How do I train my dog to stop taking things?

In the life of raising a dog, have you ever experienced such a scene: when you return home, you find that the pillow on the sofa has "blown", the slippers are nowhere to be found, and the snacks on the coffee table have been swept away, and the culprit - your own dog, is holding the spoils, wagging its tail like a rattle, and looking forward to the credit. I believe that every dog ​​owner has encountered such a scene. Facing the mess, they are angry and helpless, and shout in their hearts countless times: How can I make the dog change the habit of taking things randomly?

There are many complex reasons behind the dog's random taking of things. From an instinctive point of view, dogs are born with the desire to explore and play. They perceive the world through their mouths, and any novel objects are full of attraction to them. Just like a puppy who has just arrived at a new home, it is full of curiosity about everything around it and will look for things to play with. In this process, they don't know which things can be taken and which ones cannot. In addition, when dogs feel lonely, bored, or lack sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, they will also pass the time and find fun by taking things randomly. There is an office worker owner who has little time to accompany his dog every day due to his busy work. When the dog is alone at home, he will rummage through boxes and cabinets, looking for various items to relieve loneliness. The house is often a mess, and the owner feels tired and helpless every time he goes home. ​

After understanding the reasons, we can formulate training strategies in a targeted manner. First of all, we must provide dogs with sufficient exercise and mental stimulation. A dog that gets the right amount of exercise every day will be healthier physically and mentally, and will not have too much energy to cause damage. Take the dog out for a walk or run every morning and evening to let them release their energy. You can also play some interactive games with the dog, such as throwing a ball, tug-of-war, etc., to enhance the relationship between each other and meet the dog's need to play. For example, an owner was originally troubled by the problem of the dog taking things randomly, but later took the dog to the park to run and play Frisbee games after get off work every day. After a period of time, the dog became quiet and well-behaved after returning home, and no longer rummaged around.​

Preparing a variety of toys for dogs is also the key to solving the problem. Different types of toys can meet the different needs of dogs. Chewing toys can help dogs relieve the discomfort of teething, and educational toys can stimulate their intelligence and let them exercise in play. When dogs are interested in items at home, guide them to play with special toys in time. For example, when you find that the dog is about to bite the sofa, quickly take a chewable toy to attract its attention, shift its interest from the sofa to the toy, and give praise and rewards when the dog plays with the toy. ​

Establishing clear rules and boundaries is crucial to training dogs. Dogs need to know which behaviors are allowed and which are not acceptable. When you find that the dog is taking things randomly, stop it in time and say "no" or "put it down" in a serious tone. But don't beat or scold the dog, which will not only make the dog feel scared and confused, but also may destroy the trust relationship between each other. You can use the method of ignoring. When the dog takes things randomly, don't pay attention to them, let them know that this behavior will not get a response from the owner. When the dog obeys the command and puts down the items, praise and reward should be given in time, such as snacks, petting or praise. ​

In addition, it is also an essential measure to properly store valuables and dangerous items and put them out of reach of the dog. Items such as medicines, detergents, and wires may threaten their life safety once they are eaten or bitten by dogs.

In the process of training dogs, patience and persistence are the keys to success. The behavior habits of dogs cannot be changed overnight, and we need to guide and train them day after day. Every progress of the dog is worth our joy; every time we encounter setbacks, we should not give up easily. Dogs are our most loyal companions, and they accompany us with unconditional love. Through scientific training methods, helping dogs change the habit of taking things randomly can not only make our lives more comfortable, but also allow dogs to better integrate into the family and establish a deeper emotional bond with us.