Smokey's Strange Behavior ?

[lizbud]

Is this wierd or what. Smokey will not take a treat from me
unless I ask him to do something first, like a sit or down/stay.
I've offered him a dog bisquet just because (he's cute) but he
backs away & just looks at me. So, I end up saying
sit or whatever & he'll do it & only then will he take the treat.
Does anybody else's dog do this? It's not really a problem, but
I've just never had a dog that did this.

[clara4457]

I just think that you have trained him manners so well that he doesn't understand that you don't want him to do anything. He is probably waiting for some command - any command. It is like teaching your kids to say "please" and "thank you" when you give them something. They are not sure how to take it if you tell them they don't have to do it anymore.

[Bandit's mom]

I read about Smokey and I agree he has manners and I think he sounds adorable. It is kind of funny he doesn't take a treat just to take it. How old is Smokey? I have a question. Sometimes after Smokey gets a treat, do you leave the house. Maybe he is (I think he's a he) associating treat with being left alone sometimes? Just a thought. Keep us posted.

[carrie]

You should be incredibly pleased with yourself and with Smokey! He is showing you that he understands and accepts his position and respects yours.

[lizbud]

After I had already logged off I remember that I should have
added a proviso to my statement about Smokey. He only does
this inside the house. Out in the yard, or in the car, he'll gladly
take a treat from me. Sometimes I ask for a "sit" or whatever
but not always. Smokey is now one year & a few months old.
He was 8 wks when I adopted him in Sept. 2002. He's always
been a quirky little guy, but very lovable. He's still very
distrubed(scared) of fire hydrants. I have no idea why, but he
always wants to cross the street if we pass one on a walk.
I never give him a treat when I leave him, so I don't think that's
why he won't take one freely in the house. Maybe he's been
over drilled on his puppy class subjects. LOL. I'm a good mom
honest. He's just so different than Buddy was, like night &
day. Liz.

[K9karen]

Hmmm, Liz.."Night & Day" huh? That sounds SO familiar! I think you are SO lucky! What a good boy! Actually. Cody did the same thing, in the house! Now I think Klo has the hang of it too, esp: if she wants something badly, like going outside (no sit, no leash on) or her night-night snack of Rice Krispies. THAT she'll sit for before I even open the box!!!

[lovemyshiba]

How adorable!!!!

Abbey won't take treats sometimes, but it is because she does get one when I am leaving, and I think she gets scared that I am going to leave if she takes one

Riley is so cute, though, he tries sooooooo hard to be good.
I get out a box of Rice Krispies (he had some once when I dropped some and he got them off the floor). He runs over. He looks at me. He sits. His tail is going a mile a minute--he just can't stand it--he gets so excited!!!!!! The whole time he's licking his lips and just waiting for that one little crumb.......

[lizbud]

Oh, you guys talking about your babies & Rice Krispies
reminds me of Smokey & cats Punkin & Blackie. I once made
the mistake of giving the inquisitive Punkin a tiny piece of Velveeta
cheese. He was quickly followed by Smokey & Blackie who both
sat there staring at me with pitiful looks. Yes, I gave
them both a piece also. To this day I cannot remove cheese
from the fridge with out all three of them spoting it. They can hear
the crinkle of the plastic from any room in the house. LOL.

[K9karen]

Ain't that the truth. Liz? Klo isn't food orientated and I intend to keep it that way, but..a crinkle of wrap, opened fridge, pantry door opening..furgetaboutit! Cody sure knew when to "come" when I didn't want him to! I'm a sucker for big brown eyes and a head-tilt and panting tongue!!!!!

[lizbud]

Karen,

Yes, I really" blew it" on the Velvetta with Smokey. Never
should have given him that first bite. He never begs my food.
I was very bad with Buddy in that regard & it took me a long
time to un-train him. Never did actually, but he got much better
at waiting for a tidbit. Smokey can smell food very well, but does
not ever ask or expect any of it. I've always fed all my critters
before I fix meals for myself. It's easier for me & I never get any
guilt trips.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by lizbud
... always fed all my critters
before I fix meals for myself.

... never get any guilt trips.

<snikker>

That duzint werk in our howze...

Furst: We can bolt down a bowl of krunchies fastur than Dad can toss the measurin
kupz back inna krunchie bin...
then Danze round onna Tippie-Toze an Tail-Wagg like we aint seen food inna week!
Makes Dad krazie kuz he dont 'membur iffin he fed us or not!

Dont tell him; but wee'z been fed dinner TWICE more'n wunst!

But we nebber *beg*...
We jest layz down an *WATCH* him eatin...
Hedz go up & down wiffa fork...

Oh; nuffin Dad; jest WATCHIN

[K9karen]

Geez Phred....so many times I hadda put my arm around da plate cuz I had those big browners staring..felt like I was taken a test in school so nobudy saw my (wrong) answers! Sweet memories!!

[carrie]

Lizbud, Smokey is simply letting you know where he considers you to be the one in complete control and where he thinks there could be a little opening in the leadership stakes! I wouldn't worry about it unless you are having problems in the car or off lead - might be interesting to start insisting on a specific behaviour before letting him have the treat in the situations he usually takes it.....this is very interesting.....you could insist on it for two weeks, without fail, every time and then see if he will still accept it for free after that or if he then sits without being asked.

[lizbud]

Originally posted by carrie
I wouldn't worry about it unless you are having problems in the car or off lead - might be interesting to start insisting on a specific behaviour before letting him have the treat in the situations he usually takes it.....this is very interesting.....you could insist on it for two weeks, without fail, every time and then see if he will still accept it for free after that or if he then sits without being asked.

Carrie,

Smokey is a perfect companion in the car. He rides very well,
no problem. Not sure if I have this right, but you think if I
insisted on a sit/down, etc outside(every time) for two weeks
without fail then give him the treat & see if he'll take it anyway
for free(outside) or will he be more likely to sit/down on his own
without my asking him.? He does respond to hand signals as
well as my voice. (Unless the kitties run past to distract him)
I'd be willing to give this a try for sure. Thanks.

[Orlando Bloom's Gal]

The behaviour he's diplaying by not taking a treat unless you tell him to do something is most likely because you have treat trained him, and don't give him a treat unless he does what you want him do. He is used to this, so now he is refusing to take it unless he is told because he is used to it.