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My 8 month old cocker spaniel has severe guarding aggression.I don't want to get rid of him but I don't know what to do.
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Guest 388128
on Mar 18th 2009
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in Aggression
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Answers
The main problem with guarding aggression is that the dog is under the impression that the item (food, toy, etc.) belongs to him. You have correct the misunderstanding and replace it with the knowledge that everything--even the things you really see has "his"--actually are yours. This puts you in the protecting, provider roll and takes the dog out of that role. To do this, it can help to seperate the dog from whatever he is guarding. Don't take the item away--make the dog leave the item. Taking the item away initiates a chase response. If you can't get the dog to move away by placing yourself between him and the item, use something safe like a tennis racquet inserted between them. No biting that way. Then just brush the dog back away until he gets the idea that the item is "yours" and not "his". Don't worry, he'll get it. You don't have to get rid of him.
Guest 529128
answered on 3/18/09.
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Play the switch game. Get near the object have another object to distract him with when he goes for it, take the other one away.
Bridget aka Bad Pants
answered on 3/18/09.
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Hi there!
I totally agree with the "Guest" response that you need to teach the dog that everything is provided by you, the pack leader, and can be reclaimed at any time.
The tricky thing is that even an 8-month-old dog has sharp teeth. If this is a "severe guarding aggression" problem, you would be well advised to find a reputable behaviorist who can assess the situation and work with you and the dog safely. While creating space with your body or a tennis racket is usually an effective approach, if the dog is truly aggressive, or if he sends signals that you don't recognize as a warning, someone could get bitten.
In her book The Other End of the Leash, Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. tells of a time she was working with a large dog that actually took a chunk out of her arm after she took "his" bone. Dogs have quick reflexes, and if someone with a Ph.D. in animal behavior and thousands of hours of experience working with aggressive dogs can be injured, so can you.
Hope this helps - good luck!
Katie
answered on 3/18/09.
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I agree with Guest 529128, as well. If you need to see this in action, catch "Dog Whisperer" on National Geographic channel. Check your local listings. The dog whisperer, Cesar Millan, often addresses this very issue. You can probably rent full seasons at your local video rental store. Then you can forward through the ones that don’t address your issue and save time. But, if you ask me, his other techniques are well worth watching, too. Good luck!
Guest 715108
answered on 3/20/09.
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