Dog stealing food!

Gloomtastic!

We've been dogsitting our friends' Dalmation for the last few days. Very stubborn little lady she is too!
She was constantly hungry and looking for food. You couldn't leave any food about otherwise she'd take it. When she was caught in the act she was reprimanded severely but would still do it.
What's the best advice to give her owners to stop this bad habit?

Cú Giobach

Leave some food out, let the dog into the room and hide behind a door while sneakily watching, as the dog goes for the food make a sudden loud noise to startle the dog (don't terrify it ), a sudden bash of a metal pot is usually quite effective. Repeat a few times, this is usually very effective.
Alternatively leave out some food sprayed with lemon juice and let the dog go for it, again keeping out of sight. Making a sudden noise just as the dog notices the lemon juice would be a nice double whammy also.

ISDW

If she's constantly hungry, I'd maybe look at what dog food she's getting. When was she last wormed? When you say severely reprimanded, what do you mean?

Gloomtastic!

ISDW wrote: »

When you say severely reprimanded, what do you mean?

Don't worry, just a loud shout and a time out in the garden! That would have our boxer feeling sorry for himself for days. It was like water of a duck's back to her. She'd come back in and do it again straight away. :rolleyes:

She's been wormed, she just always seems hungry!

Will tell her owners about the shock treatment. Thanks for that.

Looking after someone else's dog really brings it home to us how well behaved our dog is. I'd heard Dalmations were strong-willed but didn't realise how much until this week. She's gone home now, all back to normal again.