HOw do i get my dog to drop things from her mouth

03-19-2008

HI,
I just joined this forum in the hopes that I can learn some new ways to get my dog to drop things from her mouth when i request her to.I just started watching the series Dog Whisperer and have now realized that that i need to be trained to be the pack leader and not my dog.Once my dog gets a tennis ball a bottle cap or a bone there is no way that she will give it up.She growls and shows her teeth.She is not aggressive with her dog food.When i take her dish away from her she is fine.It is only when she gets things in her moth.At that point it is hers.I also have problems with clipping her nails.I now realize that we have allowed her behaviors to go on for a long time.Basically we have just resigned ourselves that we cannot change this bad habit.Any help with this problem would be greatly appreciated,information is power

04-03-2008

I (almost) never react with anger to my dog. I don't want her to be afraid of or threatened by me. When we play fetch, the dog comes back, but won't drop the toy when I say "drop it". I put my hand over her snout and gently squeeze her lips against her teeth and repeat the command "drop it".

I do the same when she's "play biting", but I use the command "no bite" and she stops immediately.

04-04-2008

Hi!
I am a dog training instructor at a local dog club in Atlanta. There are two very effective ways to teach the dog to give you ANYTHING in it's mouth.

1. When the dog has something that is not really disirable to you in it's mouth ttake dog treat from the place where you keep them and offer it to her. At the same time give the command "Out" or "Give It". She can not eat her cookie and keep her object and the same time so she should drop the object for the cookie. At tthat point take the dropped object and give her HEAPS of praise and "Good girl!"s.
NOTE: Be sure the treat is big enough that it will take her a second to eat it!!

2. Teach a strong "Leave it" command and then apply it BEFORE she gets the item.

I hope this helps you build a lasting relationship without the issue of stealing things!!

Talk to you later!
agirlandsixpups