that it is a game. We are not going to chase him anymore! Today I am going to be dropping a few things during the day and IGNORING him. Making a trade when we have to also is much better than this frantic "Chase Routine" that we've gotten into! Thanks again everyone for the great advice!!! I'll give an update.

GayleT "Taylor's Mom"

cheeselover8481 · 08-17-2006, 05:59 PM

Do you play chase with your dog? I heard that playing chase will encourage this. I have stopped playing chase with Rosie and she doesn't do this anymore. However, when she goes to grandma and grandpa's she starts this behavior again because they always chase her. She loves that game.

FirstYorkie · 08-18-2006, 12:35 AM

Cheeselover, you're right. If you have a dog that habitually grabs things and runs from you, playing chase is probably not a good idea.

For other dogs and if Rosie's grandparent's insist on the game, here's how to minimize the damage. 1) Give the game a name and only play the game after you've announced it by name. For us, it's "I'm gonna get you!" In other words, don't chase puppy out-of-the-blue, but only after you've given the cue. 2) Have a clear end to the game. I use "That's all" and then brush my hands together like you're wiping off crumbs. I use this at other times as well so Joey has learned what it means. 3) Never, ever play the game when pup has something in his mouth that he shouldn't have. For Rosie, it might be best to never play the game when she has anything in her mouth at all.

FirstYorkie · 08-18-2006, 12:36 AM

Oops. Double post. So, how is everyone today?

Sadie's Mom · 08-18-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstYorkie

Sadie's Mom - you HAVE taught "drop it"! You've just given it a different name: "make a trade". Kudos to you!

Yeah, but the only way she'll do it is if she gets something better in return.

I also try ignoring her, which works, but can only do this if it is something that she can tear up (like when she goes & gets undies out of the laundry basket & chews on them...I don't want holes in them!) I ignored her the other day when she got something & she got SOOOOOOO mad because I wasn't making a big deal out of it. She kept walking up to me & whenever I'd move (but not to "get" her) she'd take off running over to it. Mom's will was stronger than Sadie's and I won. She got bored. Unfortunately, I can't always do this.

Pattie · 08-19-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

A good way to work on drop is to play tug. Ask him to drop, then start
the game again. The reward is the game, not a treat. This also works if
you trade for a better toy. You don't have to use food! Only in
emergency and training situations!!!

Isn't teaching her dog to stop this "game" training? I used "Pedigree Trainer" which are bite size soft training treats (they are in the shape of tiny tony dog bones) purchased in the regular grocery store. They worked well for Chloe, when she liked this game.

FirstYorkie · 08-19-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pattie

Isn't teaching her dog to stop this "game" training?.

Yes, certainly! Some people are uncomfortable, though, with giving their dog alot of treats. A diferent option to uses to reward your dog with a fun activity instead of a food treat. I personally use treats like you do; they work well for us!

08-15-2006, 04:29 AM	#1
Gayle_T Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 219	Help..Can't catch our dog! Taylor is 5 months old. He's always VERY BUSY...but sweet and fun. He has done great with his potty training and even sits up like a prairie dog and begs for a reward after he does a "Good Boy" on his Piddle Pad. The problem that we are having with his behavior is that when he gets something like a piece of paper, underwear...anything that he shouldn't have OR when he knows we want to pick him up to put him in his carrier and room he takes off 100 mph and races around the house and we can't get him to stop. We can't catch him. He gets under different things like the dining room table...then takes off again in a FLASH! Chasing him only makes it worse and being firm and saying STOP...STAY doesn't work. This is so frustrating! I wonder what Cesar would do... Please...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Gayle_T "Taylor's Mom"

08-15-2006, 07:16 AM	#3
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Teaching drop it and come are great! In the mean time leave a leash on him in the house to make him easier to catch. If it's something silly like a sock, that won't hurt him, DON'T chase him. It will take the fun out of the game and after a few tries he will just leave the sock alone. (If he wants to chew on a sock, give him one tied in a knot or soaked in water and put in the freezer). Otherwise, its your job to make sure he doesn't have access to things he shouldn't have. If he DOES get something dangerous and you haven't trained these things - or if it's so good he doesn't listen , take the can of treats and throw a handful near him on the floor. Trust me, he'll drop the dangerous item. __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

08-15-2006, 07:51 AM	#5
Sadie's Mom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 3,180	Unfortunately, I have the same situation. "Drop it" never worked and so I had to resort to treats. I hated having to do that, but I had to. I tell her to "make a trade" and she'll drop whatever she's got because she knows she's getting something in return. And I have to say that even though she still does this, it's not as common. I figured it would get worse because she'd want treats, but it actually got better. __________________ Christie and Sadie

08-15-2006, 08:25 AM	#6
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	A good way to work on drop is to play tug. Ask him to drop, then start the game again. The reward is the game, not a treat. This also works if you trade for a better toy. You don't have to use food! Only in emergency and training situations!!! __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

08-16-2006, 12:55 AM	#8
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Gayle T, You have already been given excellent advice above and I agree with all of it: never chase, teach a "drop it" command, trade for something better, etc, etc. One other thing that I would do is practice IGNORING pup when he picks up something that is yours. Right now, picking up something of yours is either 1) a fun game (mom chases me) or 2) a battle of wills (it's mine now). Practice making it a total non-event. Make it boring for him. I'd do this by repeated "accidentally" dropping items of yours that you aren't worried he'll destroy - unimportant papers, old underwear, old socks, etc. When he picks them up, look at him, turn your back and don't say a word. In other words, don't reinforce the behavior with either positive OR negative responses. Later, when he's forgotten about it, you can quietly retrieve it. Repeat dozens of times per day. Good luck! __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

08-15-2006, 05:00 AM	#2
snickers mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 687	mine does the same thing.... and when the door opens she makes a beeline for that too she is going back to training though and they teach them how to "drop it" and "come" so i am hoping that will help i will let you know how i make out... and good luck keep us posted with anything that you find works!

08-16-2006, 03:54 AM	#9
Gayle_T Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 219	Thank you all SO much! You all have given me great advice! I am going to start working with Taylor today. It all makes so much sense. He does feel that it is a game. We are not going to chase him anymore! Today I am going to be dropping a few things during the day and IGNORING him. Making a trade when we have to also is much better than this frantic "Chase Routine" that we've gotten into! Thanks again everyone for the great advice!!! I'll give an update. GayleT "Taylor's Mom"

08-17-2006, 05:59 PM	#10
cheeselover8481 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: knoxville Posts: 1,537	Do you play chase with your dog? I heard that playing chase will encourage this. I have stopped playing chase with Rosie and she doesn't do this anymore. However, when she goes to grandma and grandpa's she starts this behavior again because they always chase her. She loves that game.

08-18-2006, 12:35 AM	#11
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Cheeselover, you're right. If you have a dog that habitually grabs things and runs from you, playing chase is probably not a good idea. For other dogs and if Rosie's grandparent's insist on the game, here's how to minimize the damage. 1) Give the game a name and only play the game after you've announced it by name. For us, it's "I'm gonna get you!" In other words, don't chase puppy out-of-the-blue, but only after you've given the cue. 2) Have a clear end to the game. I use "That's all" and then brush my hands together like you're wiping off crumbs. I use this at other times as well so Joey has learned what it means. 3) Never, ever play the game when pup has something in his mouth that he shouldn't have. For Rosie, it might be best to never play the game when she has anything in her mouth at all. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

08-18-2006, 12:36 AM	#12
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Oops. Double post. So, how is everyone today? __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training! Last edited by FirstYorkie; 08-18-2006 at 12:38 AM.