The Trading Game
This morning, Lucian (our 8.5 week old Dogue De Bordeaux puppy) and I did some serious trading. It all started when I saw something red with a spot of black move quickly but clumsily out of the corner of my eye. I turned to catch the mini monster with a sock. He gave me a look that obviously said “Look what I found!? This slightly smelly sock is the best and I love it!” I had to think fast, or he was going to bolt with the sock, and I would miss my chance to make a trade. I quickly spotted his Kong Wubba and approached the sock thief. I squeaked the Wubba, he cocked his head. Without further hesitation I gently placed the Wubba into the corner of his sock-chewing mouth and removed the sock from the other side. He paused for a second, examining the trade we just made. Then he lay down with the appropriate toy and continued his morning playtime.
If you chase your dog when he has something he shouldn’t, he’ll only see this as a game of “catch me if you can.” If you remove something good without giving him something in return, he’ll only run from you or make himself scarce when he has an item he wants to keep. Remember to always give him something better when you have to take an object from him. Teaching your dog that you are fair when trading helps to build the trust between you.
It is also important to begin training dogs early to “Drop it!”
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