Keeps stealing stuff...

Speedy2662 · 03-12-2013, 04:25 PM

I am so tired of Zack lately. He has been such a nightmare, my family and I just can't stand it anymore.
Zack keeps stealing stuff, no matter what it is if it's a hanky, some trash outside or whatever he keeps taking it and running...
Today he stole my dad's tablets and I raged pretty badly as I knew if he swallowed them it would cost a lot to get him to the vet but fortunately these tablets aren't dangerous to dogs...
And lately he has been pulling on the leash so badly, jumping on dogs, etc... I just don't know what to do...
He's a 6 months collie... Please help ;(

volcano · 03-12-2013, 04:34 PM

If you chase after him itll be a fun game and never end. Try having a high value toy around that you can get him to come to you and trade items?

mego · 03-12-2013, 04:35 PM

Never ever chase him when he steals stuff. Distract him, go do something more fun, bust out some really good meat and eat it right there in front of him, offer a piece.

You can try a head collar for the poor leash walking, I heard it works good but a lot of dogs hate it. Practice leash walking in an open field away from other dogs, leave him on leash attached to your belt in the house so he gets better at realizing that he has to go where you want, not where he wants.

Maybe take him to a training class too, he may just be bored and thats why he steals stuff - is he exercised a lot?

Speedy2662 · 03-12-2013, 04:58 PM

He does go to training classes.
I try to exercise him whenever I can, but due to exams and all that recently it's bit a harder time.

Bear GSD · 03-12-2013, 05:06 PM

Adam, you just have to remember that Zack is still a puppy and when you chase him to retreive things that he's stolen it's because it's a game to him and he knows you are going to chase him. Try playing games with him that involve him chasing you! This will help with recall.

Just go back to last year when you would do anything just to have a puppy. Do you remember how long it took to convince your family? This is what you wanted so desperately and I know it's hard going through the puppy phase, but believe me it doesnt last long

AngelaA6 · 03-12-2013, 05:07 PM

I always find my puts ball and throw it so how drops what he has and goes after the ball. It gives me a chance to pick up what he stole if he isn't coming when called.

AngelaA6 · 03-12-2013, 05:08 PM

And i meant pups not puts. Auto correct

Sunflowers · 03-12-2013, 05:09 PM

You're in for at least two years of this.
He is entering the teenage phase and needs something to do.

Naughty Border Collie Puppies | Suite101

Magwart · 03-12-2013, 05:51 PM

Your sig says he knows "Leave It." So....why aren't you using that when he steals stuff, instead of chasing the dog to get the item back?

Speedy2662 · 03-12-2013, 06:02 PM

He won't listen if he's running from me... The slightest move i make he runs the whole room like 2 times :P

03-12-2013, 04:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	Keeps stealing stuff... I am so tired of Zack lately. He has been such a nightmare, my family and I just can't stand it anymore. Zack keeps stealing stuff, no matter what it is if it's a hanky, some trash outside or whatever he keeps taking it and running... Today he stole my dad's tablets and I raged pretty badly as I knew if he swallowed them it would cost a lot to get him to the vet but fortunately these tablets aren't dangerous to dogs... And lately he has been pulling on the leash so badly, jumping on dogs, etc... I just don't know what to do... He's a 6 months collie... Please help ;( __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

03-12-2013, 04:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
mego Master Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 575	Never ever chase him when he steals stuff. Distract him, go do something more fun, bust out some really good meat and eat it right there in front of him, offer a piece. You can try a head collar for the poor leash walking, I heard it works good but a lot of dogs hate it. Practice leash walking in an open field away from other dogs, leave him on leash attached to your belt in the house so he gets better at realizing that he has to go where you want, not where he wants. Maybe take him to a training class too, he may just be bored and thats why he steals stuff - is he exercised a lot? __________________ Lara “美” 12/14/2012

03-12-2013, 04:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	He does go to training classes. I try to exercise him whenever I can, but due to exams and all that recently it's bit a harder time. __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

03-12-2013, 05:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bear GSD Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 1,930	Adam, you just have to remember that Zack is still a puppy and when you chase him to retreive things that he's stolen it's because it's a game to him and he knows you are going to chase him. Try playing games with him that involve him chasing you! This will help with recall. Just go back to last year when you would do anything just to have a puppy. Do you remember how long it took to convince your family? This is what you wanted so desperately and I know it's hard going through the puppy phase, but believe me it doesnt last long __________________ Bear GSD 10/16/11 Elsa GSD 12/23/03 - 11/10/11

03-12-2013, 05:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
AngelaA6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington Posts: 391	Re: Keeps stealing stuff... I always find my puts ball and throw it so how drops what he has and goes after the ball. It gives me a chance to pick up what he stole if he isn't coming when called.

03-12-2013, 04:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
volcano Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 428	If you chase after him itll be a fun game and never end. Try having a high value toy around that you can get him to come to you and trade items?

03-12-2013, 05:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
AngelaA6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Washington Posts: 391	Re: Keeps stealing stuff... And i meant pups not puts. Auto correct

03-12-2013, 05:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sunflowers Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 4,676	You're in for at least two years of this. He is entering the teenage phase and needs something to do. Naughty Border Collie Puppies \| Suite101 __________________ Norden von Narnia--Hans, dob 1-15-2012 http://pdgf.pitapata.com/uC6lm4.png

03-12-2013, 05:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Magwart Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 590	Your sig says he knows "Leave It." So....why aren't you using that when he steals stuff, instead of chasing the dog to get the item back?

03-12-2013, 06:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Speedy2662 Master Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: UK Posts: 501	He won't listen if he's running from me... The slightest move i make he runs the whole room like 2 times :P __________________ Zack: 9/9/12 - Living like a king Potty trained! Yay Tricks Known: Sit Down Give Paw Bang! (Play Dead) Leave it Come (In progress!)

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