hi i have three dogs all of witch are special needs my youngest Ben
really likes to steal shoes he is a small shih tzu but even so he
carries off any shoes no matter the size especially when we have
visitors we don't have a shoe cupboard so he just picks up a shoe and
trots off he never chews them or does them any harm we just find a shoe
lying somewhere how do we stop this behavior?

"random" composed these thoughts and posted them
ups.com:

hi i have three dogs all of witch are special needs my youngest Ben
really likes to steal shoes he is a small shih tzu but even so he
carries off any shoes no matter the size especially when we have
visitors we don't have a shoe cupboard so he just picks up a shoe and
trots off he never chews them or does them any harm we just find a shoe
lying somewhere how do we stop this behavior?



If he does no harm, why stop it? Are you trying to take the dog out of the
dog? I guess since i encourage my dogs to bring me shoes an slippers, it
baffles me why you would find it annoying. Simply teach the dog to bring
them back, or better yet, bring them to you. Then instead of an annoyance,
you will have a useful pet. The dog will be proud that he can be useful
and employ his skills.

he does it more as a playful kind of thing sometimes we catch him doing
it and he'll turn around and put it right back where he got it from and
the main problem with his shoe stealing is dirty shoes especially at
this time of the year and Ben only steals shoes away from us not to us
this is an example....it's Sunday night and my aunt uncle and their
baby daughter have just arrived Ben greets them happily and then grabs
a shoe and takes off after some searching we found it under my bed he
also took one of the baby's shoes that one was hidden in a pile of toys
and took awhile to find

On 24 Mar 2006 06:20:31 -0800, "random" ,
clicked their heels and said:

he does it more as a playful kind of thing sometimes we catch him doing
it and he'll turn around and put it right back where he got it from and
the main problem with his shoe stealing is dirty shoes especially at
this time of the year and Ben only steals shoes away from us not to us

spray your shoes with bitter apple, but more importantly, teach him a
give, drop, and bring, as well as a leave-it. Voila - no more shoe
stealing.


--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

"random" composed these thoughts and posted
them oups.com:

he does it more as a playful kind of thing sometimes we catch him doing
it and he'll turn around and put it right back where he got it from and
the main problem with his shoe stealing is dirty shoes especially at
this time of the year and Ben only steals shoes away from us not to us
this is an example....it's Sunday night and my aunt uncle and their
baby daughter have just arrived Ben greets them happily and then grabs
a shoe and takes off after some searching we found it under my bed he
also took one of the baby's shoes that one was hidden in a pile of toys
and took awhile to find



So reverse that and teach him to retrieve them TO you. Yes, I know he's
not doing that "now" but with a little finesse and training, he CAN be in
a day or two. Exchange the shoe for a treat.At first use a really smelly
attractant, such as Jack Mackeral so his nose works even when his senses
are intoxicated with his running away with his prize.When he pauses when
you call him, and he smells (not sees) the Jack Mackeral, then make a
quick exchange. If he keeps running away, throw a can filled with pennies
next to him. Then try to redirect him to respond your way. Treat, and
then offer him a toy that he can have long term, such as a rawhide or
greenie. Engange him in play on your terms OFTEN so that he doesn't need
to devise his own entertainment.
I have a 12 week old puppy, he's retrieving, tracking (limited), getting
slippers for me, I play scent games with him (the old shell game, treat
under cups game), He's learning to search for toys, and knows they are
worth far more when redeemed to me, than they are as treasures hidden
under a bed. We spend time working on heeling, sits, downs, prolonging
the stay, stand for exam, and walking in the woods off leash, introducing
him to wildlife, so that he doesn't have such intense curiosity that he
forgets to listen. I take him out in the barnyard aand allow him to chase
chickens, and the rabbits (on a cord) so that I can check him, and teach
him "LEAVE IT" and am able to re-enforce it.
He can be in full pursuit, and when I yell "LEAVE IT" he instantly stops
chase. The barnyard has interesting smells and tastes, "leave it" becomes
useful. He has a very reliable "Leave it" and recall. Becaause he does..
at 12 weeks, he's already reliable off leash. He's met many strange dogs,
and knows to stand steady or come to me, if other dogs rush him.
I'm saying this, because at 12 weeks, he's already grasped these skills.
I've turned his desire to play chase me (which stealing the slippers is a
form of) into bring to me. I've become his personal entertainment
director.
If a puppy of 12 weeks can grasp these things, a dog that is already
picking up objects, can be reversed in a short time to bring them to you
instead.

Your dog is obviously hungry for some sort of game and mental
stimulation. TRAIN him, and satiate that desire, and redirect that
intelligence to be beneficial and entertaining to you both (as well as
useful to you). He's asking for mental stimulation. Give it to him, on
YOUR terms. He sounds like a dog that has a lot going for him, with a lot
to offer.