So frequently things we do don’t offer the dog any value – calling the dog back and putting them on lead, calling them in from the garden and closing the door, giving up an item and its removed… These are all very functional for us (and important) but if this is always followed your dog will work out that this doesn’t work well for them and they will start to avoid or move away – even to start resource guarding objects.

The 90/10 rule teaches your dog that 90% of the time it works for you both and 10% of the time it works for you. Here’s an example to explain:

  • You find your dog steals the teatowel/socks/shoes/childrens toys etc – so you chase them down and remove the item from their mouth
  • This happens a number of times – always with the same result for the dog… They lose the treasure that they found. You have become the fun Police.
  • Now they start to hide under the table when you try and approach them when they have the item.. Its now harder to get the item, but you manage – fun Police strikes again!
  • Now the hide under the table and go very still and stare when you reach out for it – these are warning signs the dog is uncomfortable – you still remove the item…
  • Next time, same scenario but the dog gives a low warning growl and still you remove the item…
  • Finally, same scenario, you reach out for the item and the growl is then followed by a lunge forward and a nip…

Sadly this is incredibly common. Your approach has successfully taught the dog that as the fun Police, you will cause all fun to stop – they offer body language which tells you, but ultimately we have caused the dog to escalate as they have no choice.  Its our fault and not theirs.

So what would the 90/10 rule do instead?

  • You see the dog with the stolen item – you walk calmly to the fridge and get out some cheese
  • You call the dog over – or approach them smiling – offer your piece of cheese so you can get them to swap the item
  • When the item falls to the floor – DON’T PICK IT UP
  • Smile, offer more cheese
  • Repeat… repeat… repeat – until they stop snatching the item back again
  • Now pick up the item – offer it back to the dog with 2 hands (that means its yours to have)
  • Offer a piece of cheese as a swap – DON’T PICK THE ITEM UP
  • Say ‘thank you’ (or similar), reach down and pick up the item in 1 hand (that means its mine)
  • Now give a piece of cheese
  • Offer the item back with 2 hands, offer a swap, say thank you then pick up the item, now food reward

Once you have done this a number of times the dog will no longer want to hold the item. You can now pick the item up with 1 hand and remove it. Success!

You have taught them that 90% of the time they will get the item back PLUS cheese. Winner! 10% of the time, the item will be removed.  There is no escalation of behaviour, no hiding, no running away, no conflict – just a simple lesson that swapping works for you both.