Aggressive Behavior

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LucyDog430

Forums Novice
Hi everyone,

I need some advice in dealing with my Lucy, who is now nine months old. In the past few weeks, she has started to show some aggression towards us. She loves to lick the plates in the dishwasher, but when we try to take her away from it, she snarls at us and bites us. This also happens when we try to stop her from chewing on things or try to get something (not food) out of her mouth. She doesn't show any aggression when eating or playing with toys. And these aren't puppy nips. She has drawn blood on all three of us (we're an all adult household). She growls deep in her throat and bares her teeth at us. What can I do to stop this?
 
This is dominance behavior, meaning that Lucy thinks that she is the alpha dog of family/pack. You need to teach her that she is Not the boss of your family, that she is acutally at the bottom of the pecking order.

This is a site that I like that will teach you gentle ways of putting your dog in her place.

http://www.bigpawdesigns.com/gewatoasdowi.html

You should also watch Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. His show is on the National Geographic channel. Yours is an issue that he deals with often.
 
That's a good site, Ontario Sheltie. It shows many of the things I have to do with our little Bichon Frise. We are his third owners, and apparently everybody else let him be the boss. Being the Alpha dog is more stressful for the dog than if you are the Alpha. You must all be very consistent for this to work, but a sheltie is worth it!!
 
Here are some great links to positive training methods that deal with resource guarding:

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/resource-guarding/
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/RG.html
http://www.doglogic.com/possess.htm

Also, if you prefer to have information in hard copy, then pick up the book
"Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs" by Jean Donaldson

For a fabulous list of online articles regarding canine aggression and resource guarding:
http://rewardingbehaviors.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=112
 
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Be very careful about using Alpha dog and dominance techniques with a young Sheltie. Shelties tend to grow up into timid and jumpy adults so you don't want to be harsh when they are young. It may not seem she will grow out of it but they do. I have seen too many examples of behaviourists using these techniques with Shelties and then having the Shelties growing up into dogs lacking confidence.

Positive training techniques are good options - they are good articles GeeRome listed (I had a quick read). Exchanging and rewarding for giving up something is a good approach. She is just hitting adolescence so its not unusual behaviour - don't despair and dont be too harsh with her.
 
Resource guarding is a very common problem. I am very lucky I don't have this problem with Romeo but a friend is dealing with her resource guarding Sheltie who will guard a piece of tissue! We use the same trainer who trains using positive methods only and she's been seeing a lot of improvement, but she did say she's had to work on it constantly and diligently for months. Don't expect overnight miracles!

While you learn how to deal with the issue, I suggest you don't give Lucy more chances to bare teeth and snap. Some dogs do learn that snapping makes whatever they don't like go away, and they'll just keep doing it (growling (a warning signal) alot less than before) because it gets them what they want. If you really need her to stop mouthing whatever she's got in her jaws, go get some treats she really likes and entice her away from the object - best if out of sight from the object, scatter them on the floor (or you can do a hansel and gretel trail) and while she's eating, go take the object away or get someone else to do it. This is by no means a long term solution. What I suggest doesn't change Lucy's resource guarding behaviour at all! It's a quick fix while you read up on how to get the problem resolved. The resources Geerome provided will definitely help you.

You might also find that ALL three members of your household will need to work in resolving the resource guarding problem. If it's just you working on Lucy, you might find that Lucy will allow you to take stuff away from her that she finds valuable, but not the other 2 people in your house.
 
romeosangiovese said:
Resource guarding is a very common problem. I am very lucky I don't have this problem with Romeo but a friend is dealing with her resource guarding Sheltie who will guard a piece of tissue! .
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Okay - I know its naughty but I had to laugh - resource guarding a tissue!!:lol: (Tully is a tissue bandit - just loves shredding them)
 
Thank you all so much! I was afraid she was a hopeless case! She's a sweetheart usually, except when she's got something in her mouth.
 
romeosangiovese said:
Resource guarding is a very common problem. I am very lucky I don't have this problem with Romeo but a friend is dealing with her resource guarding Sheltie who will guard a piece of tissue! We use the same trainer who trains using positive methods only and she's been seeing a lot of improvement, but she did say she's had to work on it constantly and diligently for months. Don't expect overnight miracles!

While you learn how to deal with the issue, I suggest you don't give Lucy more chances to bare teeth and snap. Some dogs do learn that snapping makes whatever they don't like go away, and they'll just keep doing it (growling (a warning signal) alot less than before) because it gets them what they want. If you really need her to stop mouthing whatever she's got in her jaws, go get some treats she really likes and entice her away from the object - best if out of sight from the object, scatter them on the floor (or you can do a hansel and gretel trail) and while she's eating, go take the object away or get someone else to do it. This is by no means a long term solution. What I suggest doesn't change Lucy's resource guarding behaviour at all! It's a quick fix while you read up on how to get the problem resolved. The resources Geerome provided will definitely help you.

You might also find that ALL three members of your household will need to work in resolving the resource guarding problem. If it's just you working on Lucy, you might find that Lucy will allow you to take stuff away from her that she finds valuable, but not the other 2 people in your house.
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I like this post and the info GeeRome gave. As I read your post it reminded me of my sister's dog, he is a biter. My two shelties don't do this but I liked this post where you distract and take. I know you have to have some fear with this situation, and I swear dogs are so smart, they know when you have fear too. A treasure hunt/trail is a great idea.
 
My friend's tissue guarding sheltie took to the training so well that now he'll actively hunt out tissues from bins to present to her to exchange it for a treat! Aren't Shelties smart? :lol:
 
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