How do I stop my puppy picking things up?
Puppies investigate their environment through movement, attention and interaction with objects. Picking things up can become a repeated behaviour when the puppy has easy access to household objects or is given more freedom than it can currently manage. The first step is to observe what the puppy is doing and assess the environment before deciding how to respond.
The objective is not simply to stop the puppy from picking up one particular object. The puppy needs to develop appropriate boundaries while the owner manages access to the environment and gradually increases freedom as the puppy becomes capable of managing it.
More freedom requires more behavioural responsibility. If a puppy repeatedly picks up objects when given greater access to the home, this provides useful information about the level of freedom currently being provided.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
How can I stop my puppy picking things up in the house?
Begin by considering the environment where the behaviour occurs. If the puppy has unrestricted access to a large area, there may be many opportunities to investigate and pick up inappropriate objects.
Appropriate management can reduce these opportunities while the puppy develops better behavioural responsibility. The crate, placemat and playpen can all form part of the home environment according to the puppy’s current needs.
The crate can provide a safe space for rest, routine and resetting. The placemat can provide a defined area for stationing, settling and controlled freedom. The playpen can provide freedom within a defined boundary.
These management stages do not have to be completely linear. If the puppy struggles when given additional freedom, it may be appropriate to reduce the level of freedom and return to an environment that the puppy can manage successfully.
What should I do when my puppy picks something up?
Observe the puppy and assess the situation before deciding what action is appropriate. Consider what the puppy has picked up, what attracted its attention and whether the current environment is providing too much freedom or unnecessary distraction.
Manage the situation calmly and prevent the puppy from repeatedly practising inappropriate behaviour. Remove unnecessary access to objects that repeatedly attract the puppy and return the puppy to an environment where appropriate behaviour can be developed.
Positive reinforcement, food and patience can be used where appropriate to encourage suitable behaviour. The aim is to develop appropriate behaviour through consistent management and motivation rather than creating unnecessary conflict.
The puppy’s individual drive should also be considered. Some puppies may have a low food drive while others may have a high food drive. Prey drive can also influence how strongly a puppy responds to movement or particular objects. Understanding the individual puppy helps determine appropriate motivation and management.
How do I teach my puppy not to pick up household objects?
The puppy’s level of freedom should reflect its current behavioural responsibility.
A puppy that can remain settled and behave appropriately within a controlled area may gradually be given additional freedom. A puppy that immediately begins picking up objects when given more space may need the environment or level of freedom reassessed.
The placemat can provide a defined area for stationing, settling and controlled freedom within the home. The playpen can provide additional space while maintaining a clear boundary. The crate can be used when the puppy needs rest, routine or an appropriate reset.
The important point is to observe how the puppy responds to each increase in freedom rather than assuming that additional space is automatically appropriate.
What if my puppy keeps picking things up?
If the puppy continues picking up objects, reassess the situation rather than simply giving it more freedom.
Consider:
- What objects is the puppy repeatedly attracted to?
- Is the puppy being given too much freedom?
- Is the environment creating unnecessary distractions?
- Is the puppy able to settle appropriately?
- Is appropriate motivation being used?
- Does the puppy need a more controlled environment?
- Has the puppy had an opportunity to return to a calm state?
Observation should lead to assessment, assessment should determine the next action, and the puppy’s response should then be reassessed.
If the puppy cannot continue appropriately, reduce the difficulty of the situation, provide an appropriate reset and return to the relevant training process once the puppy is calm and ready to continue.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
How can I prevent picking things up from becoming a habit?
Consistency throughout the puppy’s living environment is important. The puppy should not regularly be given unrestricted access to situations it cannot yet manage.
Observe the puppy carefully and respond to changes in behaviour. Remove unnecessary distractions, provide appropriate management and allow the puppy to calm before continuing when the current situation is no longer productive.
The objective is to develop the puppy’s ability to behave appropriately within an increasingly realistic living environment rather than simply reacting to individual incidents.
As the puppy demonstrates appropriate behaviour, freedom can gradually increase. If the behaviour deteriorates when freedom increases, reassess the situation and return to a more manageable level before progressing again.
Developing appropriate boundaries
Teaching a puppy not to pick things up is part of developing appropriate boundaries within the home. Management should prevent unnecessary opportunities to practise unwanted behaviour while allowing the puppy to learn how to behave appropriately.
Food motivation may be appropriate where relevant, but the puppy’s individual food drive should always be considered. Patience, observation and consistent management help identify what the puppy can currently manage.
If the puppy becomes unable to continue appropriately, reduce environmental difficulty, allow the puppy to calm and reset where necessary. Once the puppy has returned to an appropriate state, return to the relevant training process and progress gradually.
Building behavioural responsibility
Stopping a puppy from picking things up is not simply about preventing access to individual objects. It is part of teaching the puppy how to behave appropriately within its living environment.
Observe the puppy, assess the situation, take appropriate action and reassess the response. If the puppy can behave appropriately, progression can continue gradually. If the puppy struggles, reduce the difficulty, allow the puppy to calm and reset where appropriate before returning to training.
With appropriate boundaries, positive reinforcement, patience, management and gradual progression, the puppy can develop greater behavioural responsibility and become increasingly capable of managing additional freedom within the home.
