My Lab puppy is about 15 months old now, and still can't seem to keep him out of the kitchen trashcan. After he ate the old one, I bought one with the lid that pops up when you step on a lever. Work for a while, but he eventually figured out how to knock it over. So I filled the bottom with about 30 pounds of lead. Couple of weeks later, he managed to tip it over again, so added another 20 lbs, solved that problem so far. He's still managed to get into last week twice. Didn't make much sense, since the lid is held down pretty good, figured it must be a little painful to raise it with his nose. Caught him today, helping himself to some chicken bones. He steps on the lever. Guess I'm going to put some kind of latch or lock on it. Kind of kills the convenience of it though. It's kind of spooky though, and got me to wondering what else he has learned from watching me. How long before he starts opening doors, or turning on water faucets. He's only about half way to adulthood, but he's already getting past being a destructive puppy.

 

Could you make it electric? uC and a hand held remote with an IR transmitter?


Guess I got carried away (^__^)

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Some pet stores sell "bitter apple" spray that's used a deterrent towards keeping pets away from specific home areas/items. I don't know how well it works and for that matter how long it would be before your dog would return to the same habit once you stopped spraying the stuff.

Visit a public library as they often have pet training books/videos available. There are some novel solutions to these problems and until you learn of them and try them out.....

When push comes to shove, maybe you just need to "crack his ass" often!!!
You don't necessarily need to catch him in the act. Just drag his butt over to the can a few times daily, say NO! NO! very sternly while looking him directly in the eyes, then smack him under his chin, but not hard. Smacking under the chi is preferred since they don't see your hand coming at them and greatly reduces the chances of future hand-biting or cringing. This technique is really a last ditch effort that often works for problem pooches!

Bring him close to your PC monitor-- I'll slap him for ya!!

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I've read about the bitter apple stuff, seems to only work with some puppies when very young, some seem to like the stuff. Kind of doubtful mine would be bothered by it, probably like it. Mine drinks strong black coffee, if I leave it where he can get at it.

I know striking an animal has worked well as a training method, but I don't. Labs aren't an aggressive breed, but doesn't mean he can't learn. My way takes longer, and more patience, but better results in the end. My previous dog was a Rottweiler mix, he was huge, but basically harmless. He put up a good show, very protective, and only bit a few other dogs (really hated pitbulls for some reason...). Thing is, they learn not to do something, but they also learn to hurt if they get pissed off enough.

The problem is that I don't feed him a lot of people food, so if he smells it in there, he gets curious and wants to try some. Pretty sure he'll grow out of it. My first thoughts were to install a shocker, but probably I'd get the shock eventually. No way to gage how much would be enough, or too much. I've got one of those stick-on loud door/window alarms somewhere, thinking of trying that if I run across it. Don't remember if it latches on, or self resets.

 

We had our trash can in a closet/pantry. Raised a black lab and golden retriever, never a problem. Is something like that a possibility? Maybe a child fence until he grows out of it?

John

 

I had mine trained good the dog was the best until one night we left yummy steak to close to the edge of the counter. My daughter came in and boom she was busted sampling the steak.

That chicken bone thing is bad news watch out that results in vet bills. They can puncture intestines because of the way the bones split into sharp pieces.

I never allow them to even make it to the can most scraps are taken straight away to the garbage. Her nose is so sensitive I'll bet she could be a good tracker I will put things she's never seen before and straight away she can sniff them out.

(HarveyH42Try a little Dog whispering ) kv

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Dog: 1, Harvey: 0

Sorry, couldn't resist.

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You should give your daughter steak more often.

John

 

I know bones are bad, and don't give them to him. Find out in a day or two how that works out for him. Hoping the pass, like everything else he's eaten, and should have... Been lucky so far, and he seem to be past consuming non-food items.

No room to hide the can, but will make the trip to the garbage, lot cheaper than the vet.
Might try and bait him into opening the can to get it on video. He did it with so normally, just like a person would. Definitely wasn't dumb-luck, he knew what he was doing. Would be cool if he'd pick up after himself. He's been a real baseball/softball fan for the past few weeks. Got string all over the house, wish he'd hurry up and get one of the unwound to the center, so I can see what the core looks like.

 

Now that you mention it she does too.

I catch her always eating a little as she goes by ?

I got real problems at home.

Now if I can only keep the 12 month old out of the garbage can.


Thanks John.

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Give him some training and it will all go away. reward often for good behavior I get these cheap dry strips of meat at the dollar store. 2 bucks a bag I buy them out when I go. I give a couple every night or when I'm training (The dog) John The dog.

kv

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Some very finely **HOT** chopped chillies mixed in with the meat should do the trick.

It might take a few tries but I'm sure that he'll get the hint that the stuff in the bin isn't as appealing as it used to be after getting his mouth burnt a few times

 

Good idea, but I believe spicy foods tend to cause diarrhea, body wants to rise that stuff out quick, its an irritant. Rather not clean up the mess, that's why he doesn't get my food in the first place. Don't think it would work either. He drinks coffee, beer. Catches bees and wasps, stands in fire ant mounds, then licks the off his legs. Chewed through an extension could (has done it since that one though...).

He gets training everyday, mostly just the basics (stand,sit, lay down, say please), but I do try to get him doing some more advanced stuff, just not quite ready yet. Haven't gotten him to pick up the newspaper yet, but he will carry it into the house if I put it in his mouth. Unfortunately, he needs to be on the lease, or he runs around the neighborhood. Really likes the illegals down the street, but it might just be for the beer, I seldom buy any...

 

My lab is now about 6 years old, still destroys everything plastic. Digs holes everywhere, destroy all nice smelling plants, but other that, very well behaved.
I had a rotty at school, the dog slept in my room when young, if it needed to go out for a number one or two and I would not wake up, she would open the door (fully latched) and go put her wet cold nose against my dad's stomach.
Needless to say, my dad would crap me out the next day, and I not have a clue what the heck was going on.
Then I noticed the claw scratches on the door one day as she would slid down after grabbing the door handle.
At least my dad understood.

Chicken bones are dangerous because they are dry, extracts a lot of juices from the gut, expands and block the gut. Slow painful death for the dog.
That is the real danger.

 

How about a picture? I love puppy pictures, and who doesnt

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