Possessiveness

"This advice sheet is only intended to help you but does not replace the advice of a behaviorist or participation in a kennel club". The post also remains open to everyone to share your experiences.
I am not a professional, and I am going to talk here about situations that I have experienced, observed. If possessive behavior harms your life and your relationship with the dog, quickly contact a professional (in positive AND friendly education) => HERE


You have already encountered one of the following situations:
- my dog ​​growls when someone approaches his bowl
- my dog ​​growls when we approach his basket
- my dog ​​growls when I want to take his toy
- my dog ​​growls when someone approaches me
etc. etc.

What does your dog want? He wants to protect his "resource", something that is of value to him, that exerts a strong motivation. For some Romanians, to go from a life of a pound where dogs have known cold, hunger, discomfort ... The protection of resources is necessary to survive, including when they arrive in your sweet home where yet, they will not lack for anything (but that they do not know!)

a) my dog ​​growls when someone approaches his bowl: If the dog growls it is precisely because he wants to communicate with his entourage by saying ==> do not approach you.
At first, for our little Romanians who missed it, my common sense would tell me to say to you "let them eat TRAN-QUIL-LE-MENT." You wouldn't want to be disturbed in the middle of a delicious meal !! Isolate the dog in an area where it will not be disturbed by dogs, children or humans. I would also tend to say: "be present during group meals." It is also up to you to manage this moment so that it is not confrontational.
If ever the dog growls a human, reassure him before your passage by speaking to him softly (without touching him of course), drop treats when you pass by him and the dog will associate your passage and your proximity with something positive. .

b) my dog ​​growls when we approach his basket: Once again, the dog communicates. The basket is precisely the place where the dog is supposed to be quiet, without threat. You can again operate on positive reinforcement: when someone approaches the basket, the dog who is inside is offered a treat to distract their attention. If he did not growl we verbalize by congratulating him: "Ouiiii, c'est bien".
In the case of Chicago that I had in reception, he protected "his sofa", "the bed" and "the room (the office") as soon as he entered it first. All it took was a lifting of lips, a very low growl, even a head that stood up for my dog ​​to understand the signals and turn around ... Except that I was bothered by that !!
So I have already multiplied the times when I took care of them, at the same time: walks, games, education ... When Chicago growled, I would ask him to get out of the room or get out of bed. I would invite Lupita to come and only after that I would invite Chicago and reward him ...

c) my dog ​​growls when I want to take his toy: In this case we can: offer him an exchange with another toy he likes a lot. We can also work on a progressive approach thanks to the treat.

d) my dog ​​growls when someone approaches me: Suggest to people who come to see you to come with treats or toys !!! Do it with your entourage, your friends. Teach your dog to let go of you and to trust others. It is better to become friends than rivals!

A very interesting article on this topic ==> http://ouafmag.com/chien-possessif/

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

An example, Abby a puppy and Tania, 2 kitties at home:

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

"when is it if a dog shows possessiveness towards his master over another dog? how to react? eg Abby attacks Tania when I give the bowls, so I give away from each other and I serve Abby first?
am I doing right?
ditto if I talk to Tania or if I stroke her, Abby intervenes "

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

Abby is exclusive and she is a puppy, you have to see how it evolves ... We can however start to give her some limits.

Personally, if Abby interferes during the caresses, I will immediately stop contact with her, and I will repeat the exercise until she understands that she can come (in this case congratulate him without too much excite) but without interposing (otherwise no contact).

We can also teach him to "wait" or "not move".
Personally, after having worked on one of her two orders, I will ask Tania for a "no move", I will invite Abby to come and get a quick caress and I will call Tania to come and receive some as well. But that's more difficult for a puppy.

On the other hand, I will not let Tania "attack" another dog for the bowl. If she learns to "sit still" or "waits" for it, you should be able to end up giving her bowl to other dogs and have her wait. After, once again it's a puppy .... you have to take it slow.

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

But indeed, it is clear that Summer should not be hugging using this behavior.
It's good to tell her "sit down, not move", pet Panda and then take care of Summer. And then we can also take care of both at the same time.