[tw1n]

My puppies are to the age where they can pull stuff off of my coffe table.

Now I know that the easiest method of stopping this is to simply not leave anything on the table, But I'm just wondering if there are any other methods.

They have chewed two pairs of my wifes sunglasses, and constantly eat the empty starbucks cups my wife sits on the table.



Any suggestions?

 

[Marsh Muppet]

Now I know that the easiest method of stopping this is to simply not leave anything on the table, But I'm just wondering if there are any other methods.

You've already hit upon the most elegant solution. Puppies can resist anything but temptation.

 

[RonE]

With puppies, and with adult dogs (children, etc.), it's good to learn to pick your battles.

Limiting opportunities for them to fail allows you to focus on problems not so easily avoided.

 

[TxRider]

Train them "leave it" with certain temptations on the table, and only leave things on the table when training them to leave stuff alone on it.

And just keep working on it until the pup grows up and it becomes ingrained that stuff on the table is off limits.

Can't expect a pup to learn to resist all temptation easily, but they can learn over time.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Start working on the "leave it" cue... but until they have fully mastered that cue you need to stop leaving stuff where your pups can get it if you don't want them to get it.

 

[tw1n]

Yeah we just started "leave it" this weekend.

My biggest fear is they are anataloian shepard/boxer... so if they get the anatolian shepard size they will be taking stuff off my counters and dinning room table here in the next few years.

 

[FourIsCompany]

I started training my puppies at a very young age that "If it's not on the floor, it's not yours". I did this by using a different tack to the leave it command. I put a medium value treat on the table and when the dog started for it, I said, "eh-eh". And if he looked at me, I praised him and put a high value treat on the floor for him.

Today, I can put a plate of raw buffalo burgers on the table and while the noses go crazy, not one time have any of them gone for it. I have left the room and watched them sniff, look around and then go lie down.

I know not everyone approves of using aversives, but I don't care. My dogs are trustworthy to leave in the house on their own and they never take things off the counters or tables. If I leave something on the floor (which I have done), that's my mistake.

 

[jesirose]

I know not everyone approves of using aversives, but I don't care.

What is the aversive here? a verbal uh-uh?

 

[FourIsCompany]

What is the aversive here? a verbal uh-uh?

Yes. That's what I meant by aversive. I don't really care what it's called technically (I call it an interrupter) but some call it an aversive.

 

[tw1n]

I started training my puppies at a very young age that "If it's not on the floor, it's not yours". I did this by using a different tack to the leave it command. I put a medium value treat on the table and when the dog started for it, I said, "eh-eh". And if he looked at me, I praised him and put a high value treat on the floor for him.

Today, I can put a plate of raw buffalo burgers on the table and while the noses go crazy, not one time have any of them gone for it. I have left the room and watched them sniff, look around and then go lie down.

I know not everyone approves of using aversives, but I don't care. My dogs are trustworthy to leave in the house on their own and they never take things off the counters or tables. If I leave something on the floor (which I have done), that's my mistake.

I'll give that a shot, it sounds possible.