spiritdogs
Posted : 10/26/2010 6:07:02 AM
The first thing I'd want to know before trying this is whether the dog actually put holes in the dummy hand. A dog with no bite inhibition is generally unsafe, but if she didn't puncture, that's a point in her favor. Keep in mind that even if you manage to get her not to guard food from an adult, you may not be successful in teaching her not to guard food against kids - so she isn't a safe family dog. There are also children in the universe, and as much as you want to save this dog, she has to live in that universe... This is a monumental task for one week, but one thing I would do is NOT feed her from a full bowl. Instead, start by feeding her first meal by hand (if she's safe enough for that) kibble by kibble. Next meal, put an empty bowl down for her. When she looks at you as if to say "Where's dinner?" drop a few kibbles in. Do that for a couple of days, always waiting for her to look to the human for the food. If that goes well, put some kibble in the bowl, but as she is eating, drop a couple of pieces of chicken or cheese in (this tells her that a human hand coming near her bowl is a good thing). Some dogs only guard in environments like shelters, others guard everywhere, and some guard things that are NOT food as well, which can be devastating when they go to a home. Give it a good go, but don't let your heart overrule your head.