How can I stop a minor problem (at the moment)from becoming a huge one? Cooper (12 week Lab) has never been possessive of anything before last night.He has no problem of me going anywhere near,touching,or taking away,his food,toys or bones,but last night I decided to treat him to a pigs ear.However,when I decided that he had had enough, I went to take it off of him and was pretty worried by his behaviour. He refused to let me have it,trying to run off to get away,he became pretty aggressive,snarling and trying to snap at me.I have never seen him like that before and am concerned about it as I don`t want him doing it when he is bigger.In the end,I grabbed hold of the scruff of his neck to avoid being bitten and just took it away from him. He then went back to being the cutest friendliest puppy that he always has been.I didn`t think a 12 week old pup could be like that.What can I do to make sure that he doesn`t do it again? Thanks in advance.
Tina

This is a situation i always hope comes up, or deliberately try to set up! What you did was almost what I would have done, except after praising him once I had it an he was being good, I would then let him have it back, then let him know you were going to take it again. this time (having realised you could make him give it up) he would probably make less resistance, as soon as he accepted you had taken it away, lavish praise, repeat several times until he is no longer sulking, growling or objecting to you trying to take it. I then proceed to do the same excersise with my children (under vigilant supervision). for a very food y dog a treat offered in return for the ear is one non confrontational way of getting what you want (older pup oir adult, where there is bigger risk of actually being bitten). basically he will then learn that there is some compensation (food /you praise) for giving up the object, and also that you have the right to take it!

Treat this as a Golden opportunity, and with training you will then have a dog that you can happily take anything from.

I helped a friend with a food possesive golden retriever Adult, who would get nasty around really yimmy treats like a new bone. I started off with taking and giving treats for her giving up low value objects, gradully building up to a juicy meaty marrow bone!

Good advice IMHO, and especially about giving stuff back. HOwever, fancy trainng your kids the same way.....LOL LOL LOL :D

Did it work with them, is what i want to know!

LIndsay

Brainless, I love your technique. It's so important to make sure the dog knows what behavior is acceptable and what is not.

It has just always worked for me, as I had my first two dogs when each of my children was a year old. It was having the kids take things from the pups that I practiced of course.

If one of the dogs picks something nasty up off the street they will still autonatically put their hands straight down their throats, with nerry a murmer, just disappointed looks! The worst is chewing gum, as they often chew it a bit and then drop it and lie on it, getting it out of carpet or fur can be a pain!

Hmm Max does this too but only with my dad. Hes fine with my mum and me but whenever Max and my dad come in close proximity and he has a bone or something he will growl. Both my mum and me can stroke Max while hes eating his bone but not my dad.