Grandpa vs Dogs - Page 5

you couldn't train him to "leave it"?  personally i've never had a problem with teaching my dogs to leave containers alone. i've had younger dogs  counter surf but between reducing temptation and training them "4 on the floor" we've been able get past it, but i would never leave a roast sitting on the counter and the dogs running free and no one there - it would just be mean:)  but i've never had them steal a closed container and devour it.  i did have a problem with one male. i got him so he never touched my food even if it was sitting on the floor but i then noticed he would sneak licks of other people's food so i had to make it clear to him that i expected him to treat everyone's food the way he treated mine:) it took a few tries and some upkeep but he learned to leave food alone that was not given to him.

Because the man is 87 yrs old and forgetful, justcurious.  Buying all the tupperware or whatever else kind of container won't make a difference because he doesn't remember he put the damn cheese down after a couple minutes until an hour later when he gets hungry.  My dogs think containers are just short term fun puzzles anyway. 

Look guys, let this thread die, I have found my solution,  Thanks M.  

Lemme know how things go Sue. My dog rarely came inside when younger so we didn't have "house" issues. Now that he is inside as an adult and "smart" enough to know, no means NO all  the time, we don't have any issues with food as of yet or even the garbage can. He peers in it or sniffs it occasionally but I have seen him pass up food laying right on top. If this doesn't continue to be the case, I may have to start slapping him around. It's time I start working more in the food refusal anyway for trial. He does put his nose right up to the edge of the dinning table when we eat and I am teaching him that isn't cool, but at least he isn't jumping up on the middle of the table or anything crazy.

Always good to pick up ideas and store them in my brain. The next pup may be a counter surfer. I once had a dog that wouldn't touch my plate, if left right in front of her but she sure grabbed our steaks off the BBQ, fire be damned. LOL Dogs are strange. So are old farts.

If a dog is well trained enough they should know to leave the food alone. Put it away, give me a break, people. The food is not on the floor, its on a TABLE.  Dog training via avoidance is utterly useless and in no way teaches the dog what is and is not acceptable.

I have also recommended mousetraps with a sheet of newspaper over the top, so the pop of the trap alerts the owner to what the dog is doing and is able to come in and correct the dog in a timely fashion.  While I expect, sue, your dog won't care about the actual noise, it does take away his stealth advantage.

sueinc - i meant no offense to your dh father - my dad is 83.  i grew up with my grandfather and he liked having a container on his table to stash food he didn't want others to steal - both kids or dogs <g> .  and now as an adult i find this works very well for me too with my kids and dogs.  i keep a container with foods like nuts or jerky and the dogs, who always know just where it is :)  have learned that it is mine and they are not welcome to help themselves to it.  glad to hear you've a solution that works for you.

mystere - your dog it still very young i'm sure you have training methods that are working for you but you might be interested in SATS www.synalia.com i found it to be a great addition to my "bag of tricks" particularly when it comes to teaching manners without stifling, repressing or punishing the dogs.

Really guys, let it go, I've solved the problem.  I am not looking for any more alternatives, I am aware there are many ways to the top of the mountain, I was merely asking if anyone thought the trap might inflict serious injury.  Don't worry, took everyones advise and didn't go buy any mouse traps.  Instead we got out the trusty rusty bear snare from out back in the woods & after we set the snare trap up on the table the damn dog walked right into it, and then had the audacity to make a little noise about it, so we hung him upside down for a couple hours, and well,  he's nice and quiet now and seems to be getting around pretty good on 3 legs.

LOL