Hi

I've a gorgeous 2 year old Lhasa Apso.  She has always been a well natured, energetic dog.  She has laways been scared of anything new, ie hoover, iron board, something lying in back garden that wouldn't normally be there...and nothing we try encourages her to walk by them.

Over the last year, this fear of anything new or different has become alot worse, the vet has put her on a herbal anti-anxiety powder...she has only been on it a 2 weeks, will need to see how it goes.

At the same time, she has started to growl alot....its as  though she sees it as her way of communicating for everything!  Sometimes she is growling, while her tail is wagging and even licking your nose.  But, she has started to growl if you pet her (kinda saying go away, leave me alone)  But, the main problem is she growls when ever there is food, doesn't matter if its hers or human... if there is food, she sits near it and growls if you go near it, even a chocolate bar sitting on a coffee table.  It came to a head on christmas day.....I bought her a christmas stuffing bone and her to sit and gave it to her.  I walked away and got on with stuff.  I need to go into a cupboard near her and she lay on the floor her neck rigid guarding the bone.....I was facing in the other direction!!! This continued for about 20 mins everytime I passed her.  I finally decided to take it off her....she growled...i put my hand in slowly but confident and took it..and turned to walk away...she jumped and tried to nip at the back of my thigh!  I put her to her room for  a time out.  I've a young neice and nephew who visit almost daily and she is amazing with them,,,,,,therefore I want to nip this agression now

thanks for any reponse in advance!

Distraction rather than confrontation are the best way to deal with resource guarding issues.  there is also a godo book that may help you called 'Mine'.

if there is food, she sits near it and growls if you go near it

Cheeky monkey. :-D

I take it that this can not be at mealtimes when sitting at a table. Is this growling near food, perhaps when sat on the sofa eating or food placed on a coffee table?  If so, firstly use the commands Stop! Or No! if she ignores your commands then take her from the room to stop the behaviour either have a gate across your kitchen or pop her in her crate, don't do anything to encourage this behaviour and don't let her get away with it. :-)  I personally would not tolerate a dog growling at all and it would be removed immediately.

Re: The bone, it is not uncommon that many breeds will infact growl whilst in possession of one,  it may be born of a fear that it will be taken away or some just use it as a vocal happiness, only you can tell which it is. If it is a warning, unfortunatley as you took the bone away in the end you just re-inforced her fear that this is what you would do. Again try the commands Stop! or No! first, you can exchange a bone for something else if you wish to remove it, or just remove her where she can not snap at anyone or cause upset. (Especially with children around, she could quite possibly give a protective nip.)

Just make sure she understands you are the boss here, not her, and No means No! Any refusal to obey your commands means segregation for a while, then re-introduce and try the command again, she will soon get the message.  Just be consistant and never let her get the upper hand. :-)

Callie,

Given you've said that her fear and nervousness has become a lot worse over the past year this new growling/possessive behaviour may be something neurological rather than purely behavioural.   At two years your Lhaso has just reached full maturity and oftentimes that is when behaviour problems connected with temperament are at their worst. 

I would have another chat with your vet.   I'd also get a recommendation for a dog trainer that is experienced in working with fearful dogs.