[nagdu] scavenging

[Shanna Stichler]

I agree that using a head collar is a great idea, but also if you can do 
controlled setups with dropped food, that may help. I've put food in 
those plastic to-go containers that salads come in, and punched a few 
small holes in the top. The dog can still smell the food, but even if 
they grab the container itself during the training exercise, they can't 
actually eat the food inside it. When doing these setups, I start with 
the dog in my living room or somewhere else fairly free of other 
distractions. I have the dog do some stationary obedience exercises 
first with the food relatively far away, so it's very obvious if he 
tries to go for it. Then, I gradually move the food closer to the dog, 
and eventually do something similar with heeling. After that, I will 
place the food in a hallway or another place where I can actually work 
the dog past the distraction. Ideally, if you can get sighted 
assistance, it's nice to repeat this stuff with food not enclosed in 
containers. This can be done without help, but if your dog is a really 
determined scavenger, it can be easier to have visual assistance. I know 
this sounds like a ton of work, but intensive re-training like this will 
pay off in spades down the line, so the effort is worth it, IMO.

I've also done some counter-conditioning with food, where I will have 
the dog in a down under a table and drop some food close to them. If the 
dog ignores the dropped food, then I reward with a piece of kibble or 
whatever the dog prefers for training treats.

Also, redirecting the dog when his head starts to dip toward the ground 
works well if you're, say, in line at a cafe or standing still 
somewhere. If my dog tries sniffing or focusing too much on the floor in 
general, I ask her to sit or touch my hand with her nose, just something 
totally incompatible with sniffing.

Anyway, best of luck with this issue. I know it can be frustrating, 
especially as scavenging is such a self-reenforcing behavior.

Best,
Shanna with Diamond

On 9/28/2014 3:37 PM, L Gwizdak via nagdu wrote:
> Danielle,
> You may have to use the Halti anytime you are in a place where food 
> could be on the ground. I'd do this for a few weeks before testing him 
> without the Halti.  If he snarfs up something, back to the Halti for a 
> few more weeks. The dog will soon get the messege that snarfing off 
> the ground isn't cool.
>
> Everytime your dog sucessfully gets something off the floor or ground, 
> it is reinforcing the practise and he will do it again and again.  
> Head collars are a pain but if you want to break a bad habit, it is a 
> great tool.
>
> Lyn
> "Asking who's the man and who's the woman in an LGBT relationship is 
> like asking which chopstick is the fork" - Unknown
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Danielle Sykora via nagdu" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2014 4:27 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] scavenging
>
>
>> Hi all,
>> Over the last few weeks, I have noticed my dog scavenging more 
>> frequently. I have tried working with him on ignoring food on the 
>> floor but he knows he is being set up by thesecond piece of food. I 
>> also use a Halti but I don't want to have to use it all the time. Any 
>> thoughts?
>>
>> Danielle and Thai
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