By Fiona
Date 26.11.03 15:50 UTC
Hi
I have an 8 week old Rottweiler called Aisha who is a lovely little puppy most of the time but the other day she was given a bone. When I tried to take the bone from her she became very aggressive, snarling and such like. She hasn't done this before and she hasn't done this since but it has made me weary of giving her a bone again. Any Ideas??
By digger
Date 26.11.03 17:11 UTC
With a pup of this age they really have to want the thing they have to feel they have to be this agressive over it to something so much bigger than them - self preservation dictates that they shouldn't really (after all - they could be risking their lives, so it has to be important!) Firstly I wouldn't give her anything she's likely to want to gaurd until I've got her used to give and take...... Then teach her that humans near her food aren't going to take it away (then, on the odd occasion you do need to take it away it takes her by surprise) Put half her normal ration in a bowl, or on the floor, then when she's nearly finished, add a small amount by hand until the whole meal is gone - this way she learns that hands near food are good. If she resorts to growling and snarling to protect toys etc - offer her something even more interesting as a 'swop' - there's no need to get assertive over it.....