Teach a Puppy to Give
Puppy Trade Game
Puppies were not born with nor read, the pet owner’s guide to polite manners so it’s important to teach them the trade game. Would you give up the $100 bill you found at the park? Probably not. 🙂
Trade Game
When puppies or dogs find something, they intend to keep it. Guarding resources is a natural instinct. The more you have, the more likely you’ll survive. Plus, puppies and dogs will pick up items, such as socks, to instigate play like chase. Oh, it’s tempting to chase a puppy with your sock. We panic and think, “Oh my god, they will swallow it!” and we continue chasing. Not fun huh?!
Instead, teach your puppy or dog how to trade instead. And say goodbye to crazy chases around the dining room table. 🙂
RELATED: Resource Guarding
How to Teach Your Dog to Give Items Back
Whenever your puppy or dog picks up a sock, shoe or a child’s toy, instead of chasing him, try:
- Stop moving. Your puppy will probably stop moving too. He’s not sure what’s going on.
- Walk to the refrigerator and select a yummy treat. These treats must be yummy. They should behoove your puppy to trade the smelly sock for something better.
- Approach your puppy. If she runs away, stand still.
- Say “trade” and show her the yummy treat. She probably smells it already, but thinks the treat is for you and not her.
- Remain still and wait for your puppy to drop the sock. If she continues running with the sock, your treat needs to be yummier. She’s saying, “Nah, I would rather keep my stinky sock instead.”
- As she drops the sock, say yes and toss the yummy treat in the opposite direction of the sock.
- When she runs for the treat, pick up the sock.
Now, you’re not rewarding your dog for stealing socks. You’re rewarding her for giving it up.
VIDEO: Teach Your Dog the Trade Game
Taking Items From a Puppy’s Mouth?
On rare occasions, such as a puppy snatching up a cooked chicken bone or medication, I would remove it from her mouth. Now, as I explain to my puppy people, don’t make this a habit. If you do, your puppy will learn to swallow an item quickly, usually as you approach. She knows you’re going to take it away!
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