These are the thieving bastards

[Tab]

The one on top, the shih-tzu, is actually cute, and since he can't physically reach most things, he's only a partner-in-crime.

The one on the bottom, however, is only deceptively cute. So far tonight he's stolen bananas off of the counter AND also ate my replacement bag of goldfish.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i wonder if he's got a nutritional deficiency he's trying to compensate for?

either that or he's a four footed adorable terrorist

:hide:

[Tab]

2. No, he just steals anything edible

and some non-food items and he just likes them for a "comfort object". He's healthy, he just takes stuff and likes to walk around with it, and if it's edible, so much the better.

[Warpy]

4. Other than muzzling him between mealtimes

until the behavior is broken, there's not much you can do beyond encouraging him to live outside.

I'll refer you to the numbered mysteries written by Janet Evanovich. There is a dog in those that will give you an idea of how to make use of his talents.

[Tab]

5. I've trained so many dogs

I'm not a world expert, but I'm better than the average bear.

Still, this one dog.... (sigh)

[michaz]

12. Nope, no Weimarner there! n/t

[Lucinda]

3. Ah, you poor thing.....you dont know, do ya?

The "cute" one is the mastermind.
Though they are both adorable.

[Tab]

7. No, a shit-tzu's brain is only the size of an almond.

Life is so simple, it must be nice.

Coco, on the other hand...

[Lucinda]

14. Naw....It's all an act. Think Keyser Soze, with a sweeter disposition

and fur. :D

[sazemisery]

18. My computer screen is wet with coffee

ROFLMAO

The image of Kevin Spacey with a furry face and whiskers will crack me up all day!

[Lucinda]

19. Sorry!

:rofl:
Now I can see it too!

[flamin lib]

6. Had an Irish Setter and Schnauzer combo that loved to play tug.

I lade the mistake of hanging a kitchen towel over the refridge door. Came home and found the wrapper of a 4 pound ham and a six pack of beer in the kitchen. And two very mellow dogs.

[Tab]

8. Um, how did they open the beer?

Just askin'...

[flamin lib]

9. Many canine perforamations in the cans. The floor was exceptionally clean

tho. Every cloud has some kinda lining . . .

[NMDemDist2]

13. that is freaking hilarious

did they sleep all night and wince like they had a headache the next day?

:hangover:

:rofl:

[housewolf]

10. Awwwww...

They are both cuties, all right!

You know, it might be possible to correct this behavior through training, have you ever talked to a professional dog trainer about it?

One possibility might be to train your dogs to only accept food when you give it to them. One way to start with that is to train them to "leave it". I did this with my dog as a pup and it's been quite effective. You start by "clicker training" the dog with a clicker to where the click becomes the positive reinforcement (the "treat", so to speak). Then you work with them by offering a treat while at the same times saying "leave it", then when you want to give it say "take it" and click, and eventually they learn that they can only take food when you give it to them.

I don't know... I know you have health issues going on and may not be up for dog training at this point, so you might keep it for an option in the future. I'm just sayin' that the behavior could very well be improved/corrected through training.

Do you ever watch the "Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic channel? Man, it seems that Caesar Milan can get a dog to do ANYTHING he wants! He always says that what he does is train owners and rehabilitate dogs. It's a lot of fun to watch, if you ever have the time & get the channel on your cable, you might enjoy checking it out sometime.

Anyway, they're beautiful dogs. I think they're very lucky to be such well-loved and cared for members of your family. Thanks for sharing their pictures!

[Tab]

11. Although not perfect

I thought I had the skills of a professional dog trainer (I am close). I do know that I can elevate this to another level with some training devices, I just haven't.

I have to - although I don't like to - incorporate my wife into this indictment. Formerly on the board of directors for the humane society, she will do stuff for the dogs that my instincts say no to - for instance, allowing them to eat (remnants) out of cooking pans, thus qualifying "human" dishes/pans as valid eating vessels. I've tried to put forward the concept that it really just reinforces the idea that you can eat out of people bowls - and just scraping it into a dog bowl would fix it - but I haven't been successful.

All in all, though, I think I just have to tolerate this dog. Without going overboard, I've fairly exhausted my techniques, and although not world class, they're not minor either. But I've fairly given up, or at least his staying power outdistances my training power.

[Stinky The Clown]

15. Y'ever have a dog eat your teevee remote?

A Border Collie we had many years ago had a penchant for eating teevee remotes. (No, I have NO idea why.)

This was in the days when universal remotes cost on the north side of $100. We bought one. From Circuit City. The guy offered the usual extended warranty. I said, offhandedly, "Sure, if you amend it to say it covers the dog eating it." To my surprise, he did.

That warranty paid off twice before it expired.

The dog did not outlive the second replacement. I actually still have it someplace. It doesn't work with anything anymore but still bears teethmarks.

[Tab]

16. Oh, don't even start me on the TV remotes

He seems to like, as I said, comfort items, and if something is appropriate for mouthing, he'll pick it up.

I can't tell you how many times I've kept the TV remotes from going out the door. And, of course, once they're out and it rains, you can say goodbye to the remote.

Worst still are my glasses - he's taken to picking them up and going outside. Needless to say, if you don't HAVE your glasses, it's a bitch to find them. 12 year-old children ar good for this situation, even if you have to pay them.

Right now he's making noise in the other rom. I don't even want to go in and find out why.

[Lugnut]

17. Awww!

What cute little thieves they are. :)

[wildeyed]

20. I'm telling ya, a handful of habaneros on the counter top will fix him fast.

I had a counter surfer once until she surfed a bunch of hot peppers I had harvested form the garden. After that she was cured.

[NMDemDist2]

22. LOL

yeah that would do it eh??

[wildeyed]

21. When you say "replacement bag of goldfish" you mean goldfish crackers, right?

Not a bag of pet goldfish for your aquarium? :scared: