[OregonGal]

My 8mo lab mix is really good about so many things, but he has one persistant bad boy habit. When he sees an opportunity to grab something that is not "his" he snatches it and runs off. I've worked and worked with him on drop it, but if we try and get what he has, he dances just out of reach. I know not to give chase or make it seem like a big deal, so I usually give him the drop it command and then try to ignore him, but it's hard to stand by and watch him get a good chew on something he really shouldn't have.
We try very hard to keep non-doggy things out of his reach, and in the house we usually can do a bait-n-switch with one of his toys, but outside he is really a smart alec and when he doesn't want to come, or knows he's got something you want, he is impossible. Today for example, I was rolling up the hose and he decided to grab it and take off. My only option was to keep reeling it it with him on the end like a big fish, but I'm sure he thought that was a game. As soon as he was in reach he did drop it and then skipped out of reach and wouldn't come, or sit. Suggestions?
Thanks

[Curbside Prophet]

Originally Posted by OregonGal

I've worked and worked with him on drop it, but if we try and get what he has, he dances just out of reach.

Have you worked and worked on "take-it" too? I like to put problem behaviors on cue so I can impart some control over the behavior. In your dog's case clearly drop is NOT motivating, take-it is! So if you want to strengthen his drop behavior, use a reinforcer as a consequence for that behavior, and I'm suggesting "take-it".

A game of tug is a great place to teach and reinforce both of these behaviors - it builds trust and it accomplishes the goal of you facilitating the dog. Plus, it's rather simple to play. The game has rules, however. If at any point the dog nips you even if by accident, the game is over. We want to teach bite control as well. From there the game consists of tugging, asking for drop, perhaps a sit and eye contact on you, not the toy, and resuming the game again. The impulse control and eye contact is something you'll have to build up to if your dog does not already have these behaviors.

The question is, does your dog like tug and will he drop the tug on command?

[Alpha]

I'd work on take it and leave it. It doesn't take long at all. I did it with the MIL's dog today who has absolutely no formal training and he'll leave a hunk-a-ham if he's alone in the kitchen. Took him less then 5 minutes.

I'd also leash the dog so he can still snatch, but he can't run The game probably won't be as much fun if he can't run away.

[Chupa Cabras]

I have the same problem Watson just turned 1 year, and he loves this game. He will purposely get something he shouldn't have, then stand where I can see him and roll it around in his mouth to show me he has it. If I don't respond, he bounces closer, and 'shows' me there is something that I simply 'must' take away from him. It's all about the chase!

He knows 'take it' and 'leave it', but that doesn't work when he wants this game. Under the dining room table is his hide-out when he has some ill-gotten booty, so I have to get on my hands and knees and crawl under. I've tried 'exchanging' for a toy, but it's the chase he wants, not the toy.

I'm just waiting for him to outgrow this stage