Kenai and the aggressive bone...

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This topic is available here on forum.oes.org

Thank you so much for all the good advice! It's so good to know that he is a normal sheppie puppy! However...I'm having another BIG problem...for the most part, Kenai is not aggressive at all. BUT...when we get him butcher bones he gets very bad! First time we gave them to him he just growled if we tried to take them away (again...not really with my husband....I think he obeys him more b/c he's afraid of him?) Yesterday I got him another one and wanted to work w/ him on his "tendencies" and it was disasterous. This time he was VERY bad and tried to bite me and kept growling. I couldn't get the bone away from him w/out him trying to bite and growl. He's going to be a big dog so I know that this will not be acceptable. Should I just avoid giving him those bones? Or is there some better way to handle this. I was in tears thinking that he was a mean dog! :cry:

beansprout75 wrote:

BUT...when we get him butcher bones he gets very bad! First time we gave them to him he just growled if we tried to take them away (again...not really with my husband....I think he obeys him more b/c he's afraid of him?) Yesterday I got him another one and wanted to work w/ him on his "tendencies" and it was disasterous. This time he was VERY bad and tried to bite me and kept growling. I couldn't get the bone away from him w/out him trying to bite and growl. Should I just avoid giving him those bones? Or is there some better way to handle this. I was in tears thinking that he was a mean dog! :cry:

Why would Kenai be afraid of your husband?

As for the growling, this in no way means that you have a mean dog, Your dog is behaving very normal for a dog. He has something and is showing you that he wants to keep it. Best you respect it so nobody gets hurt.

This is normal behavior, but we do not appreicate it at all. You have to slowly develope his trust that you will not take his things away, or that you will replace it with something better.

There are many posts regarding "resource guarding" which is what you fellow is demonstrating. Do a seach on the forum and you will find these, and on the internet you will find good information, too.
There is also a book called "Mine" by Jean Donaldson that is very good at explaining this behavior and how to change it. In order for this dog to become safe you need to change his state of mind. Being rough and taking things away by force will make it worse, as he will become more and more protective of high valued items.

By the way, right now this is very dangerous around people, as someone may get bitten. Until you get this under control do not go near him or let anyone near him while he is eating.

Good luck!

Hi,

Welcome to the forum!

I'd advise not to give him any bones until he learns to deal with food aggression as it will only esculate and may cause some heart breaking story in the future.

He is not being mean but defending his bone against you and that tells me he does not see you as the alpha (the boss) as dogs will relenquish their bones, food or anything else immediately if the alpha wants it without a fuss. Growling dogs are only warning a person to stop what they are doing, best to respect it and not insist at that time to take it away.

Also remember not to say his name when you are angry or in an angry tone of voice. Don't play tug or war with him as with some dogs if they win they will see themselves as emerging alphas. Read a couple of books on dog behavior to give you a better perspective on how they view life. Makes training way easier!

Even in the wild no wolf is afraid of the alpha wolf..they respect them. A fearful dog will turn into a biter as they are always unsure of the intention towards them. Firmness, lots of love and becoming knowledgable on how to get your dog to view you as the alpha in subtle ways is the key to having a happy home.

To stop food aggression ..you can either hand feed him...one kibble at a time. Yes takes time and consistency but he will see you as the one "allowing " him to have the food. Again, this is to establish you are alpha. It's based on the nothing is free rule and they have to work for it.

Another bit of info is you should be able to pick up his food bowl at any time without him fussing. Pick it up...stir the kibbles around..let him see you doing this..put it back down for him. Just be careful please as seems to have already developed some food aggression and this needs to be stopped or will get worse as time developes.

It can be done as I had a rescue, who because of his background and previous lack of food was very food possessive. I poured his food in the dish and would play with it...would eat in front of him..(lol not the kibble of course but he thought it was) and place the bowl down. Eventually I was able to pick up the food dish anytime without reaction from him. This is extremely important as anyone can walk by the dog's food dish at feeding time and you will not have to worry about Kanai reacting or accidently biting someone. The dog always pays the price and you as his mom have to always guarantee his safety for the future and your own safety too.
Good luck

Oh forgot to add one more thing.

In my household I mentioned that I'm a petite person and live with three large male dogs. Some things are known as "Triggers" in which the item causes too much stress or anxiety and is best avoided. Bones are considered a number 1 choice item lots of dogs generally pals would fight over, which is why I'd recommend you stop buying them until you are able to get a handle on his behavior.

Marianne and the boys

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