Dog issues

[Stevenj214]

Mrs Grumpy said:

Really good article here on rude dogs: http://flyingdogpress.com/content/view/42/70/
He Just Wants To Say "Hi!"

Really good article, thank you. It describes Jinx's behaviour completely. He has never injured another dog other than a nicked ear or some fur removal.

[Tango13]

Many years ago when a motorbike was my only form of transport I would come in from the freezing cold and make a fuss of both the dogs as I stood in their bed by the radiator to warm up.

Many years later I watched a TV program where a behaviourist recommended standing in a dogs bed to assert your authority over a dog.

I doubt it really made much difference with our two dogs though, one still thought she was a vulture and the other never really stopped her axe weiding antics but that's another storey.

[Jasandjules]

Stevenj214 said:

My dog has 2 issues. Both can be managed, but I would prefer not having to. Any 'at home' suggestions I can use in place of a dog trainer?

Issue 1

Toy/Food possessiveness towards other dogs

Issue 2

Aggression towards other dogs (but only if they show aggression first)

Other dogs which live with you? Or dogs met out on a walk? If the latter, consider this: If you were in a restaurant and some strange bloke walked over and started eating your food, what would you do?

Issue 2? Is that really an issue? Consider this: If you were walking down the road and some bloke walked over and started on you, what would you do?

[RB Will]

Moo27 said:

Fist of all, can i just say, this behavious is not normal! And far from right!

Secondly, the book 'its me or the dog' is absolutely fantastic!!!

The possesiveness of its food is something that can be easily rectified, but will take time.

As hard as it is, you need to start taking his food away from him whilst he is eating. Make him sit for a while. Pretend to play with his food, pretend to eat it yourself... then put it back down and let him finish eating it!

Start off by doing this only once during his tea time, after a couple of days increase it by taking it away twice, and then finish up by doing it 3 times. If he shows agression towards you when you take the food away, first of all, make sure he has his lead on, so that you can take the food away, whilst someone else can control him on his lead.

Eventually, and this can take weeks rather than days, he will learn he will get his food back, so will stop grizzling.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS praise him when he sits still and shows no agression. Dogs learn SO much by love and praise.

I had this exact same situation with one of my dogs from a rescue centre, cos he had been starved previously, so was incredibly possesive over his food, toys everything. But with time and patience he became the most placid dog you have ever met in your life!

Good Luck.

Everything I have ever read or been told by experienced owners, behaviourists says never ever do this.
Take their food away but add something nice to it then give it back.

[cal72]

Stevenj214 said:

cal72 said:

Depending on the dog, this may not be an issue but if the dog gets hold of something that it should not have how would you feel if a kid tried to take it back??

Absolutely fine. He has no issues towards humans at all.

cal72 said:

Stevenj214 said:

Toy/Food possessiveness towards other dogs

Depending on size of dog, when out and about are you in control at all times.

Border collie, fully in control, great recall. Only issue is if he gets close to another dog which is aggressive towards him. If meeting a strange dog on lead, I put him to heel. Strange dog off lead, I keep him close until I'm close enough to deal with any aggro.

I don't think you have any issues here. Just carry on doing what you are doing.