[domino1108]

My 1 year old puppy is very possessive with her bones and toys around other dogs. She has no problem with humans (adults or children) taking them from her, and doesn't react at all to that, but if there is another dog around that she is familiar with and it comes near her bone or we pick it up while they are near she will snap on them and try to fight them. I don't know what to do, because everything I read seems to be for if she gets possessive when I try to take them, and that isn't the problem. Please help! She lives with 2 other dogs, so it can be quite a problem!

[Cat1864]

What is her breed and does she show any other signs of being controlling or aggressive toward the other dogs?

Edit to add: Is this the same pup and has she gotten any better:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/p...og-339808.html

[domino1108]

She is part Chow, part German Shepherd (based on a dog DNA test, since I adopted her from the local shelter when she was 7 weeks old), about equal on each breed. She is perfectly fine with the other dogs any other time, and they all play together and she loves it. Its just when she has a bone or a toy. She will just keep them by her to protect them, and then if the other dog walks near her she will growl at them, and if we take it from her while they are near then she will snap at them and get into a fight. I don't know if this is relevant or not, but when she is with dogs she is unfamiliar with (at the dog park or pet store) she is completely timid and almost scared.

[domino1108]

What is her breed and does she show any other signs of being controlling or aggressive toward the other dogs?

edit to add: Is this the same pup and has she gotten any better:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/p...og-339808.html

Yes, that is the same dog. She has calmed down a great deal and no longer gets in fights with the terrier ever, except when it comes to the bones and toys situation.

[shazamataz]

You need to start taking her toys and food off her.
With this sort of behaviour they need to learn that it is OK for you and others to touch 'their' things.

Does she have a problem with you coming near or touching her food bowl?
If so you need to start holding her bowl while you feed her.
Once she is comfortable with you holding her bowl you can start placing your hand near the food... gradually progress to a point where you are touching the food in her bowl while she is eating.
Alternatively you could start hand feeding her small amounts of food.

When she growls if you come near her when she has a bone or toy you need to be firm. Get your angry voice on and tell her "no!" and take the bone away from her.
Give it a few minutes and you can give it back.

[domino1108]

You need to start taking her toys and food off her.
With this sort of behaviour they need to learn that it is ok for you and others to touch 'their' things.

Does she have a problem with you coming near or touching her food bowl?
If so you need to start holding her bowl while you feed her.
Once she is comfortable with you holding her bowl you can start placing your hand near the food... gradually progress to a point where you are touching the food in her bowl while she is eating.
Alternatively you could start hand feeding her small amounts of food.

When she growls if you come near her when she has a bone or toy you need to be firm. Get your angry voice on and tell her "no!" and take the bone away from her.
Give it a few minutes and you can give it back.

She has no problem with me taking her things. I can take her bowl while she is eating, take any of her toys and bones, and she doesn't care at all. But if there is another dog around she growls at them for coming near her stuff. She will go after the other dog if she thinks they are going to take her things or if I pick it up while she is already growling at them. I guess she thinks the other dog is taking it or getting it at that point. But she never growls or gets aggressive at all with me.

[shazamataz]

Ahh OK that is a different story then.
One of mine is like that, she will growl and steal any toys that my boy has or tries to take off her.
I'm lucky he is so good natured and just ignores her or backs away.

I haven't had to really correct that behaviour but if I did I would suggest maybe instigating a few tug of war games between your dogs.
Hold the middle of a toy and get them to grab each end, give them lots of praise for playing with each other and not growling. If one of them growls then the toy gets taken off them.

[Aurora_Bell]

Personally I don't think the tug of war game is the best, it seems to initiate aggressive behaviour, my opinion only... Praising them when they do not growl is like saying "I like it when you don't give many warning before you get upset" But again that is only my opinion. I would suggest behaviour modification, and the best way to get that started would be with a professional. Sounds like you have a few dogs interacting with each other. Remember they are all like people with different personalities. As your Chow matures, he may start showing more signs of aggression. His brain will not start to fully mature until he is 2 and the aggression may ony increase.
Also I find it important to praise the dog who is showing good behaviour, so when the chow is growling at the other dog, if the other dog isn't reciprocating them priase that dog, for NOT showing aggression.
It's hard to correct that type of behaviour. And when dogs are in unfamiliar surroundings they tend to be more docile as they are not in protect mode. Of course when they are in their territory, they become the protectors.
It might be a good idea to practice play time and bones in a local area.
THe more control you have on your dogs, the easier and happier their lives will be. Simple obiedience helps with this. Is the Chow neutered or Spayed?

[Aurora_Bell]

Oh and Shaz I had to sped the rep, but great advice on the food aggression. It seems to be a tried and tested method allover the world ;)
It definitely works!

[shazamataz]

Thanks :D You have a good point about the tug of war.
When I hold onto the middle of a toy it's the only time mine will actually play together, however I can see how it could become a problem. Didn't think that through very well :o

[Aurora_Bell]

Meh it happens :)

[domino1108]

Personally I don't think the tug of war game is the best, it seems to initiate aggressive behaviour, my opinion only... Praising them when they do not growl is like saying "I like it when you don't give many warning before you get upset" But again that is only my opinion. I would suggest behaviour modification, and the best way to get that started would be with a professional. Sounds like you have a few dogs interacting with each other. Remember they are all like people with different personalities. As your Chow matures, he may start showing more signs of aggression. His brain will not start to fully mature until he is 2 and the aggression may ony increase.
Also I find it important to praise the dog who is showing good behaviour, so when the chow is growling at the other dog, if the other dog isn't reciprocating them priase that dog, for NOT showing aggression.
It's hard to correct that type of behaviour. And when dogs are in unfamiliar surroundings they tend to be more docile as they are not in protect mode. Of course when they are in their territory, they become the protectors.
It might be a good idea to practice play time and bones in a local area.
THe more control you have on your dogs, the easier and happier their lives will be. Simple obiedience helps with this. Is the Chow neutered or Spayed?

Yes, she is spayed.