in home territoriality
Has anyone ever had a situation like this and if so how did you handle it?? We are using a Gentle leader and a Basket Muzzle as needed in the house Appreciate any advice you might have. |
|
|
| Is he neutered? |
| Charley was neutered at 6 mo. He was socialized from 10 weeks on. He would go to the Framers Market every Sat, outdoor concerts at the local parks, and he always had several "dog friends" over to his large fenced in backyard to play. This in home territoriality came out of no where.
Jacqui |
| Hi,
He's experiencing guarding resource as they refer to it and this is my guess from your post. Some members claim they've had good results from the "nothing is free" method. Which means you pick up the bowl and feed him one kibble at a time. Play with his food while he's watching. Put it back down and pick it up again. Doggie learns you are the alpha and dictate that you're the master of the food , kinda like the alpha wolf in the wild. Next try passing the food dish to your dad (or other willing individual) but please be careful not to do it low in case your dog leaps after it. I'd feel terrible is someone was hurt as a result. Then have your dad or the other willing adult take one kibble and feed it to your pup with a FLAT HAND. Careful of those fingers! If this is successful - continue feeding the kibbles. A few at a time. You may even have your pup sit. Teaches pup that the humans are in control in the house and not him. You have to do this several times in order for him to stop being so territorial over his food dish. It's unusual for a dog to become obsessive over the water dish as most see that as something for all of them. You didn't say whether all the dogs eat in the same room or not. You may have to seperate them when food time comes around as food is usually a trigger with dogs. He may be trying to establish himself as an emerging alpha as some dogs are more dominant than others. Most behaviorist agree that 9 month old pups cause their moms/dads and other canines the most anquish. (I say this in an affectionate way of course.) Previous to that age - dogs view pups as submissive and the pup knows his place in the pack. The older pre-existing dogs in the household are above him in the heirachy. At 9 months he's a teen and is trying to establish his place in the pack. At offleash parks it's usually the 8-10 month old pups that cause the most rucus. The reason they say is this: They are now viewed as potential adults and the other dogs want to keep their own place in the heirachy and want to make sure the pup stays below them. The pup in turn with his newly establish role as a teen and emerging adult want to move up and thus may do things that are viewed as challenging the other dogs. So you have the age factor in play as well as a pup who is also trying to be the boss in the human household as well. It seems from your post he does acknowledge you and your hubby are alpha to him..but now you may want to set up scenerios where he views other humans are as well. Some behaviorist suggest eating first as wolves would do in the wild (alphas always eat first) and having him watch and don't give him scraps! Sometimes humans think of dogs in human terms and feel sorry for them and yes admitedly I am quilty of that. However, they are dogs and think like dogs. I also know that when Christmas dinner, Easter, Thanksgiving comes around that having a well behaved dog or dogs in my case who know not to approach the table was well worth the effort. Took me a couple dogs to finally "get that" myself. Now I can eat anyplace in my home or have a small tot eat food and now the dogs will not try to snatch food away from them. When I brought home Panda( a 3 yr old rescue) who definately had resource guarding - No way could I even pick up his dog bowl without being worried I'd get bitten. So please be careful if you're not 100% sure you can pick up your pups bowl while he's eating. With Panda, I would throw something else down a bit of a distance away and then when he went to go get it - I would pick up the dog bowl. Kinda like a trade. I would then play with his food (stir up the kibbles and even pretend I'm eating some) teaching him I was alpha and could have his food if I wanted to. Then place his food back down. It took a while but now I can pick up his food anytime and he doesn't react at all. I still feed all three of my dogs seperately as food is still an issue with three male dogs and while they instantly back away from the alpha dog if he wants it..he would eat all their food given the choice. Hope you find what works and good luck to you! Marianne |
Chauncey is very possive of my husband. I have had to exert myself as alpha bitch. Bobby is comfortable as 3rd in the pack order 
When Bob & Chauncey were cuddled on the bed watching TV he would grab my arm when I went to bed.....the alpha bitch ended that. It took awhile and I'm not sure Bob secretly didn't like that Chauncey was his snuggle bunny. Is it possible that he's jealous of your dad when he visits? |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|