There's a book by Jean Donaldson called "Mine!" that a lot of people on this forum recommend. I just ordered it myself. It's all about how you can "un-train" this resource guarding behavior by teaching your dog that when you take something away from him he'll get something...

[quote user="snownose"] I am going to say that this was probably a learned behavior, once the dog has swiped an item and was offered a trade, it re-enforced the behavior, the dog won, no matter what. [/quote] Teaching a "trade" is one of several ways to help reduce resource guarding...

Wow, Snownose, don't hold back there. Tell us how you really feel. [quote user="snownose"]Cita, I achieve that by doing so right from the beginning when they are pups......or very young......my dogs know I control all things......I should be able to take things out my dogs mouth......in...

This is my first post. I have a problem with one of my English Cockers. She is a sweet 21 month old female. She has finished her 2 heat, 5 wks ago. She has since become protective to the point of aggression of 2 toys. She growls when we touch her or the toy and she protects it all day. I don't let...

I think this is great advice. [quote user="flwrchld53"]So, instead of GIVING her the chew, I held it in my hand and let her chew on it while I retained possesion. It was MY chew that I was sharing with her and I did not allow her to take it away. She learned very quickly and after only a few...

I agree with some of the previous posters. This is a very, very common problem called "resource guarding" - a training and management issue. Put your dog on an NILIF program and get the following book. Donaldson, Jean , Mine! A Guide To Resource Guarding In Dogs , 2002 http://www.dogwise.com...

I have a Dane, now 18 months old...has no food or resource issues. All our previous dogs had no food aggression issues...here's what I did! Establish regular feeding time...after you eat. If it's not your food time...get the bowl ready with food, eat something, anything, then present the bowl...

[quote user="luvmyswissy"]My Vet didn't is holistic and practical in his approaches. He agreed that the over eating could cause bloat if he were to be exercised immediately after to much food, this is a concern with his breed normally. As a matter of fact, we have always been advised by...

Resource guarding is a very natural problem, but definitely an important one to work on. * content removed, advertising*