My dog, Liberty, is really toy possesive since he turned four years old over a month ago. However he's starting to growl and snap at me when I tried to hold a toy he was playing with or chewing, never did that before, and he bit my sister. Is it normal for a small dog to do this? That's really scary. Is there anything I can do to work on this with him besides saying no, which doesn't help at all?
Toy possesive
- Thread starter Fuzz Puppy
- Start date
Being toy possessive in small dogs is not that all uncommon, but is not necessarily a 'normal' behavior. It could be as simple as being possessive over a toy, or it could be a bigger issue with dominance or aggression. He bit your sister, and that is not acceptable. I'd suggest implementing the Nothing In Life Is Free techniques pronto.
NILIF
Saying no usually doesn't help situations like this at all. If his growls increase when you say no it is probably because it sounds like your growling and he's responding to your threat. Telling a dog what to do instead of what not to do is usually a better method to follow. I'd suggest teaching Liberty the 'Give' or 'Trade' command. Entice him with a treat to drop the stolen object and say the word you choose. When he drops the object to get the treat, lavish him with praise, tell him to sit, and then reward him with the treat. This should be able to get your dog give you the object when you say in no time.
I hope this helps a little~
NILIF
Saying no usually doesn't help situations like this at all. If his growls increase when you say no it is probably because it sounds like your growling and he's responding to your threat. Telling a dog what to do instead of what not to do is usually a better method to follow. I'd suggest teaching Liberty the 'Give' or 'Trade' command. Entice him with a treat to drop the stolen object and say the word you choose. When he drops the object to get the treat, lavish him with praise, tell him to sit, and then reward him with the treat. This should be able to get your dog give you the object when you say in no time.
I hope this helps a little~
You're wrong. I can control Liberty and I have. Besides, He's getting a lot better. He snarled and growled at me, so I grabbed his mouth real fast and then he stopped. I think it really surprised him and he stopped doing it. So, I can control him. Are you trying to give my advice with your dog right back at me again? I would have taken Liberty to a trainer if he wouldn't stop again. But he did stop and he hasn't done that again sice the time I told you in this post. I think he wanted to know if he could snap or bite me and my sister in those two times. I showed him that he couldn't and I'll repeat the same training again if I need to until he gets it. That's the end of it. I'll just keep repeating it as much as neccasary. End of discussion.
By the way, This thread was posted a while ago.
By the way, This thread was posted a while ago.
Brattina gave you good advice. It is a leadership issue and the NILIF will help turn that around. Obedience practice too, every day. When you play the give and take game, add those words as commands so he can be learning something too. Repeat it back and forth. He gives, he gets a treat, you give it back to him, "take" and he also learns that he'll get it back...no big deal that you take it. It's a game and it's rewarding to give you something. Start with toys which are lower value, not his favorite. But be confident. You can teach him to retrieve and that will help too.
Make sure your dog learns that he doesn't make up the rules and dictate to you. If he wants something, don't react. You be the one who directs things, chooses when it's playtime, toy time, outside time, affection time.... on your terms and let him be the one to react. Leaders act, followers react. You can turn this around in a couple of weeks with consistancy.
Make sure your dog learns that he doesn't make up the rules and dictate to you. If he wants something, don't react. You be the one who directs things, chooses when it's playtime, toy time, outside time, affection time.... on your terms and let him be the one to react. Leaders act, followers react. You can turn this around in a couple of weeks with consistancy.
Oh....LOL. I didn't notice the date that you first posted. A-r-g-g. Well, it's good that he seems to be getting better. Yeah...grabbing his mouth is probably not the way to win his trust. You want him to trust that he's going to get the toy back and that you're no threat to his stuff. BUT........he also needs to know that you call the shots. And your sister too, should practice that NILIF....everyone in the family should. He needs to be kept fresh and up to date that humans are his leaders and he doesn't dictate to people what they do. But it can and should be done without harshness....just controlling his resources, the things he likes and needs. Then he'll really respect you all more.
If you've for sure not had any problems since then, you could lighten up with the NILIF....like not have to make him earn every single thing, but I would continue with a good deal of it. And just walk around with that aire of confidence and purpose. Giving obedience commands and rewarding helps a lot. I hope you keep practicing. That way he sees that you're the one who tells him what to do, not the other way around. Plus, it's super neat to comply because he gets praised and gets treats.
Hope things continue to get better.
I've got to remember to check those dates. That's so funny when old posts come up and you don't even notice how old they are. This one isn't that old, but I've seen them come before where they're a year old. LOL.
If you've for sure not had any problems since then, you could lighten up with the NILIF....like not have to make him earn every single thing, but I would continue with a good deal of it. And just walk around with that aire of confidence and purpose. Giving obedience commands and rewarding helps a lot. I hope you keep practicing. That way he sees that you're the one who tells him what to do, not the other way around. Plus, it's super neat to comply because he gets praised and gets treats.
Hope things continue to get better.
I've got to remember to check those dates. That's so funny when old posts come up and you don't even notice how old they are. This one isn't that old, but I've seen them come before where they're a year old. LOL.