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Post by pjsurratt on Mar 20, 2009 0:08:45 GMT -5
My new boy has started resource guarding me! Every time I go to give affection to the other dogs, he will literally force his way in between us. Or start trying to mouth me or the other dog. I need advice on how to handle this. ???
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Post by lpyrbby on Mar 20, 2009 7:20:53 GMT -5
I wouldn't necessarily call this resource guarding. Sounds more like jealousness/possessiveness. Do you live with other people that can help? I can't remember how many other dogs you have but I'd try to work with only two dogs at a time with this, the new pup and one of the others. If you have more than the two, separate them and work individually with each dog and the new dog. What your goal is, is to create a positive association with you or anyone else giving the other dogs attention. Your goal is to teach him that good behavior (sitting, laying, otherwise being patient) will get him good things in return. With someone else holding on to the new guy - leashed, not physically restrained, have them work on some basic obedience like sit, down, and settle while you are calmly petting the other dog. When he is sitting calmly, not intensely focused on you or what you are doing, have your other dog sit and stay while you give calm attention to the new pup. Give him a yummy treat, a calm pet, and end the session on a good note. Rinse and repeat. Another thing, do the dogs just come barge in for attention any time they want? Are they permitted to interrupt whatever you are doing for attention? If so, end that right away. You are the bringer of all that is good in their lives and they need to look to you and ask YOU for what they want, not just make the decision themselves. It's really not their decision to make. For example, when my dogs want attention, they come to me and sit in front of me. If I'm ready to lavish them with love, they get it. If anyone starts getting pushy, NO ONE gets attention. It stops. Additionally, if they want me to play with them, they bring me a toy and sit in front of me. If I want to play, I take the toy and engage them. When I'm done, that's it. They respect it and go lay back down or initiate a game with one another. www.k9deb.com/nilifIf you are not practicing Nothing In Life Is Free in your home, get to reading and get to implementing It's not being mean, its setting boundaries and expectations and the precedence that your dogs look to YOU for guidance and permission. With you as their caretaker, they need to be looking to you for decision making. They don't need to be making decisions on their own because that is not there "privilege" so to speak. There's more advice to be given out there and the more seasoned professionals will be on their way soon with descriptions that may help you better than mine lol! I tend to be one of those people that just does it, without really thinking much on the method used. You can overcome this though so no worries! Put your mind to it and you will see positive results!
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Post by bamapitbullmom on Mar 20, 2009 12:44:06 GMT -5
Remove yourself when he begins guarding you. Literally get up and leave immediately when it begins. He guards=you go away. I'd be a bit concerned about arousal here, too. Both dogs vying for one person's attention. Tone it down, bring the energy down and only give energetic affection on a one on one basis. Eliminate the opportunities for him to practice guarding. As Alicia suggested, work on replacement behaviors which illicites your attention. Instead of barging through to physically get near you, teach him that a sit gets your attention. Work on a reliable sit, down and wait with both dogs individually first then work on these behaviors under higher distractions (such as one sitting and waiting while the other gets attention). Resource guarding of this type (guarding a person or space) can escalate very quickly into a scrap. So the more you can avoid situations which prompt them, the better. There is also a bit of conflicting advice out there such as rewarding the guarding dog when another dog in near to condition them to associate the approaching dog brings good things to him. And also to physically remove the dog so that he learns guarding equals removal. I think tempting fate (the first suggestion) is okay in some instances but I wouldn't say in yours. The second requires physical handling and by the time the dog in in the crate/other room, etc there is no longer an association to the guarding infraction.
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Post by pjsurratt on Mar 21, 2009 18:49:52 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I've got 3 girls & 1 boy. My Hubby and grown daughter are both helpful when present. New boy (Viking) may not have ever had any people before. He was found wandering the streets in very poor condition. He had such bad manners, jumping, lungeing (esp w/food)...he needs work in every area. I am gonna take him to beginner's obedience at Petsmart (that's all we have near here). I am gonna re-read NILF, and take your "ignoring" suggestion. Thanks Again! Pat, Tawney, Lola, Hope & Viking
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Post by bamapitbullmom on Mar 21, 2009 20:31:29 GMT -5
Just be careful with big box trainers...most are not positive based (though some are) and less than stellar experiences don't help a dog progress.
Be sure to ask about methods and observe before committing.
One particular trainer here in my area with Petsmart is all positive yet when I observed her class, sooooo much was done wrong! Even her useage of clickers was so bad it really frustrated the dog owners more than anything else.
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Post by tank on Mar 21, 2009 21:59:53 GMT -5
I know when I worked at Petco and they offered training classes, they only had educated (who had actual training and certification) trainers. I am not positive if that is how Petsmart works. Just be careful as you would be with any trainer and ask to observe a class before hand. Most places have the classes right in the store in a sectioned off area, so you just have to find out what nights they teach and just show up and watch for a few.
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Post by bamapitbullmom on Mar 22, 2009 11:13:22 GMT -5
Pat~ You can also search for trainers in your area on www.apdt.com website. My friend who is extremely qualified (went to the SF Academy of Dog Trainers), earned her CPDT (and keeps it current by earning credits at seminars and workshops) and many other qualifications and memberships and endorsements charges a LOT less than Petsmart classes with much more thorough and easy to understand information. So look around before signing up to the best known classes because very likely there is a wonderful trainer who can offer much more just without the mega advertising.
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Post by pjsurratt on Apr 12, 2009 22:46:17 GMT -5
Bamapitbullmom~Sorry it took so long to reply...Thanks to the link you provided I have located a private trainer. It will cost a little bit more, but I really prefer paying an individual than a big corporation.
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Post by bamapitbullmom on Apr 13, 2009 0:41:40 GMT -5
Yay! Please keep us posted!
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