Possessiveness
Most dog owners are somewhat amazed when their dog first shows possessiveness. This is because of the manner in which the pet expresses itself, usually verbally ( a growl or a snarl ) and orally ( a snap or a nip ). This is usually the first time the owner has ever had the animal do anything threatening against them.
They find it hard to accept that the dog could feel that it has something that the owner has given to him and the dog does not want to have the owner touch or take it from them. After all, ownership means that the owner owns everything and the dog owns nothing. NOT SO MY FRIENDS! There are times that the animal will feel that what has been given to it or the animal has taken, is the sole right of possession by the animal . This could be as simple as a ball or toy or something to chew or eat.
Most dog owners are somewhat amazed when their dog first shows possessiveness. This is because of the manner in which the pet expresses itself, usually verbally ( a growl or a snarl ) and orally ( a snap or a nip ). This is usually the first time the owner has ever had the animal do anything threatening against them.
They find it hard to accept that the dog could feel that it has something that the owner has given to him and the dog does not want to have the owner touch or take it from them. After all, ownership means that the owner owns everything and the dog owns nothing. NOT SO MY FRIENDS! There are times that the animal will feel that what has been given to it or the animal has taken, is the sole right of possession by the animal . This could be as simple as a ball or toy or something to chew or eat.
While the dog is basically a pack animal, there are times that because of the dogs perceived status in the pack, it feels that it can take an object as its own and no other member of the pack can have access to that object. The dog will fight to retain possession from a pack member it views as equal or subordinate.
How do we prevent this situation from occurring in the first place. There are several methods suggested to condition the dog so as to prevent this from occurring. The first method is related to food. In order to be able to take food away from the dog, the owner should first practice the habit of going to the dogs food bowl and placing more food in the bowl as the dog is eating. This means that you first give the dog 1/3 of its normal amount in the bowl. As the dog is eating, you go to the bowl and pour another 1/3 into the bowl. The dog now knows that when you come to the bowl it can expect to get more food. You then put the final 1/3 of the amount in to the bowl. You do this each time you feed the dog for at least eight to ten days. This conditions the dog to the behavior of your coming to the bowl and putting more food in the bowl. Next you start with the 1/3 in the bowl and as the dog is almost finished with the food, you pick up the bowl and pour 1/3 into it and set it back down for the dog to eat. When the dog is almost finished, you again pick up the bowl and pour the last 1/3 into it and place it on the floor for the dog to finish. Do this for eight to ten days and you can now pick up the bowl and place it back on the floor without the dog objecting. Once or twice a week go back to the first method of putting more food in the bowl in order to reinforce the routine.
The second method if generally called the trade-off method. You give the dog a ball or a toy and when you want to take it from the dog, you offer the dog another ball or toy. When the dog releases the first ball or toy, you throw the second so the dog can have that one. You do not try to get the item from the dog, but wait until the dog willingly gives up the first item. As soon as the dog releases the item. throw the replacement item. Dogs are willing to give up something if they get something in return. After five or six releases and trade-offs, you start to say "OUT" as the dog releases the item. The dog soon learns that out means that you will give something in replacement for the item the dog is willing to give up. OUT can be then transferred to anything you want the dog to give up. Don't get greedy and forget to treat the dog when it give up something. The dog will soon learn that you are taking and not giving.
How do we prevent this situation from occurring in the first place. There are several methods suggested to condition the dog so as to prevent this from occurring. The first method is related to food. In order to be able to take food away from the dog, the owner should first practice the habit of going to the dogs food bowl and placing more food in the bowl as the dog is eating. This means that you first give the dog 1/3 of its normal amount in the bowl. As the dog is eating, you go to the bowl and pour another 1/3 into the bowl. The dog now knows that when you come to the bowl it can expect to get more food. You then put the final 1/3 of the amount in to the bowl. You do this each time you feed the dog for at least eight to ten days. This conditions the dog to the behavior of your coming to the bowl and putting more food in the bowl. Next you start with the 1/3 in the bowl and as the dog is almost finished with the food, you pick up the bowl and pour 1/3 into it and set it back down for the dog to eat. When the dog is almost finished, you again pick up the bowl and pour the last 1/3 into it and place it on the floor for the dog to finish. Do this for eight to ten days and you can now pick up the bowl and place it back on the floor without the dog objecting. Once or twice a week go back to the first method of putting more food in the bowl in order to reinforce the routine.
The second method if generally called the trade-off method. You give the dog a ball or a toy and when you want to take it from the dog, you offer the dog another ball or toy. When the dog releases the first ball or toy, you throw the second so the dog can have that one. You do not try to get the item from the dog, but wait until the dog willingly gives up the first item. As soon as the dog releases the item. throw the replacement item. Dogs are willing to give up something if they get something in return. After five or six releases and trade-offs, you start to say "OUT" as the dog releases the item. The dog soon learns that out means that you will give something in replacement for the item the dog is willing to give up. OUT can be then transferred to anything you want the dog to give up. Don't get greedy and forget to treat the dog when it give up something. The dog will soon learn that you are taking and not giving.
Reinforcement is necessary for any behavior to be retained as part of the dogs behavioral repertoire.
Patience and perseverance are the keys to training, obtain them and the world is yours.
