puppy growling/snarling over bone
Our puppy, Sully (13 weeks), has begun growling and snarling, even snapping once, when we approach him with his marrow bone. The first time this happened, I had us all approach him with treats while chewing the bone and it all worked out fine. Yesterday it happened again, but even worse. I read in one of my books that a perfectly sweet dog can become aggressive and possessive over a bone, so perhaps just not to give them is best. He is not this way around food, toys, or anything else. I'm fine with just forgetting about the bones. He even isn't like this with the marrow bones once the meat is all gone and they're still good for teething purposes. Any thoughts? Thanks, Kate |
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| I would just throw out the bone Kate. Our dogs got super possesive of a rawhide bone and we got rid of them. There are plenty of chewing devices they can use.
It was odd, my sweet dogs just seemed to get possessed over the bone, so in the trash they went. |
| I would put him in his crate to enjoy his bone, I never take a bone without giving a trade with a treat first either. Langley is fine now but was possessive at first too. I kept doing trades. Laika is gated off she is too possessive.
I would keep working at with the trading especially marrow bones those are a great healthy chew unlike rawhide and such. |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: I would just throw out the bone Kate. Our dogs got super possesive of a rawhide bone and we got rid of them. There are plenty of chewing devices they can use. Ditto ditto ditto.
It was odd, my sweet dogs just seemed to get possessed over the bone, so in the trash they went. (Does that make 6 or 8 copies?) |
| I back up that advice too... no bones period.
Too coveted a treat/chew. You might try an appropriate size Nylabone instead. You'll need to upsize and throw away the smaller ones as your puppy grows. |
| how is he ever going to learn? He is 13 weeks old, great opportunity. Marrow bones a great for dogs be a shame he misses out especially at this age; honestly who's dog loves a nylon bone. |
spacegirl21 wrote: how is he ever going to learn? He is 13 weeks old, great opportunity. Marrow bones a great for dogs be a shame he misses out especially at this age; honestly who's dog loves a nylon bone.
Mine love bully sticks! Those are a good option, too. |
Ron wrote: * Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: I would just throw out the bone Kate. Our dogs got super possesive of a rawhide bone and we got rid of them. There are plenty of chewing devices they can use. Ditto ditto ditto. It was odd, my sweet dogs just seemed to get possessed over the bone, so in the trash they went. (Does that make 6 or 8 copies?) 8 |
| Thanks everyone. I appreciate both perspectives, and am just so glad no one said that he's a vicious dog and we have to get rid of him! He is so unbelievably sweet and wonderful otherwise, even with our youngest daughter ( other than the fact that he wants to play with her hair and her ear often gets in the way). |
| Personally, and I may be wrong, I think this is a great
opportunity to work with him before it gets out of hand. Once he gets bigger the problem could be more dangerous, and he will have bigger teeth. I would go to the nothing for free method, hand feed, and under no circumstances should he get anything unless you give it to him. No toys available on the floor etc, only those you give him, and frequently take things away even if you have to 'trade up' to a better item. JMO, it did work for us even though our problem started later than 13 weeks. Shellie |
| When Bailee was a few months old we started to approach, touch, and handle him while he was eating from his bowl as suggested by our trainer. We added a piece of food, then added a couple more, all the time touching, and handling him. Over time we were then able to add food, take away food and even take one piece of food away without so much as a "wuff." I did the same type of conditioning with his bones and treats. I can get him to drop whatever he is eating and let me have it. When he does, I give him another treat so he is still quite satisfied. We never give Bailee nylar bones, even though they are good and hard for teething, any small piece that breaks off can be ingested and possibly harm his digestive system. Rawhide bones are the same way. He is not able to fully digest rawhide and if the piece he eats is too big you may have an unplanned Vet trip. Bailee loves the Bully Sticks and Pigs ears and they are 100% digestable. Our only problem is he can down one in MINUTES! If it lasts more than 8 minutes he is having a bad day chewing. |
| Good advice so far and I agree this is a good opportunity to train him regarding food issues before he becomes older and 100 pounds. Remember what may be "cute" behavior now isn't so much when he's bigger. I know you said he's fine with his food but I'd occasionally pick up his food dish..play with the kibbles (he's watching of course) and then place the bowl back down. You are reinforcing you are Alpha (Alpha's always get the choice food, sleeping spots and make the rules that the rest of the pack follow). Also make sure at this age that it is YOU who always enters the house first and not him as this too is a sign of who is the boss. Pup should not be challenging you for the bone at this early age and is probably testing you, but this can grow into a dangerous habit, especially with young children around. You can either avoid bones all together or use the opportunity now to teach him acceptable behavior regarding bones so that anyone at anytime can take it away from him without a challenge.
I would never think a pup at 13 weeks is aggressive as they are still a baby. It's kinda like holding a human baby in our arms that pulls our hair ..we'd never hand him back to mom and dad and say "that baby is soooo aggressive!"  At the same time, while being understanding that the baby is so young we wouldn't also let them continue to pull our hair but would gently teach baby that this is not acceptable. Eventually they learn. Same with a pup.
When pup starts teething and goes through his nippy stage and trust me 99% of sheepies go through this...Be Prepared to say a firm NO. Then it won't be enough to teach him what not to do but what is also acceptable. So when pup goes through his nipping stage - firm NO, immediately give him a chewy toy and praise him like crazy. I sound like a broken record but whatever work you put in now - will pay you back tenfold for the next 10-15 years. It's worth the initial hard work at the beginning and you'll have a wonderful pet who is a pleasure to be around. Best wishes with your pup! Marianne |
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