How do I get my dog to relinquish items she shouldn't have - e.g. socks!?

My Lab, Nixie is brilliant with her own food, she will sit and wait until told  'OKAY'. but she 'pinches' things like socks, tissues from my bag and bits of paper/plastic off the floor. Also tennis balls from other dogs when out! She gets quite possessive if we try to take it from her, growling and curling her lips! She is such a good girl apart from this, we have tried getting her a small piece of dog treat as a 'swap', but I feel this is rewarding her naughty behaviour with a treat and it feels wrong?

  • Kiakora

    By swapping for a treat, your not rewarding the bad behaviour, your rewarding the fact that they have given you the item you want :-)

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