My pup just found an overlooked piece of rawhide (from when I didn't know any better) and was working away at it. I went to take it away from her and got some major snarling w/ teeth bared. I pinned her down by the nape of her neck and she continued to growl loudly and bare teeth, with the rawhide in her mouth. I was not fast enough (and truth be told I wasn't too keen to reach my hand in her mouth at that point) and she gulped the rawhide. After she gulped it, she stopped growling and did some air licking at me, and I let her up.
I have always been able to take chew treats from her in the past and she's not food aggressive, but i don't mess w/ her food either.
So, should I worry about this 1 incident or not? Next time I'll be smarter and trade her for something...unless there's a better way to handle it...

and hopefully this won't mean an emergency trip to the vet tomorrow.

Anyone have any suggestions on how I could have handled this better?
PS She had a normal(larger than normal) bm this morning, so I think she's passed it...

Lynne,

I had a similar issue with my dog over his first marrow bone. I gave it to him outside and he proceeded to bury it and later when he dug it up to chew it was caked with dirt. I didn’t want him to ingest all that dirt so I reached down to take the bone so I could wash it off and my sweet little Buddy did the same thing as your dog. Surprised me, I didn’t think he had it in him. Anyway, I stood up and gave him a firm “drop it” command and then called him away from the bone. About three feet away, I put him in a down-stay and then I was able to get the bone to wash it off and then gave it back to him.

I don’t blame you for not wanting to put you hand in his mouth, but chances are you may not have a treat handy should you see that he has found something else you don’t want him to have. I would start training both the “drop-it and leave-it” commands, they really do come in handy for situations like that. JMO

Good Luck,

 Quote: lynne barrows

Anyone have any suggestions on how I could have handled this better?
PS She had a normal(larger than normal) bm this morning, so I think she's passed it...

I PM'd Cindy to ask before posting and got permission to answer you on this.

In a situation like this, with a dog that will not give something up, and does not know the "leave it" or "drop it" command or chooses to ignore the command, here is what you can do AND what WILL work:

Use the flat collar and lift up and forward (you want your hand on the top of the dogs neck/head area, not to the side), lifting the dogs front legs off of the ground a bit. Do this slow and easy and do not jerk the dog around. Make sure the collar is fitted properly on the dog, as you want the collar up close behind the ears when you do this.

The dog may squirm a bit, but do not panic, fight them or get upset, just stay with them and be calm. DO NOT talk to the dog. This does not hurt the dog, but it does let them know that the behavior was unacceptable.

This will cut off air to the dog and they HAVE to spit the item.
Once they spit the item, make sure to keep hold of the dog and kick the toy out of the way after you set them back down, otherwise they will probably try and dive for the toy again.

Once you put the dog down and let go of them, walk off and do something else with the dog that is acceptable behavior.

I would also start working on a "out" "drop it" or "leave it" command like Peggy stated.

Carol, thanks. That is definately one to file away in the 'tool box'. I feel like I am lucky that I was not bitten. (but I was damn sure not going to back down either!)

She does know 'drop it' and in all fairness to her, I did not give her a command; I just reached down with the intent of taking the rawhide from her.

That being said, I doubt that she would have dropped it on command. She will readily drop things that are of low value to her, but I generally have to show her a treat to get her to drop something of higher value.

I'll be starting on the 'Basic Obedience' video next; I think this will help me w/ some of the issues I am having w/ her now. Since she hit 6 months her prey drive (toy drive) has increased and I can see that her dominance is asserting itself as well. And I'm not even into adolescence yet!

You gave no command??

BTW, I would also order the new Pack Structure video. ;-) And, for that matter, the Dominant and Aggressive Dog video.

You cannot be over-prepared with a dog who is showing the kind of tendencies you describe.

Those are numbers 301 and 308D.

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

She does know 'drop it' and in all fairness to her, I did not give her a command; I just reached down with the intent of taking the rawhide from her.

That being said, I doubt that she would have dropped it on command. She will readily drop things that are of low value to her, but I generally have to show her a treat to get her to drop something of higher value.

Please know that before I would use the method I describe you need to give the command to give the dog a chance to obey.

I just assumed she either did not know it or you tried it and it did not work.

Why did you not give the command or offer a treat?

Carol, I would have to say it was my lack of experience...

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

BTW, I would also order the new Pack Structure video. ;-) And, for that matter, the Dominant and Aggressive Dog video.

I have just finished watching the 'Pack structure w/ the Family Pet' Great info...
Basic Obedience is next on the queue (I have it)
I will be ordering Dominant and Aggressive Dogs as soon as finances allow...

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

Carol, I would have to say it was my lack of experience...

Ahhh, I have been there.....it is a hindsight thing....