Hi
Our Beagle pup is now just over 4 months old and everything is going really well, apart from him lifting items lying around and not giving them up on command.
He thinks it is great fun to run away when you are trying to get back a shoe or a slipper or even a tv remote control.
when you do catch him he will not give it up unless you temp him with a treat or force it of him.
Is he just being playfull and will he grow out of it. Or will i have to hang everything from the ceiling. He follows other commands easily like sit, down, stay, pee, etc. but will not drop anything on command. he has plenty of his own toys but is like a kid that wants something another kid has.

Thanks David.

Dave,
We have two lab's of which are similar to yours- gun dogs and they all like to go out and retrieve something! I think what we did with ours was that when they had something in their mouths and didnt 'give' or 'drop' they would try and get us to take it from their mouths but as far as their concerned thats another game alltogether! when they did drop or give then we praised them and offered a treat which in turn they associated droping or giving something with reward and soon came round to our way of thinking. Your pup may also think that if he gets things like a remote controller and you react by trying to get it from him/her then it will be a way of getting your attention. Try doing the above, not trying to get it from their mouths and try to reward if they do ever give it up, more often than not they might not!!!

Mark

Hi David

Rule 1. Never chase your dog if he has something you want - he is faster than you and he controls the "game":)

Rule 2. Never leave anything within reach of your pup that you don't want him to have.

Rule 3. Don't thow anything at me for pointing out rule 1

Leave something lying around (tea towel for instance) that your dog should not really have but that you are going to use for training so want him to pick up. When he goes near it say, " good dog, ". When he picks it up be very light/friendly/silly and say something like, "clever dog, what have you got, oh good boy but stay still yourself. This should confuse your pup if you have chased him up to now. Try to encourage him to come to you and when you do eventually get it then throw it away for him. Keep doing this.

You may also be able to teach him "Hold" Sit in front of each other and put something in his mouth for 1 second, say "Hold! - goood dog" and remove it. Repeat lots then do for longer. If this does work then come back and I will give you the next stage :)

Christine