On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 07:48:05 -0700, udutronik
wrote:
My 1 year-old labrador is driving me crazy with this behavior:
In the house or in the backyard, she tends to pick up anything that
she can.
Anything except her toys! When i approach her, saying "No" or "Let
go", she
runs away, in what seems a playful behavior. I try raising my voice,
to show
her i'm not playing, but it doesnt work. She hides from me.
Wouldn't you try to hide from someone who yells at you?
I have to take her in a corner so that she let the object go.
The first thing you need to do is remind yourself that you have a
RETRIEVER. Retrievers love to RETRIEVE things, provided they have
someone to throw things for them to RETRIEVE. If they don't, they'll
find "things" to retrieve by themselves.
All you ever do is take things away from her. Where's the fun in
that?
Instead of "taking her in a corner," just THROW something else for her
to RETRIEVE. She'll likely drop whatever she has in her mouth and
take off to RETRIEVE the new "thing."
Don't worry if she doesn't initially bring it all the way back to you.
You can teach her to do that later on.
Buy a couple (or more) dummies (very good "things" for your dog to
retrieve), like these:
http://www.gundogsupply.com/-9645-.html
Or you can offer her a favorite treat. She'll probably drop the toy
to get her treat.
But you NEVER, EVER want to struggle with her, or play tug-of-war.
I've also tried "trading" : showing her to get a toy (Kong or Ball) that she
can chew.
But with no success. She prefers the forbidden.
Until she learns what belongs to her, and what doesn't, put up all the
other stuff so that she can't get to it.
Then spend some time every day throwing *dummies* for her.
Tease her with the dummy, get her all excited, leaping, etc., then
give it a toss. When she gets it, and starts to come near you, toss
another one. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.
When i catch her, i dont know what to do.
First, NEVER, EVER chase her when she's got something in her mouth.
Second, OBEDIENCE TRAINING will make it possible for you to call her
to your side. No "chasing" required!
Reward her to finally let it go?
Yes!
By tossing something else for her to retrieve, offering her a special
treat, etc.
Punish her?
For not coming when called? For not releasing the object?
No.
Has anyone a solution?
OBEDIENCE TRAINING.
Usually in the form of a group class.
It will help you regain control of her.
Your vet can usually aim you in the right direction, or you can call
your local animal shelters, rescues, too.
They will be able to teach *you* how to teach your *dog* a more formal
retrieve, too, which will give both you and your dog countless hours
and opportunities for fun and exercise.
Good luck!
--
Handsome Jack Morrison
"Reality-based" writer blames Vick's friends, not Vick:
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-fi...failed-friends
"The four girls were born at a US hospital because there was no space available at Canadian neonatal intensive care units":
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6951330.stm
Why "liberal" doesn't quite fit:
"In the short term, this reflects the failure of the Republican Party to secure its hard-won victories. In
the longer term, this may provide a new opportunity for the heirs to authentic liberalism - today's conservatives -
as they often thrive when lovers of big government, by whatever name they go by, overreach."
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/...beral-doe.html
"Reality-based" Rabbi Defends Michael Vick:
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archi...iberal_lo.html
"The main proponents of 'universal coverage' want to throw more money at the current health care system,
which strikes me as unwise. I believe that the 'universal coverage' mantra is dysfunctional for the same
reason that 'more money for public schools' is a dysfunctional mantra for education. When your current
approach is digging you into a hole, the sensible thing to do is not to dig faster. It is to stop digging."
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=080607B