OK--picture this. You're folding the laundry and you drop a sock on the floor. Your puppy sees the sock and says, "Wow that looks like a fun toy!" Grabs the sock and runs off with it. You obviously want the sock back right? So what do you do? Chase the puppy and get the sock back, right? WRONG.
Puppies love to play. And there's nothing they like better than a good game of chase. Well, playing tug o' war is pretty fun too. When all is said you might not have much of a sock left . . . And this just doesn't happen with socks. Puppies always get a hold of things that they're not supposed to have. And you want to have a reliable method of getting these things back. And quickly!
Few puppy parents know the value of trading up. This is when you offer something of high value to your puppy in exchange for something he already has. So let's say puppy steals your sock. Instead of running after him, go and get his favorite toy, or a treat. Chances are he'll drop your sock (or whatever else he took) without a second thought so he can get his mouth around whatever it is that you have.
Chasing him around will only reinforce his naughty behavior and he will quickly learn that stealing objects is a good way to get attention. Trading up works everytime, and provides the perfect opportunity to teach the "leave-it" command.
What kind of stuff does your puppy try to steal? Did trading up work for you? I'd love to hear your comments!
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