possession aggression with chewbones

[needadvice]

I have a 1year old cocker spaniel. She is the nicest dog until given a chewbone. She is very possessive of a particular chew bone that I give her every now and then. Its like she turns into cujo over this bone. I immediately have to retrieve the bone from her carefully. She would take the bone and guard it and growl when anyone walks by her, and then eventually bark and act a fool when you come close to her. As soon as I retrieve the bone, its like a light switch...she turns instantly back to her lovable, friendly, playful self. I really would like to know what can I do to correct this problem. As of right now, I just don't give her that particular chew bone. Also what are some ideas of teaching dogs not to jump on the couch.

[blue lacy lover]

i know some people that have tried the X-Mat and loved it. if you go to:
http://www.naturespaws.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=85
and seach "x-mat" you can see what it looks like,
it is for cats but it works just as well for small-med sized dogs.

as for the bone problem, my grandma has Shih-Tzu with the same thing. every time she gives Zoe a bone she starts to chew then growl. To her a water blottle is VERY BAD and hates water, so if you have a water bottle when you go up to her she will simply put her bone down.

good luck w/ your pup!

[Redyre_Rotties]

One has to sort of try to think like the dog to understand why the dog would behave this way.

Obviously, she is afraid someone is going to take her marvelous prize. And guess what? Each time she gets it, you make her fears come true. So what happens NEXT time she gets it? She's even MORE worried you are going to take it. And then you do. Etc. Same with punishment over this sort of behavior. The dog fears, shows such fear, and is then punished.

I start very early with puppies dealing with this behavior. I address/prevent it in several ways.

#1, every time they see a hand coming towards them if they are eating or have a toy or any other high value resource, that hand holds something really delicious.

#2, the hand does not always take away, but it DOES always bring a treat.

#3, the hand often holds the bowl while a puppy is eating, and while it does, the hand does....guess what?.....it has a delicious treat that it drops into the bowl.

#4, the hand NEVER asks for anything the dog has without offering something in return, whether that is something delicious or another toy.

Same with approaching while the dog has a high value item. In your case, I would make sure I had the dog on a decent line so I could control the situation (a 10-15' long light nylon line with a good snap tied to it, couple bucks at any home supply warehouse can prevent many issues.....use ONLY under direct supervision). I would start this dog by putting her in a room with her goodie, and going to the door several times to toss her some irresistible treat. Don't make eye contact. Don't dally at the door. Just walk by the door and as you do toss the treat. Give the dog about 10-15 minutes to enjoy her treat, and then retrieve her with the long line. Make sure you have a delicious treat in your hand waiting for her. When she gets fairly close start tossing treats. The second she drops her first prize for a treat, reel her in away from it and treat treat treat treat 3 or 4 treats as fast as she can eat them. Then take the dog away from the chewie and put her where she cannot get to it. Once you do that come back and get the treat and put it away.

Practice the trade game in your house on a daily basis as many times as you can fit it in.

This teaches the dog that it need not fear the approach of someone when it has a high value item, or when it is eating. It will melt away food aggression and resource guarding in most dogs if it is put to work diligently. In this way, you have not forced the behavior underground by overwhelming the dog with corrections. What you have done is trained the dog to forget about anyone taking his stuff because when someone comes up they bring goodies.

Puppies raised this way are not food aggressive around anyone, they don't fear hands approaching their mouths, or food bowls, or toys, or otherwise.

[blue lacy lover]

that sounds like it would work but my grandma's dog isnt very smart. it takes FOREVER to teach her a new trick because she simply does not get it! and she will not eat treats, she just will not eat them.
i mean i am sure it works w/ most dogs but some are a bit diferent.
if Lacy had this problem i KNOW that would work, because she loves treats more than anything!

[blue lacy lover]

i also wanted to add that i have always been able to get Lacy's food and bones away because i have done the hand=good/treat.

[needadvice]

that sounds like a great idea..she is okay with her food bowl, I can sit right next to her while she is eating and she won't growl or anything..its just that chewbone (its called a busy bone) that drives her crazy..lol..but I will try that technique and see what happens, thanks

[missy's mom]

Great idea