My terrier is possessive and will destroy toys. He will not release his ball for food, I have to trick him into releasing by showing him an identical toy. Is there a video that addresses this?

I'm hoping you can direct me to one of your courses to help me out. I have watched your basic and intermediate obedience videos and Relationship Games 1 plus parts of some others. My 15-month-old Parson Russell terrier is doing very well with all the food exercises. He is very good at "leave it / yuck" until he gets hold of a ball or frisbee or tug. I would love to eventually have him reliably retrieving, but while he will sprint after anything I throw, his next instinct is to destroy it. He wants to chew it to bits—or have me chase him for a game. He will not release a favorite ball for food. I can trick him into releasing by showing him an identical toy. Can you think of a video or article that addresses this? Thanks in advance. (And your videos are terrific.)

Leerburg's Answer

I see that you have purchased Power of Playing Tug, there is an extensive section on the out and that is the course I would suggest. I would not throw any toys for him right now and work on teaching the out as a behavior that means "the game will continue" Do not use a ball right now because it's only going to reinforce his possessiveness.

Once you have a good out with a tug, then I'd suggest Advanced Concepts in Motivation. It covers adding the ball (but only on a string so you can control the ball) I have an extremely possessive German Shepherd and until I worked through this with him I did not throw toys and especially not his favorites (a ball) Keep in mind, when you throw toys for possessive dogs their reward is the item and not the interaction with you. You don't want him to have any more rehearsals of possession and you definitely don't want to trick him because that in itself will create more possessiveness.