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Molly

molly is extremely obsessive with food. what can i do to stop this???

molly is VERY food obsessed! when we eat we do not eat at the table..we eat on the couches. molly will sit and beg and beg. we say back up until she is at least 3 feet from us, then tell her to sit. she does well for about 2 mins then she comes closer and begs. then when we are least expecting it she lunges and steels things away from our plates. it is 'impossible' to push her away because she is so strong and determined. she does this to anyone including family or perfect strangers. she is also a counter surfer..including one incident 2days ago when she counter surfed and got pork chop bones! i really don't know what to do! i need advice, and info on how to stop her! PS, we rarely give her human food. THANX!!


Asked by Molly on Nov 1st 2009 in Methods of Training
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Burkett's Cookies 'n' Creme

When you are eating, you need to crate her up. (Or, put her up in a small room if you can't or don't want to crate.) As for counter surfing, do not leave anything on the counters after you're through with it.


Burkett's Cookies 'n' Creme answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Chocolate

lock her in a room until your done eating.


Chocolate answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Milo, CGC

Instead of rarely giving her human food, don't give it to her at all! Ignore her completely when you are eating. I would have her settle on her mat, bed, etc. When she makes a fuss, silently direct her back to her bed and go back to eating.

Talking to her or yelling "no" is still attention and she thinks she can get what she wants out of you. Ignoring her completely will get her to understand that what you're doing won't get her anything and is therefore boring. It will take a little while but it's worth it to eat in peace :)


Milo, CGC answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dunkin

I know what you mean about conter surfing. We lost some steaks on the conter that we got for a special meal. Ended up havig soup. The best idea i have seen and what we did was to put the dog outside while you eat. And as far as the counter. You are just going to have to learn to put everything up or away and not give them a chance to get it.
'this is a good habit to start anyway so that you dont leave something on the counter like cookes high up to not make them sick.


Dunkin answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Dieta

hmmm, this sounds very familar.:)

I would say maybe yes, putting the dog outside til you are done or in the crate.

They love to eat like us so the temptations are there.
And make sure you don't leave any food ontop of the counters.
We have to be careful also.


Dieta answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


♥ DEOGIE ♥

I would eat at my kitchen table, (great time to catch up on days events with the family) put a baby gate up to the kitchen or put her outside. She does not need to be in the same room with you while your eating, especially when she is so forward about helping herself.
As for the counter surfing never leave food unattended. As soon as your done eating, immediately throw whatever is needed into the garbage. If you have food out, waiting for people to possibly get seconds put it in the oven or microwave. Train her to stay away from the counters always, a firm no whenever she gets near the counter. I made the mistake of turning my back on Deogie once when he was a puppy and he grabbed my roast off the counter that I was just about to serve to a housefull of guest. I immediately started the stay away from counter training. Little bugger!!!!!
Deogie does at times gets a bit of left over steak but he only gets it given in his food bowl and only after dishes are cleaned up and put away.


♥ DEOGIE ♥ answered 3 weeks, 2 days ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Guest

Molly's high food drive can actually work toward your benefit. A high drive dog is great for marker training. Molly needs to learn the "place" command. Then you can send her to her designated "place" while the family is eating. As it might take a little while to train the place command. Molly should be crated while you guys eat your dinner. Better yet let her eat her dinner in her crate while you guys are eating yours.


Guest 476219 answered 3 weeks ago. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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