I did a homevisit this morning and met a precious 10mo female Catahoula.
She was adopted from the shelter as a puppy (never ceases to amaze me just
how many purebred pups wind up in shelters) and has overcome some initial
skittishness she had. Her owners are Boxer people but met her and couldn't
leave her at the shelter. They've since done a ton of research on the
breed, have had her in PP (yes, I mean that in the most technical sense)
classes and really adore her. She's taken to the dog park daily and has a
nice backyard & courtyard at her disposal. Anyway, to the point, the owners
were telling me that she doesn't like to go in the crate willingly but once
there she's fine. When she suspects that they are getting ready to leave,
she starts taking things from the house and depositing them in the yard via
the doggy door. These items aren't *her* items but the owners' items and
there's no rhyme or reason to what she takes. She seems to select items
that will certainly forestall the owner's departure though because they have
to go outside and retrieve them. I just thought that was funny. They said
they love her to pieces but sometimes regret having acquired an intelligent
dog lol.

I know that one of the Boxers I had here, who now lives with my sister, used
to try and keep her from leaving for work but taking her travel coffee mug
from the counter and hiding it. He'd occasionally steal her work shoes and
once took off with the keys. He must have realized that they made too much
noise so he gave them up. That went on for about 6 months after he moved
in.

Fancy doesn't have a "don't go!" behavior. When I am getting ready to
leave, she waits and then when I pick up my keys, she goes to her crate,
turns and faces me, waiting for me to come and close the door. She's such a
good girl.

--
Tara