growling & not giving things she should'nt have

[2rotties4me]

Hi, i am Melani, Sable's & Bodhi's mom
Sable growls when you try to take something from her that she is not suppose to have ie. used paper towels.
She does not do this with toys, bones or anything she knows she can have. When she does this I correct her and get the item although somethimes it is guite a task. I have also offered a treat as a replacement which works really well, but I am not sure if this is giving her the wrong message. thanks for all who respond I learn something new everyday from all who post and reply.

Melani ,mom to
Sable 15 mo.
Bodhi 4mo.

[Rott-Wiley]

If the exchange for a treat is working for you, I would continue using that. The fact that she does growl isn't good at all and I would consider trying to work on that because that is not likely to improve as time goes on. Usually agression begets agression so you're going to have to play this as it goes. Do you have good voice control over her? Does she shame easy? How is she getting these paper towels to begin with? If you can remove the temtation that may just solve the whole problem?

[Miabella]

I try to use these times as a teaching opportunity rather than getting adversarial. Using a trade at this point is a good way to go with something she shouldn't have, I would call her to you and ask her to show you the neat thing she has. She is likely quite proud of herself and will be eager to show you, especially if she knows you have a treat and make a big deal out of how good she is to bring it to you.

Then, you need to start teaching a release command with objects that she is allowed to have. Make it a big game, starting with low value objects and working your way up. At first you should immediately give her back the object she gives up as a reward. Be sure to be very generous with your praise, she will think that outing an object is the most fun game in the world. You can then move to a delayed reward, like running to the kitchen for a treat.

This system has worked beautifully for us. For example, Ilsa spit out half a ham sandwich somebody had left on the sidewalk and I didn't see. That was worth all the treats in my pocket plus a little impromptu tug game on the sidewalk.

[RottieGirl86]

Swapping has worked for me. I have been using this technique since Athena was a puppy. Now, when she has something she knows she should not ( like other day she found a golf ball in the garage) she drops it when I use my big-BOOM voice now. But, this was over the course of a year and our interaction together.

Put dog on NILF and make sure you are 'TOP DOG', I would not accept a growl. Grumbles- yes ( dog play behavior, look to other body language indicators like pose, etc. ) , growls - no.

Be careful of negative reinforcement too. Chase a dog for an item, wow - great game for the dog! This will impair your ability to call back a dog - they like to be chased!

Out think them, the kitchen is your friend. Open a closet, make noise with food package, make yummie noises, dog will investigate - make dog come to you ( not begging in this instance, that's not tolerated by me.) then, get dog treat or toy and do swap out.

This breed is smart! My girl keeps me on my toes! Not 'boring' like other dogs I've owned in the past!

Also, I'd remove the paper towels from the area so dog cannot get it. Since getting my male rott a few months back, Athena has taken to eatting cardboard , etc. rather than leave it on floor, to prevent other dog from getting it. So, no more toilet rolls after they're empty

Best of luck! :)

[Artos]

I have always praised my dog for whatever he finds. this had led to that he always come to me and want to show his things. He is very proud of himself for finding things and if it's something that i can let him keep i give him a treat and then i give back the thing. if it's not something that i want him to keep i give him the treat anyway and then i give him a toy or something. This has worked for me. I don't want to start a chasing game with him and i don't want to take the thing out of his mouth. It's better that he wants to give it up by himself.