Resource guarding is not an uncommon problem, you can use the search button to hopefully find something to work with

 

I don't allow resource guarding or bossy behavior over old marrow bones and nylabones in my house. The bossy dog gets the toy taken away and time out in another room.

When playing, I have one toy for each dog and am consistent about who gets which toy and what order I throw them. My GSDs will fight if I'm only playing fetch with one toy. The older dog always goes first and the younger knows this so he stands and waits for me to throw his toy second. Older dog gets a ball, younger a frisbee. In the yard I have some Cuz toys and they each have their own favorite which is what I use to play fetch. It keeps them from fighting over the toys or chasing each other around. Making them compete when fetching a toy is a recipe for disaster in my house.

 

you make it sound so easy! "smiley face".

 

I like the idea of having two different toys and having them take turns. They both love playing fetch and would hate to take that away. Thanks!

 

I have a 9.5 year old female who I've had since she was a puppy. Last week, I brought home a 3 yr old male from a rescue. For the most part, they have been doing great - mostly ignoring each other (my female isn't really interested in playing with other dogs and he hasn't been pushy with her - he is super laid back).

I put away all the toys (she has a ton!) when we brought him home but have tried bringing a couple out but she does not want to allow him to play with any of the toys (including the new toys that are "his"). If he starts to play with a toy, she will come at him barking/growling and he drops it and she takes it away. But I'd like to be able to toss the ball for them in the house.

How do you deal with this? Other than taking all the toys away (which is what I have been doing)? Correct her? Let them work it out?

Let me break this down for you. And please correct me if I'm wrong. You have an older girl who for 9 years has been the queen, ruling the roost and soaking up the spoiling Now you want her to consent to 'sharing'. Why would she? What does she gain?
Instead of just bringing home new toys for him, bring them each one. Give the toys directly to them one at a time letting her go first. Let her chose the one she wants. Reward any concession on her part, sneak in extra treats when he is occupied. Let her know she's still your girl. If she refuses to bend timeouts may be needed but try to avoid making her feel like she is being tossed over for the new guy. Set aside a few private minutes for her, perhaps while he is out for a pee? Or napping?

 

Let me break this down for you. And please correct me if I'm wrong. You have an older girl who for 9 years has been the queen, ruling the roost and soaking up the spoiling Now you want her to consent to 'sharing'. Why would she? What does she gain?
Instead of just bringing home new toys for him, bring them each one. Give the toys directly to them one at a time letting her go first. Let her chose the one she wants. Reward any concession on her part, sneak in extra treats when he is occupied. Let her know she's still your girl. If she refuses to bend timeouts may be needed but try to avoid making her feel like she is being tossed over for the new guy. Set aside a few private minutes for her, perhaps while he is out for a pee? Or napping?

No you are exactly right. She has been our spoiled baby and is used to getting anything she wants. I have been making an effort to give her equal attention and some one on one outings though (even if it's just letting her come to the grocery store with me and wait in the car).

I suspect if I get them each a new toy - she will want his just because he has it. But sneaking in extra treats and rewarding her for being good to him is good. I can do that more.

 

do dogs actually understand "time out"?

 

Both of mine do. It's a consequence - they do a behaviour which I don't like and they're removed from the room. Time out's don't need to be sitting in a corner for 5 minutes facing the wall like a human. It can be making them leave the room for a moment to cool off, to removing them for 5-10 minutes and crating or blocking them somewhere else.

To mine, one of the worst punishments is a time out, they feel not only my disapproval but are removed from my presence entirely. Losing the treat or toy just adds to the punishment and they learn to smarten up pretty fast.

You can compromise and have specific toys for specific dogs. Both of mine have special toys which no other dog is allowed to touch, they are kept locked away and brought out during training or fun time.

 

How about no toys when both dogs are out? Play with the dogs seperately, giving queen bee her well-earned more time than the new guy gets. He's second fiddle now and he's second fiddle forever.

 

That's pretty much what we've been doing. It's hard because new boy is super cuddly and affectionate while old girl is more reserved, wanting to be in the same room but not in my lap (she's always been that way).

 

We've had a few scuffles at our house lately over toys too.

Carly, who believes EVERYTHING belongs to her, found an old toy somewhere out in the bushes, and has been carting it around for two days. I've been keeping an eye on her, but last night she and Russell were on the couch and he made a play for the toy. Dog fight on the couch. I yelled "knock it off" (they did) and grabbed the toy, and tossed it in the spare bedroom and slammed the door. Carly gave me the stink eye. You fight over a toy, the toy goes away.

If I leave toys out, they are usually just duplicates of each other, i.e. several Cuz balls, or several Kong Wubbas. Bones or antlers are only for crates.