| 1. Recognizing Resource Guarding Aggression | | | | If your dog is trained that YOU and all your family |
| When your dog shows this aggression, you will see | | | | members are higher than him, he would never dream |
| possessive behavior like snarling or growling at you or | | | | of snarling at you when you try to take away his toy |
| a family member if you try to take away one of their | | | | or growling when you approach him when he's eating. |
| toys or even when you walk up to them when they | | | | Lower ranked dogs respect the higher ranked dogs. I |
| are eating. Basically it's when they have something in | | | | know you are not a dog, but he doesn't see it that |
| their mouth they feel it is theirs and no one better try | | | | way. |
| to take it away from them. As strange as it sounds, | | | | 3. How You As A Dog Owner can Correct This |
| what they have in their mouth means something to | | | | ProblemThis will not be hard, but it will take LOTS of |
| them. | | | | patience and training. Start out with two 15 minute |
| 2. Understanding It | | | | sessions a day. (it is imperative that you keep these |
| You need to understand that it is in your dog's nature | | | | sessions short) You need to make it perfectly clear |
| to be possessive once in a while. They are pack | | | | who is in command. Make sure you praise him and |
| animals. Think of it like wolves. Each individual wolf is | | | | give him a treat when he obeys your commands. |
| ranked in hierarchy of dominance over all the other | | | | When he misbehaves, you will need to isolate him for |
| wolves. They know their rank and they know how | | | | misbehavior. This can either be outside or in a room by |
| they need to act in all situations. This means they | | | | themselves for a few minutes. (not a closet!) |
| know when they can push the issue or to back down. | | | | If you really aren't confident enough in yourself to train |
| It's their instinct. Dogs are exactly the same. | | | | your dog, get some assistance from a qualified dog |
| Even though you may feel this is ridiculous, your dog | | | | trainer. If you do it yourself, read up on your dogs |
| sees you and the rest of your family the same as a | | | | breed so you can understand some of his behaviors |
| dog-pack environment. Again, this is their instinct! He | | | | better. It will give you more communication with him. |
| ranks each and every one of you. Now, if your dog | | | | Don't give up! Most dogs will learn quickly if you keep |
| thinks of himself as the highest member of your family, | | | | on it. They need enough time to realize that they are |
| you will have problems with aggression. Dominance | | | | not the "Alpha" in your home. |
| and aggression are their right as a high ranked animal. | | | | |