Not a fan of sharing toys...can we prevent that?

[pattysdaddy]

I'm just curious about my dog. She's not a fan of sharing toys. Even if its a stick. As soon as someone throws something she has in her mind its for her and her only. Sometimes she gets the toy and she brings it back no issues. Sometimes she doesn't get the toy, and the other dog brings it back, no issues. But often if she gets it and another dog is around and also wants it she will growl or bark. Sometimes she even drops the toy to get a better bark or growl in. Same if another dog gets the toy before her....she will growl or bark to get it until they run away or drop the toy.

This happens at the dog park sometimes if a dog picks up a stick. Some dogs seem to like to play tug a war or even chase me with a stick...I can't tell owners "don't let your dog pick up a stick" .

Is this something I can work on (is this something I SHOULD work on?)

Other then that she plays nice with other dogs, doesn't have any agression towards other dogs or people and doesn't even have food agression.

Advice?

OH, and how can I train her to share toys? Especially if its a game of fetch....I'd prefer she not snap at other dogs for a toy in that scenario.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I'm just curious about my dog. She's not a fan of sharing toys. Even if its a stick. As soon as someone throws something she has in her mind its for her and her only. Sometimes she gets the toy and she brings it back no issues. Sometimes she doesn't get the toy, and the other dog brings it back, no issues. But often if she gets it and another dog is around and also wants it she will growl or bark. Sometimes she even drops the toy to get a better bark or growl in. Same if another dog gets the toy before her....she will growl or bark to get it until they run away or drop the toy.

Is this something I can work on (is this something I SHOULD work on?)

Advice?

OH, and how can I train her to share toys? Especially if its a game of fetch....I'd prefer she not snap at other dogs for a toy in that scenario.

You absolutely SHOULD work on this. This is called resource guarding, he's guarding the toys (sticks count as toys). This is normal dog behavior, you're actually lucky if your dog does not do this.

Unfortunately for you, I've been lucky and haven't had a lot of experience trying to fix it. But I am reading the pamphlet, "Mine!" by Jean Donaldson (it's my homework this weekend.... I'm training a dog who's a big resource guarder), I've heard it's the best thing to read for guarding. You can probably find it for sale online somewhere.

In the mean time, I'd suggest picking up all the toys (including sticks, best as you can), and only give them to dogs when they're in separate rooms. This is managing the guarding behavior, preventing it from happening. It would be a good idea to also feed them in separate rooms, even though this is not a problem now, it probably will be eventually. If you continue to let it go on, you'll probably have a dog fight on your hands in the near future.

 

[texasdave777]

Shelfish Dog

I would work on teaching her commands like "drop it" and "leave it" commands; that way when you or anyone else goes to pick up a toy or anything that she may think is 'hers' you can give her a command to "drop it" or "leave it".

Good Luck,

David K.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I would work on teaching her commands like "drop it" and "leave it" commands; that way when you or anyone else goes to pick up a toy or anything that she may think is 'hers' you can give her a command to "drop it" or "leave it".

This is a good idea in general, but it's most likely that she won't drop it when you tell her to when there are other dogs around, because then the other dog will steal it from her (or she will think he will), and then you've definately got a fight on your hands.

 

[jrs3936296]

Here are some answers

 

[lizzybeth727]

Here are some answers

Aaah, very enlightening as always.