Possessiveness
Dogs can be possessive of many things including toys, treats, food, beds, and even people. This can lead to the dog snapping if not addressed correctly. If your dog is showing signs of aggression, such as baring teeth, snapping at you, or snarling or growling, please consult a professional.
Sometimes a dog's breed can influence a behavior such as possessiveness. It's important to dial down this behavior before it becomes worse. Just because it's typical of the breed doesn't mean you have to live with it, just give yourself a little bit more time training them before calling it quits. Early habits are easier to break. It's best to start when a puppy is still young and doesn't know what it can get away with. If your puppy is showing little to no signs of possessiveness, you'll want to keep it that way.
Sometimes a dog's breed can influence a behavior such as possessiveness. It's important to dial down this behavior before it becomes worse. Just because it's typical of the breed doesn't mean you have to live with it, just give yourself a little bit more time training them before calling it quits. Early habits are easier to break. It's best to start when a puppy is still young and doesn't know what it can get away with. If your puppy is showing little to no signs of possessiveness, you'll want to keep it that way.
Food Possessiveness
In packs, the alpha dog eats before the rest of the pack (the eldest first) . As a sign of respect, the other dogs respect this order. If one does not, the other make sure it knows its place. It's not about favoring anybody but using the pack to help each other.
The next step takes place as your dog is eating. While he is eating stand close to the bowl for a few seconds to have your dog get used to you. If your dog shows no signs of possessiveness go on and have your hand in near the bowl only to have its presence known. If your dog still shows no signs, go ahead and take the bowl and say "Leave it." Wait until your dog sits again and makes eye contact before you give it back and praise it. Repeat once or twice during every feeding, but no more as your dog may get annoyed and feel as if you won't ever let him eat. If your dog does show possessiveness by pausing its chewing,holding its possession over the bowl, be cautious. Approach sideways (moving straight towards a dog can be seen as confrontational). Use your legs to block your dog from the bowl so that you're positioned in between and his connection with it is broken. Stand there for a few seconds to assert you dominance over the food. Lift it up and wait until your dog sits again and makes eye contact before you give it back and praise it. Toy Possessiveness
Toy possessiveness works the same way. A dog usually puts his body over the toy to show his dominance over it. If another dog is playing with the toy and he wants the toy he will stand over the dog (if possessive) and stare to communicate its dominance. This can lead to a dispute if not corrected.
Having worked in a pet hotel, a lot of dogs show their dominance over toys. Dog 1 may play with one and see a Dog 2 grab another, then Dog 1 may immediately want that toy. The Dog 2 being more submissive may just walk away and play with another only to have it be taken again by Dog 1. This makes Dog 2 annoyed and want to stop his dominance over him, which can cause Dog 1 to snap since his "position" is being tested. Behavior like this should be corrected right away before it escalates. When a dog is showing possessiveness over a toy, don't pull it away from his mouth. He will think your playing and want the toy. Bring another toy or treat to redirect him away from it. If you don't have either, using your body, stand above the toy and sideways block your dog from it. A dog should understand this and move. If it tries to claim it, do a sound correction or use a spray bottle as a slight correction. If your dog is showing aggression, I would again recommend consulting a professional before continuing the lesson. Just because there is a toy on the floor does not mean he can play with it. Think of what this toy can be, it can be your favorite pair of shoes, it can be a power cable, fallen table scraps, etc. Test out commands like "Take It" and "Leave It." Owner Possessiveness
Owner possessiveness can be quite common. It can be as little as blocking another dog from receiving attention from a person (what I call "dog blocking") or as big as growling at someone for sitting next to them.
This is common in breeds bred to physically protect a household, but it can be accidentally taught that barking was okay by petting the dog to "calm him down." This can be seen in smaller breeds. When it comes to Owner Possessiveness, it's the owners responsibility to correct their dog. Another person may help but it's up to the owner to correct their dog and say "Enough. I will protect myself. I am the pack leader." Depending on the degree, slight physical corrections may need to be done to snap the dogs attention. Since it will be coming from the owner, it will be unexpected and more effective. The dog may become confused and the correction may need to be reinforced with a command or another correction. The owner will need to stand their ground and be assertive. Since the dog is behaving as the pack leader, it will want to be in front in order to protect. So when it sees the owner is stepping up, it will see where its position in the pack is and calm down. |
|