April 12, 2011
My 13 month old dog challenged me by not giving up his bone. I picked him up by the pinch collar & held him off the ground til he dropped it. Was this the best way to handle it?
Full Question:
Cindy,I think I done been challenged by my GSD pup.
Dog--13 month old German working line GSD, intact male. Generally good natured and obedient when not distracted.
Situation--I gave Otis a meat bone, which I do often. This time, he marched off with it and took it out of the room with purpose. He covered it with his paws when I went to check on him and growled seriously when I tried to take it away, then picked it up in his mouth and growled again when I told him "aus" and tried to take it. Usually, he just gives it up.
He was wearing his pinch collar, so I picked him up by the collar and walked him back into the kitchen with his bone and held him off the ground until he dropped the bone. I then picked it up.
So far, I've only had to do this once--I gave him the bone back later and have been able to get back without problem since. Was this a good way to handle this?
Helen
Cindy's Answer:
A couple things, if I give one of my dogs a bone then I give it to them in a crate & I do NOT bother them or try to take it away OR I keep them on a leash with a dominant dog collar. I wouldn't allow this dog to have a bone and be loose in the house. Picking the dog up by the prong could backfire on you because if the dog was feeling like he really needed to guard the bone, using the prong could actually stimulate more aggression.
Personally, once I give a bone it's the dog's. Pack leaders don't mess with food or bones once they give it. I take the dog away from the bone, not the other way around.
If I want to get the bone, I pick up the dog's leash and say "Come On, Let's go!" and lead him away. If he carries the bone, I just say Out and then we continue along. I don't reach under a dog to take a bone unless I am ready to control him with a leash and collar.
Now that I've said that, I can take a bone from any of my dogs because over the years they realize I'm fair and not going to battle them for things but there have been dogs in the past that I acquired as adults that I never would test. :) I use my larger brain and thumbs to outsmart them and avoid a fight that could ruin the relationship of trust I hope to have. I'd rather never have to go to war over something like that.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Rhodes
Personally, once I give a bone it's the dog's. Pack leaders don't mess with food or bones once they give it. I take the dog away from the bone, not the other way around.
If I want to get the bone, I pick up the dog's leash and say "Come On, Let's go!" and lead him away. If he carries the bone, I just say Out and then we continue along. I don't reach under a dog to take a bone unless I am ready to control him with a leash and collar.
Now that I've said that, I can take a bone from any of my dogs because over the years they realize I'm fair and not going to battle them for things but there have been dogs in the past that I acquired as adults that I never would test. :) I use my larger brain and thumbs to outsmart them and avoid a fight that could ruin the relationship of trust I hope to have. I'd rather never have to go to war over something like that.
I hope this helps.
Cindy Rhodes
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