dog takes our stuff and hides it....

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strongmom2009

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discussion title:

dog takes our stuff and hides it....

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6225.1

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strongmom2009

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Oct-27 11:14 pm

We have 2 dogs, one a chihuahua and one a chihuahua/mini pincher mixed. Our chihuahua we had as a puppy and is well mannered and trained. The mixed one we adopted, he was found lost in the street so we took him. He is young but not a puppy. He is a very smart dog and good with people, however, he has these habits he came with. He will potty on the dog mats but he won't poop on them and my main concern is---he has this habit of picking up things and taking them under the bed. Anything from clothes to objects to my daughter's barbie doll clothes. He keeps them there and chomps on them, ruining whatever it is. How can we fix this habit?? Any suggestions???? thanks

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joannaran

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dog takes our stuff and hides it....

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6225.2 in response to 6225.1

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joannaran

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strongmom2009

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Oct-28 8:09 am

Who knows why they do this stuff. Maybe he picks up on the scent of one of you and claims your stuff. Maybe he just wants to chew something. Training could eliminate this problem. So could blocking him from the bedroom. Or blocking access under the bed. Or just not giving him so much freedom in the house. Once he gets under the bed, he knows it's hard for you to reach him. And some dogs just love crawling under a big old bed, feels safe. I'd opt for training for a permanent solution. The main problem I see is he could eat something fatal to him, not to mention something expensive to you. I've seen the pros say take away the item he can't have and immediately replace it with something he CAN have, put it right in his mouth.

~~joannaran~~

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cl-gazebo

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discussion title:

dog takes our stuff and hides it....

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6225.3 in response to 6225.1

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cl-gazebo

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strongmom2009

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Oct-29 11:54 am

Hi strongmom and Welcome to the Board. I'm Laura and I'm the furmom to a 14YO dalmatian, Samantha and 3YO lab/mix, Cleo.

Unfortunately when you adopt a dog from a shelter/rescue, or a stray, you never know what they have gone through before you had them. Your little boy could have been deprived of food or toys, and now wants some things that are "his" even though they are yours. Or, as joannaran mentioned, he may just feel secure with items that have your scent.

I agree that you need to find a way to block his access to your bedroom and bed. In addition, you may want to keep him crated when he cannot be watched. I'm not sure how long you've had him but even an adult dog adopted from a shelter should be crated for the short term....to acclimate him/her to a new home.

Training, of course, is the best solution. If you catch your boy taking something that isn't appropriate take it from him and replace it with an appropriate toy. Then praise him highly.

As for the potty issue, as I mentioned, I'm not sure how long you have him. In his former home he may have not had those types of mats....he may have been used to being walked to eliminate. Again, this will take some time but if your other dog uses these mats to eliminate, he should "get it" in time. When he does go on the mat, be sure to praise him.

Good luck and please let us help in any way that we can.