Summary:
If your dog steals toys and treats from your other pets you already know how frustrating this habit can be. This article provides some practical tips dog owners can use to stop even the most determined canine thief.

Details or Sample:
If you have a dog that constantly steals toys, treats and other goodies from the other dogs in your household, then you already know how frustrating this behavior can be. And even if your pooch is behaving perfectly now, chances are you will encounter this sort of thing at some point.

Dogs are naturally territorial, and some of them can be quite aggressive about the items they feel are theirs. This includes not only food but toys and other favorite objects as well. It is important for dog owners to keep in mind that dogs who steal toys and treats from other animals or from their human companions are not doing it out of spite or any other nefarious reason.

That does not mean, of course, that this type of behavior is acceptable. Dogs who steal from their canine companions could be putting themselves at risk, especially if they run into a more aggressive dog down the line. And stealing food from the table can create all sorts of problems for all the two and four legged members of the family.

As with all unwanted behaviors, teaching a dog to respect the toys and treats of others all boils down to training. And when it comes to training, the sooner the better. Socializing the puppy properly from the start can nip many of these problems in the bud. And proper training helps to establish boundaries and teach the dog his expected role within his pack. And of course a good basic obedience class will help any dog become more responsive and more responsible.

In addition to the basic training every dog should have, there are some specific games dog owners can use to reinforce the idea that toys are to be shared instead of hoarded. Something as simple as a game of fetch can teach the dog that giving up a favorite toy can be both fun and rewarding. Owners can start by asking the dog to fetch and retrieve his favorite toy. When the dog brings the toy and willingly gives it up he gets a treat. This kind of positive reinforcement can go a long way toward instilling good habits in a young dog and breaking bad habits in an older one.

Owners can also interrupt their pets when they are playing and quickly take their toy away. They can keep the toy for a few seconds, play with it themselves and then give it back. This fun game will help to teach the dog that their toy is not lost permanently if they give it up.

The tactics for dealing with food aggression are much the same, and they can be just as effective. Owners can tempt their dogs away from the food dish with a doggy treat or a tasty piece of meat. While the dog is distracted, the owner picks up the bowl and puts the treat in. This is a great positive reinforcement that teaches the dog that it is not only OK but a great thing for the humans in the house to handle his food bowl.

Of course it is important to exercise caution when using any of these training techniques. Some dogs can be quite aggressive with their toys and their treats, and trying to do to much too fast could be dangerous. It is generally easier to train a puppy or young dog in what to do than it will be to train an older animal what not to do. If the dog has already picked up some bad habits it will take plenty of time and plenty of patience to turn those bad habits around.

It is best to start the process slowly when working with an older dog. Playing a game of fetch, or adding a favorite treat to the food dish, is a good place to start. As the dog slowly builds up his trust he should learn to be less aggressive around his food and his toys. It can take some time to retrain an older dog, but it is possible to teach even the worst canine thief to behave like a good citizen.

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Written by: beconrad
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