Puppy reaction to removal of contraband

[catbus]

C is four months now- still going through the nippy phase, but that's not what this is about!
There have been times recently where she has got pretty aggressive-
One of the younger DC's plate was left on a low table after he had finished eating- my fault, I didn't get to it before he wandered off.
C was in like a shot and after shouting 'leave', obviously to no avail, I put my finger in her collar and she went for me. Several times.
Same thing with DH when he attempted to clean up some sick that she was trying to eat.
I sort of see it's resource guarding but I am worried that next time it might be one of the kids trying to get their food back.
And it's certainly not hers to guard- she is very fast and starts to eat in a frenzy as soon as she hears someone..
I am fairly on the ball with all the stuff like bloody tiny toy pieces etc, but having 4 DCs I can't always guarantee I will see that abandoned plate in time!
She used to let me open her chops to retrieve contraband but tbh now I am too worried because she goes snarly and bitey.
Help please!

[SpicyPear]

It is resource guarding and she doesn't understand that it is not hers to guard. The best way to prevent resource guarding is to always always swap the thing you are removing for something better. So when during puppy months have something high value on you at all times, such as some cheddar cheese or stinky sausage pieces. When you give your leave command offer up the tasty morsel.

This is quite common as pups will often put up with stuff being removed but if they are never given a reward for relinquishing items it just becomes a bad thing to be told to leave rather than a good thing they are happy to do. Start now and you will be able to reverse it. Ideally see if you can get them away from the contraband with no physical grabbing of collar etc.

[catbus]

Thanks- I do- I mainly have something to swap it with but around other people's food it does nothing. She goes in a frenzy.
Working on her leaving/ dropping with the clicker atm, too.

[SpicyPear]

Hmm so two things to try. One would be making sure what you are offering is really really high value. See if you can find something she will leave the food for. And, if it is something like a plan, take the plate away then offer the exchange rather than handling her when she is in the frenzy.

[muttynutty]

I would never ever use the leave it command to get a dog to leave something if it is resource guarding you are just asking for trouble and the dog will hold on harder and ignore the command.

First thing to do is to try to prevent the dog getting things that it will not give up (easier said than done)

If the dog does get an item , ignore as much as you can ,so do not chase, shout or even approach the dog.

You need to have a toy that your dog loves - then just play with the toy with your back to the dog be amazingly animated high pitched and exciting. If your dog is not toy orientated then have a smelly treat and put it near your dogs nose, do not take away the other item, just let the dog smell the treat and continue to walk backwards so the dog follows you and leave the object.


Another thing to work on is a positive interrupter. I make a kissy noise and immediately treat my dogs. I will do this several ties every day and to start with when there is nothing else happening. They soon learn that the noise means good thing happen and will pretty much stop everything to come to you when they hear the noise. This is way more effective and rewarding to a dog than the dreaded leave it command

[daisydotandgertie]

Could be too simple, but are you feeding her enough?

It sounds a lot like she is hungry. When was she last wormed?

[WilliamShatner]

Thanks for the info on this thread. I have found it very useful.

[catbus]

Thanks Mutty- I do all of the above and don't chase etc- it works when she has say, a toy, in her chops- I can lure her off with a better exchange
I'm working with the clicker too, just by making the kissy noises and grabbing her attention.
But obviously it is different with the plate thing- no amount of luring or positive interrupting is budging her then! I'm hoping if I keep on practising the trade offs, it'll work, eventually- she's still so young.

Daisy- she's due a worm this week as it goes! She's not overly fussed about her food, but has so many stuffed longs etc.
But she has a penchant for cat shit and it's a constant battle to seek them out in the garden before she does

[catbus]

Stuffed kongs, that should read!