This isn't a big problem, but I just wondered if it is possible to ensure my 16 month old Cav obeys when I am not looking. I often catch him sneaking away with something he knows full well he shouldn't have. You can see the guilty look on his face. Also, the other day, my husband went out and I hid behind my bedroom door. If we go out, we usually shut the bedroom door as that room is out of bounds to dogs. The dogs know they are not allowed in that room too, as when we are in there they sit patiently at the door. They never ever attempt to enter the room if we are around. Anyway, I hid behind the door. I heard the front door close after my hubby went out and only about two minutes later I heard my dogs coming up the stairs. Little puppy went into his bedroom and started to play with his squeaky banana. His big brother, however, came strolling into the bedroom as casually as you like, sniffing the odd shoe here and the odd sock there. Then he looked round and froze when he saw me. You could see the panic and guilt on his face. Poor boy. Then he flew out of the room. He knows he's not allowed on the dining table but when I'm upstairs for a while I come down to find he is. He knows he's not allowed to take things from the coffee table but look away and it's gone.

Is he just testing his position in the house? Is he just trying to get hold of things that remind him of me and hubby? Can I train this out of him?

I don't know what others will say, but to be honest i suspect it is possible to spend a lifetime trying to get dogs to obey certain rules :D :) .

My dog will go to the bin if she's left in the kitchen, I now just place a tin on top of it and that stops her. I tend to "manage" the situation I suppose :) and use child gates, and ensure she cannot counter surf, etc. She is intensely curious and doesn't really steal ( except once in a blue moon from the bin) but just loves to see what is what and what it smells like, etc.

Many people do set up "traps" or use a sort of environmental correction, where the bin or the stolen item surprises the would -be thief.....such as tin cans on the counters, set up to fall off when a nosey dog puts paws up, etc.

As i understand it, it is very difficult to "tell a dog off" when he does stuff when you're not looking, because he will associate being told off with your presence, so thinks it is OK when you're not there, as in his mind he cann0t understand the reason you tell him off - sorry that is probably clear as mud :rolleyes: :p

I'll be interested to see what others do :)

LIndsay

Ha Ha - I bet most of us would get up to all sorts if we thought no one was looking and we'd get away with it :D
If you believe he knows he shouldn't have something, then the chances are he will have been corrected or reprimanded when he has tried to take it before and you have been watching. The 'guilty expression' on his face then is fear of retribution from you! Whilst you're about and watching him then if he goes to take that article you will stop him so he won't even bother but hey - you disappear and it's fair game! Same about entry into the forbidden bedroom.
This is totally normal behaviour.
He's a curious opportunist and if you don't want him in your room then shut the door and pick up what you don't want him to have when you go out :).

Lara

Im sorry but I Laughed out Loud at the thought of you hiding behind the door :) :) :) now I may be a bit dim here but dont you think your dog will have picked up your scent and looked for you in the room :) ??

Im still smiling thanks for making me laugh Ive been pretty fed up today:)

Ps: The squeaky banana LOL LOL

Well I know about the guilty looks! Purdey (our oldest lab) is a bit of a new show fetishist(?) - and if anyone in our house is daft enough to buy new leather shoes and NOT put them away .... well, Purdey finds them, chews the back - and then, when we come home she "confesses" - she stands with her tail between her legs, as if she is about to receive a beating (which she has NEVER EVER had) beside the Utility Room door - "Ive been a bad bad girl" - then we go looking for the shoe! She is 12 now - and still sniffs hopefully at new shoe boxes - it used to cost a fortune when No 3 son was a teenager!

Sorry all for joking about this but I am in a Xmasy mood..my hubby says he has the same problem with me.. :-)

Pam

Ooh Pam ..I am feeling Christmassy too :D Shall we deck the halls ?

;)

Melody

Melody I have just posted a link in the gossip section go have a look and listen ..LOL

Pam :-0

Does he hide behind the bedroom door ;)

Oh yes.....blush LOL

But generally tocatch me sneaking in new shoes or doggy things..

Pam :-)

I think that with dogs
....rules to follow when you are present to enforce vs. rules to follow in your absence are completely different from one another.
Why????? It just is (shrugs shoulders) ;) :)

I've noticed that Samma is never on "my" chair when I"m in the house or awake. But late at night, she parks herself there if she's left to her own devices. I'm sure she does the same when I'm gone :P :)

It could possibly be that in your absence your dog views himself as moving up the pack rank structure to 'be in charge.' You're not there to enforce your "territory" (the bedroom) ergo -- it's fair game :rolleyes:

You were found to be there by surprise ---oops, acknowledge leader's territory and slink off quietly to not cause 'leader' to exibit dominance.... or you just gave him "That Look" which he responded to :D :D :D

I don't know if this makes any sense.... but I sure remember taking advantage of parents' rare moments of absence to watch the forbidden MTV, even though I knew I wasn't supposed to :rolleyes: :D :D :D
Anyone have their teen throw a huge party in their absence???? ;) :D ;)
toodles

Actually No 3 son (referred to in my earlier posting) always SWEARS it is the cats'n'dogs who have the parties in our absence :-) :-)

He also alleges that Buster (our getting on a bit black persian stud) is actually BUSTA the RASTA who controls the catnip distribution in these parts!