Toy Jealousy

[spoteet]

We are having a problem with Roxie and her wanting whatever toy Sajan has, even if she has one already. Everytime Sajan goes and gets a toy, Roxie walks up to him and he gives it to her or if we throw a ball for Sajan, she runs after it too and Sajan lets her have it. When she gets tired of the toy and lays it beside her, she will growl at Sajan if he tries to get it. Roxie can have 10 toys around her but she wants his. If he drops his ball and it rolls over near her, he won't get it, he'll just stand there and bark.

I keep telling Sajan not to let her have it like he does or if he drops it near her, I tell him to get it. We have been trying to get them to play tug together. If Roxie runs over and growls to get the toy or growls when he tries to pick up one near her, I get onto her. Am I doing the right thing? I have never dealt with toy jealousy before.

Thanks

[Judi W]

It is not toy related per se, but rather a bitch over-doing her bitchness and using the toys as a method of letting him know. In one respect, I'd say if he doesn't care, I don't see why you do. Occasionally (but not often) a male will feel strongly enough about something to fight back and you should see her respect that.

Instead of looking at it as a toy thing, I would consider that you look at it as her getting a bit too fancy for her pants and do general household management of letting her know she doesn't run things. Down stays, snapping on the lead and some boot camp heeling when you see her being too pushy, then another down stay and teach her fully what "knock it off" means.

[SABELLESMOM]

Are you worried they'll get into a for real scuffle? If everything is peaceful, I'd say let it go. If something was truly important to Sajan, he'd stand up for himself.

My bitch would often "put her apron" on and rule the roost over the males. She'd take things, examine dental work, and body parts. The boys would put up with her shennanigans and move on to something else.

Eventually they all learned to play together. The boys simply waited until she was tired of her games. Roxie is young and new to the home. She's extablishing her place as the #1 female.

So as long as things don't seem as though they'll escalate into something, let them work it out. In the house training may help keep her from feeling she's too big for her britches, though.

[Patty1231]

Same thing here between my two. I've had Rocco since he was 8 weeks and Perle just since December but she has certainly taken over her place as bitch. Rocco's more than willing to concede to her wishes and often they play together playing tug with one toy. They can both have the exact same chew bone but she always wants the one he has. She takes it, he goes and gets hers - all is well.

[spoteet]

Thanks everyone! I think it will help when Gerald actually starts working Roxie in obedience. She knows sit and down but I don't think she understands to stay that way until told otherwise. She's been here a couple of weeks and is quiet at home now, so time for some positive training.

Thanks again!

[Judi W]

Well, now I'm starting to feel sorry for Sajan. Establishing rank certainly does not need to wait for formal obedience classes to start. At this point she is still a "guest" and should behave more politely as such. By guest, I am not implying she is there temporarily, but rather that she is the newcomer and should be respectful to the householders. If she is acting so rude to the boy who was there first, she is not going to be more polite as she gains confidence in her surroundings. Go ahead and let her know you are displeased as you have been doing, and you can still snap on a leash to reinforce that.