Hi folks,my 11mo.has two behavior problems that I cant seem to fix.The 1st is he goes nuts around a broom,or rake.I know it sounds silly and minor and as a little pup we thought it was cute(not anymore)after having to replace them I just resigned to keep them out of sight and always put him up whenever we sweep or mop,it's a bummer also because I have fenced in yards and it's always been cool having the older female outside with me when raking etc.But the male can not be around when doing this or nothing gets done,it's like with the 1st "swish" his prey drive goes into overdrive and he locks on like he never would on a ball or tug.I guess better obedience would be the answer to this,but even from a sit or down after watching a few swishes he cant help himself and breaks it even though he knows he's going to get corrected for it.OK 2nd problem and this one IS minor and silly but he does musical chairs with his food bowl! No matter where I set it down he always picks it up and moves it to another area spilling half the contents,even at 11mo he is dominant over the older female and she stands by and lets him have his pick of either bowl but it does'nt matter he will move both bowls until he's satisfied.They have never fought over food and he allows her to eat alone but only after he's (arranged) the bowls.My solution has been to stand there and say "no" everytime he grips the rim of the bowl to pick it up and usually he'll drop it,but if I'm slow he'll grab it and run with it to where ever and then put it down real quick spilling most of it.I feed twice a day and both are slow eaters and I have been late for work in the mornings from standing by having to monitor him.I guess a prong and a line might work but I don't want him to think he's getting corrected for what he thinks is just eating his food.OK fix me, so I can fix him.Thanks.

My 10 month old GSD had the same issue with rakes, shovels and vaccuums. We put him in a sit-stay and then my husband held the leash while I started to rake or vaccuum several feet away. As soon as he broke the sit my husband corrected him. Before that, he would lunge at the rake, we'd yell no then he'd dash away and be back in no time for another go. This was more of an issue in the house with vaccuuming since we do that more often than we rake. Anyway he can now reliably hold a stay in the hallway while I vaccuume the living room.

As for the food issue, have you considered feeding him in a crate? It seems like this would solve the problem. Otherwise look at where you are feeding him- is there a reason he doesn't want to eat there? Could he be feeling insecure while eating in that place? If there's nothing wrong with the location I would take the food away when he goes to move it and ignores your NO command. At the next meal he'll be very ready to eat. I would think in a short time his games will end.

My GSD puppy had the same issue with his food and water bowls from the time I brought him home at 8 weeks old. I purchased the stainless steel no-tip bowls. He could not pick these bowls up. Now when his water bowl empties, he will put his foot in it and scoot it around on the floor to let me know he needs more water.(He is training me) My puppy also did the vacuum chase. I would tell him No and put him in another room (I was by myself when I swept the floor Or if my husband was around he would distract him with another activity). Then after I was finished I would have a small play session or obedience session with treats. Presently he will start to chase the vacuum, I tell him No and he lays down until I am done. Now, sometimes he gets attention or play afterwards and sometimes he doesn't. He is 11 mos. old now. This may not be the best obedience-behavior advice, but he is eager to please us in the end.

After re-reading my reply, I left out that when I put him in another room, he was put in his crate. Also, when I would tell him "no" it was not said in a harsh way at the beginning, that way he would not associate his crate with punishment.

i have a lab that does the same food thing.

and i fixed by when ever she ignored my command to drop it it got taken away.

she did not get food for a day and ahalf(not overly food crazy) but by the 3 try she was not messing around.

Max and Maggie would slid around or tip thier bowls. I use a cast iron fry pans now, havn't had a problem since