How do You Teach a Puppy to Give Up a Bone

[Lahree]

My sister has a 6 month old Shih Tzu that snaps and growls if my sister has to take away her bone or chew toy. My sister asked how do you teach a puppy not to do this? I have never had one problem with any of my Shelties giving up a toy or bone or food, so I don't know.

Any advice I can give my sister?

 

[SheltieChe]

1. yes, put 3-4 bones of same value at one time, pick up the one she is not eating and offer it to puppy, once puppy takes new one pick up another... etc
2. another scenario- divide breakfast meal into 3-4 dishes, put them all on the floor, let puppy eat from one bowl, pick up another, offer it, then pick up another etc... you are teaching puppy it is ok for humans to touch his meals
3. give bone of low value and ask for it back by offering tasty piece of something really high value.
4. hand feed every piece of kibble for 2 weeks
5. let puppy eat all bones/ chewies out of your hand, or at least part of it
6. watch where the "spot" is, i.e. if you are to give your puppy important cookie/ bone, where would your puppy take it/// Go to that spot and sit there, then offer a bone or cookie or whatever, comes from your hand
6. TEACH that dog retrieve!!!! It is best exercise on SHARING! eventually you can do retrieve with bones and chewies

 

[corbinam]

1. yes, put 3-4 bones of same value at one time, pick up the one she is not eating and offer it to puppy, once puppy takes new one pick up another... etc
2. another scenario- divide breakfast meal into 3-4 dishes, put them all on the floor, let puppy eat from one bowl, pick up another, offer it, then pick up another etc... you are teaching puppy it is ok for humans to touch his meals
3. give bone of low value and ask for it back by offering tasty piece of something really high value.
4. hand feed every piece of kibble for 2 weeks
5. let puppy eat all bones/ chewies out of your hand, or at least part of it
6. watch where the "spot" is, i.e. if you are to give your puppy important cookie/ bone, where would your puppy take it/// Go to that spot and sit there, then offer a bone or cookie or whatever, comes from your hand
6. TEACH that dog retrieve!!!! It is best exercise on SHARING! eventually you can do retrieve with bones and chewies

What she said

 

[Craig]

Take any treat. Offer it to the dog. When they try to take it, don't let go. If a tug of war develops do not pull back. Hold on to the the toy/treat and dead arm the dog. After much shaking and tugging, and hopefully not winning, puppy will give up. You control the treat. Once you get a sign of retreat like losing focus on the treat and attention on you or a sit then you can give it up.

Practice this. Don't get into challenges with the dog. Sounds like they're protecting the toy as if they own it. Challenging for property = aggressive/nervous behavior. Once you have the dead arm thing practiced and dog is more accustomed, gives up the item easily, then you can challenge him for treats/items they're currently working on. Typically you'll get a flight response if they've moved on from the teeth showing/growling. At this point you can once again renegotiate terms and begin freely removing items. Personal experience with aggressive and nervous dogs.