Every dog owner has watched their dog grab something they shouldn’t. It might simply be inconvenient, such as your slippers, but it could just as easily be hazardous, like dropped medication or a cooked chicken bone.
So, what do you do when you catch your dog with an item you don’t want them to have? Forcing their mouth open is dangerous, and chasing them might cause them to swallow the item to keep it from you. However, retrieving that item will be far easier and safer if you teach your dog to trade with you.
Getting Things Out of Your Dog’s Mouth in an Emergency
Dogs are pretty indiscriminate about what they pick up in their mouths, which is why it’s so important to puppy-proof your home. Even still, your dog will likely grab things you don’t want them to have, from toxic food like chocolate to dead animals at the park. As you don’t want to put your dog’s health at risk, you must be able to get those off-limits items away.
First off, don’t panic. If you get upset or yell at your dog, your dog could run away or try to swallow the object. And running after your dog will seem like a game of chase from their perspective and could create a habit of your dog playing keep-away with your property. It’s also essential you don’t force your dog’s mouth open. If you get physical, many dogs will respond with aggression, which puts you at risk of a bite. It can also contribute to your dog developing behavior issues like resource guarding.
Instead, stay calm and offer your dog any dog-safe treat you have nearby, ideally something they can’t resist, like steak or chicken breast. Your dog will have to drop what’s in their mouth to eat what you’re offering. You might have to hold the treat near their nose to catch their attention. But show them the goodies and, in a happy tone of voice, encourage them to take what you’ve got. Once your dog has taken the treat, toss several more in a trail away from the forbidden item. Then, you can pick it up after they’ve walked away instead of racing them to see who gets it first.
Teach Your Dog a “Drop It” Cue
If your dog already knows to drop things on cue, you can simply ask them to “drop it” when they grab something they shouldn’t. You can train “drop it” using toys and treats or with the game of tug-of-war. The point is to teach your dog that giving something up when asked leads to them getting something just as good in return, whether that’s a treat in exchange for a child’s stuffed animal or a second round of tug for dropping their end of the tug toy. Then, when your dog has a forbidden item, you can use the cue, and your dog should happily drop the item in anticipation of earning a reward as usual.
Why Should You Teach Your Dog to Trade?
Whether your dog knows a “drop it” cue or not, if they’ve learned how to trade items with you, you will have a much easier time getting dangerous objects away from them. You can also prevent a stealing habit. Many dogs quickly learn that if they steal things you don’t want them to have, like your expensive new sneakers, you will give them your immediate attention and maybe even “play chase” with them. But if they learn they can swap items with you, the worst problem you’ll likely face is your dog bringing you your slippers repeatedly, even when you don’t want them.
How to Teach Your Dog to Trade
Playing the trade game with your dog is easy. You just need to know your dog’s hierarchy of rewards. In other words, rank their favorite to least favorite items. Maybe they have a toy they don’t bother with much versus one they carry all over the house. Do they love freeze-dried liver but feel so-so about kibble? The trick is to play the game with the right combination of items. If the objects are too close on the scale, your dog might not swap; if they’re too far apart, your dog might not return the original item.
Once you have your rankings, you’re ready to follow the steps below. However, don’t play this game if your dog is already exhibiting resource guarding or aggression around possessions. It’s unsafe and can exacerbate the problem behavior if not done correctly. Instead, enlist the help of a behaviorist or professional dog trainer with experience in treating behavior issues.
The following steps will teach your dog to happily trade items with you:
- With your dog on a leash or tethered, say the words “take it” and offer something from low on your dog’s rewards list. Let them take the object in their mouth.
- Offer your dog some treats from higher on the rewards list. Consider using meat rather than kibble or cookies. You might initially have to hold the treats to your dog’s nose to entice them to drop the first item. Never force your dog to take the treats. If your dog is unwilling to drop the first object, you likely picked the wrong pair of objects to trade. Either choose a lower object for your dog to take or offer a higher-value treat in exchange.
- When your dog drops the first item, mark the moment with a clicker, marker word, or praise, then let them eat the treats from your hand. Be sure you have enough treats to keep your dog busy for several seconds. As they eat, pick up the first object with your other hand and place it out of sight, such as in your pocket or behind your back. If your dog tries to race you for the first object, toss some treats to the side to redirect your dog while you pick it up.
- As soon as your dog finishes eating, say, “Take it,” and offer the first object back again. Let your dog take the object in their mouth. Your dog is learning that trading earns them some treats and gives them the original item back. What’s not to love about a game like that? But if your dog won’t return the first object, you likely chose one from too low on the rewards list. Instead, work with something a bit more appealing to your dog.
- Repeat the above steps until your dog will predictably drop the first object. At that point, say “trade,” “swap,” or a similar verbal cue right before your dog lets the object go. Then, mark the moment and offer the treats. Again, pick up the first object with your other hand and return it once your dog finishes eating.
- Say “trade,” then wait a few seconds before showing your dog the treats. You want them to drop the first object based on the cue rather than the food. If you’ve done enough repetitions, your dog will understand what’s expected. If not, go back a few steps and repeat before trying again.
- Once your dog is happy to trade low-value objects, slowly work your way up the hierarchy of objects until they trade higher-value items, too. Remember, when training, always give your dog back the first object after a successful trade.
Now, if your dog gets a hold of something off-limits, you can use your “trade” cue to get the object back. Of course, you won’t ever give forbidden objects back to your dog after the swap, but if you play the trade game often enough, your dog will still relinquish their prize rather than guarding it or running off with it.