Oh boy

[SamanthaBrynn]

Okay so to update, my dogs are getting a long much better.
I'm back with a heavy heart. I need your help
(Thread where I asked for help)

Casper has started to tolerate Callie much better. We aren't best friends yet but there has been lots of progress and he will sometimes play with her but only for a little while. That having been said...Callie has become a little toy stealing maniac. Whatever Casper is playing with she walks by takes it and keeps going...if he grabs something else, she takes it too. She doesn't want it, she'll just lay on it so he can't have it. So I take it away, tell her NO and give her another toy - but no, she doesn't care...she just takes it right back! 7 mos old and she listens to no one lol. Any ideas or do we just need to grow out of this? She also is VERY protective of her crate. If Casper even looks at her crate, she whines loudly and runs for the crate door to get in. Furry lil monster!

[Gracie's My Girl]

Whenever my dog tries to steal something from another dog, I always step in and stop her. Gracie is absolutely not allowed to do it under any conditions. Personally, I think you need to step in and get this behavior to stop. Work on building her listening skills and teach her to leave it. Allowing her to make off with Casper's toys is incredibly unfair and I can imagine that he is only going to tolerate it for so long.

[Lesley1905]

I agree...I am a big supporter of the "leave it" command!

[SamanthaBrynn]

We are trying to use the leave it command but I tell ya, it's like talking to a wall sometimes. Is this her age or just being stubborn?

[Gracie's My Girl]

I have an 8.5 month old dog. She is constantly testing boundaries. The key is that every command we give her...we reinforce. Failure is never one of her options. Her age cannot be seen as an excuse for her behavior.

If I were you, I would put a leash on Callie. Every time she goes for the toy, tell her to leave it, give the leash a pull towards you, and give her lots of praise and treats when she comes to you.

Work relentlessly on her training and you will see great results.

[SamanthaBrynn]

Originally Posted by Gracie's My Girl

I have an 8.5 month old dog. She is constantly testing boundaries. The key is that every command we give her...we reinforce. Failure is never one of her options. Her age cannot be seen as an excuse for her behavior.

If I were you, I would put a leash on Callie. Every time she goes for the toy, tell her to leave it, give the leash a pull towards you, and give her lots of praise and treats when she comes to you.

Work relentlessly on her training and you will see great results.

Thank you - that's what I was looking for. She is REALLY testing boundaries right now. I'm going to try the leash thing this evening. She is testing us big time and I don't want to fail her. Thanks for your help!

[Gracie's My Girl]

No problem! I know how hard it is to deal with an eight month old dog.

BTW - To make the leave it even more rewarding, you could treat, praise, and then play with her with a different toy.