Resource guarding?

[Mvennetti]

Hey guys, I have a 6 month old shepherd and a 2 year old min pin(quite the combo).my shepherd is getting into that stage of not wanting to share toys. Anytime the toys are out, he grabs them all, and when my 7lb min pin comes near to play, the shepherd snarls and barks. Any suggestions on how to get him to share? He is fine with me and my wife touching and taking away his toys.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

That is quite a combo!

I like this article from Pat Miller: How to React When Your Dog Begins Resource Guarding Against Other Dogs - Whole Dog Journal Article

And it is an annoying thing that is made worse (or serious) by the size difference. I have different sized dogs but not less than 30# and no bigger than 66# but still, when it is big and small, I often choose to do the management thing. It seems like young dogs do get that grabby, terrible 2's mine thing! I am sure more people will come along but I really like that article.

[Mvennetti]

Great article!

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Mvennetti

Hey guys, I have a 6 month old shepherd and a 2 year old min pin(quite the combo).my shepherd is getting into that stage of not wanting to share toys. Anytime the toys are out, he grabs them all, and when my 7lb min pin comes near to play, the shepherd snarls and barks. Any suggestions on how to get him to share? He is fine with me and my wife touching and taking away his toys.

I have two dogs that want all the toys. My golden was used to everything being his, then along came the GSD When she was smaller he let her take the toys a little easier, now he lays on them a lot. The golden has growled a couple times, but as soon as I say something he stops and puts his head down like he's ashamed. The golden can take the toys away from the GSD with no problem, if she wants them back she does a couple different things...either she comes to me and tells on him..this usually consists of her nosing me, looking his way, and talking to me. If that doesn't work, she cries over him, then paws his head or tries pawing the toy. This usually doesn't work, so she grabs him by his tail and gets him in play mode, which usually gets him away from the toy. Once he gets in full play mode, she leaves him, grabs the toy and goes in the other room and he is still trying to figure out what she did. It comes down to the temperament of the dogs and the management of the one who is more of the problem. I would correct the one that is doing the growling, its much easier then trying to train one not to grab the toys.

[Mvennetti]

Do you think stepping in and takin the toys away for a few minutes when he growls is a good thing?

[KatsMuse]

I have 2 dogs and 2 of everything - same toys, beds, etc.

Growling at each other over a toy (or anything else) is not permitted in my house.

You either play nice or it gets taken away altogether.

MY house, MY rules...works for us.

Kat

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Mvennetti

Do you think stepping in and takin the toys away for a few minutes when he growls is a good thing?

Yes. He has to learn that if he growls its not good. I would also tell him no, but not just no, I would say no growling. Wait a few minutes then give the toy back, take it away again if he growls. He will learn that if he growls he loses the toy. Do the dogs play together with any toys, like tug or anything??

[Marc]

take the toys from the GSD and give them to the other dog, when the GSD tries to take them, correct him with "AHH AHH" and if necessary keep taking the toys away, when he offers behaviour that is acceptible, treat and praise, eventually allowing them both to play with the toys.

Just my 2 cents.

[Mvennetti]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Yes. He has to learn that if he growls its not good. I would also tell him no, but not just no, I would say no growling. Wait a few minutes then give the toy back, take it away again if he growls. He will learn that if he growls he loses the toy. Do the dogs play together with any toys, like tug or anything??

Yes, they do have some toys that they play with together. It just seems to be the deer antler and the nylabone that he growls about. It's quite funy watching a 7 lb min pin drag around a 65 lb 6 month shepherd. They are very gentle with each other 99% of the time.