ANITA'S ANIMAL CORNER
 "DOGS THAT STEAL"
By Jean Sutherland

     I just love it when company is over and Suzy decides this is the time to walk out of the bedroom with my underwear on her head. There she stands for everyone to see and she is proud as a peacock. For some dogs it’s Kleenex and others it’s socks. My Maggie is the sock lover in the house and if you dare approach her be prepared to have your hand receive serious damage.
     It’s called object guarding. A term used to describe the actions of dogs that glare, growl or snap when you come near them when they have something they feel is precious. They mainly only guard objects that have been stolen.
Dogs have come to understand that anything that is not theirs is swiftly removed from them. From your pet’s point of view, you pick up a sock and all of a sudden there is a flurry of activity. The family seems to be unusually annoyed and takes to chasing the dog around the room. Once cornered and taken away the object is never seen again. Owners even try to replace or substitute but what you don’t seem to understand is he wanted the sock!
     To help alleviate object guarding you need to look at the big picture. Yes, we all know that he must learn not to take your things, but what he must learn is that he must give up any objects that you do not want him to have. The next time he steals anything and proceeds to flail it around the house, be prepared. Do not chase him and make it a huge issue. Go to him slowly and talk nicely to him. By doing this you are creating less stress. By going after him in a negative manner you are setting yourself up for a battle. Ask him to drop the item and quietly open his mouth. After he drops the item, reward him with a treat and give him the stolen item back. Yes, that’s right, give it back, even temporarily. By getting him to drop the item and giving it back periodically you will find that he is more compliant the next time you want him to drop something.
     If the item is not dangerous it might even be a good idea to let him have it for awhile. We all know that you want him to learn that it is not a good idea to take your things, but the big picture lies in the fact that he needs to learn to give things up. Over time you will see your dog relax as you take things from his mouth and the battles will become few and far between.
     October 19th is the HUGE subasta (yard sale) at the Auditorium and we very much need items to be donated to Anita’s Animal Shelter. These items can be anything from socks to the kitchen sink. All the money will go to help support the shelter with food and medicine for the animals. For drop-off points please call me at 766-2694 or you can drop off items at the shelter. From Ajijic go west until you see the large San Juan Cosala sign, look for the small green sign on the right that says Racquet Club and turn north toward the mountains. We are on the west, left side of the road, halfway up the hill at number 31.      There is a dirt road on the north part of the shelter and if you go down it you stop when you hear the dogs barking.