Quote: Anne Jones

I wasn't suggesting that the pork necks be given without muscle meat. Only that they tend to be more binding then most other bones given in similar quantities. My dogs get muscle meats & bone at every meal(in addition to numerous other things)

That's why I posted back about the neck bones. They are really bony so I give her other muscle meat. I like them for variety.

And to the pig ears, I give mine the real pig ears. I can sometimes find ears, tails and feet that have not been smoked or anything.

I give these more for recreation. Where she is so small, I have to closely monitor what she eats.

no, there is no resource-guarding at all. I no longer give him the pig ears. It's just that I see quincey now as a dog as where before I saw him as a cute sweet thing that wont hurt anything or growl. It is just the way I feel now. It is now in my mind "now is he going to growl?" He shows no sign that he were to growl at anything. He has no reason to. So, what do I do? How do I change the way I think about "is he going to growl?" thought. It just scared me.

 Quote: jennifer schnegg

no, there is no resource-guarding at all. I no longer give him the pig ears. It's just that I see quincey now as a dog as where before I saw him as a cute sweet thing that wont hurt anything or growl. It is just the way I feel now. It is now in my mind "now is he going to growl?" He shows no sign that he were to growl at anything. He has no reason to. So, what do I do? How do I change the way I think about "is he going to growl?" thought. It just scared me.

What scared you? I got lost here and didn't go back to read all the thread pages. He growled at something?

Yes, I had given Quincey a smoked pig ear once, and wanted to pick it up in the evening so not to step on it. He was still chewing at it at the time I wanted to pick it up. He then growled at me. I then was afraid he may bite me, he showed no signs he would or start to growl at what ever I need to pick up off the floor. He has not done it since and doesnt have a reason to. Apparently he concidered the pig ear a high value treat. That is what scared me, his growling.

Well, at least he growled first as a warning. It's dogs that bite without warning that would scare me.

Growling = resource guarding.

But I don't think it should change the way you feel about your dog--any more than if he barked at the mailman or peed on the rug. Without instructions to the contrary, those are all the dog's natural reactions to human situations. Resource guarding is just something new to work on. It's up to you to teach him how to appropriately respond when you want to take something from him--and you should (must) be able to take anything.

This is important. Because someday you may have to take something from him that's really dangerous (a bottle of your prescription meds). Or really high value to you (a leather glove).

The trick to teaching this behavior is trading for something of higher value until he understands that it's always in his best interest to give up the thing you ask for.

I'm of the belief that your dog will pretty much behave the way you imagine he will. If you think he's going to growl at you, he probably will. My dogs wouldn't growl at me because it's not something that any of us considers an option.

Yes you are right. It is a new thing to work on Quincey, as well as my self.

 Quote: Tracy Collins

Well, at least he growled first as a warning. It's dogs that bite without warning that would scare me.

Growling = resource guarding.

But I don't think it should change the way you feel about your dog--any more than if he barked at the mailman or peed on the rug. Without instructions to the contrary, those are all the dog's natural reactions to human situations. Resource guarding is just something new to work on. It's up to you to teach him how to appropriately respond when you want to take something from him--and you should (must) be able to take anything.

This is important. Because someday you may have to take something from him that's really dangerous (a bottle of your prescription meds). Or really high value to you (a leather glove).

The trick to teaching this behavior is trading for something of higher value until he understands that it's always in his best interest to give up the thing you ask for.

I'm of the belief that your dog will pretty much behave the way you imagine he will. If you think he's going to growl at you, he probably will. My dogs wouldn't growl at me because it's not something that any of us considers an option.

Being afraid of the dog isn't an option.


While you work on food trades (trading up) and pack structure, I'd avoid any situation where you are even maybe going to jump back or gasp or something.

That is, I'd give a chewy in the crate for now, for example.

I'd practice in the mirror standing up straight and projecting. I agree with Tracy.

There is so much I must teach Quincey, it is overwhelming sometimes. My last dog was easy, she had no major behavior problems, or issues that needed to be addressed.Would you first work on trading up, and "drop it", "leave it", before even trying to feed barf?

This too is counterproductive. It's not overwhelming if you approach it calmly and one step at a time.

This isn't major either. Just needs some groundwork and alertness.

I'd work on trading up and I'd feed the dog and then leave the dog alone to eat. No kids around? Do you feed in the crate?

P.S. Working on this stuff actually enhances your bond with the dog, BTW. It also makes you a far better handler for all future dogs.