Gets mad when i take his rawhide

[Ruckus]

Last night i was just petting Ruckus while he was chewing a rawhide. He didn't mind at all. Then I went to take the toy and he got mad and tried to bite then he ran away with it. What should I do to help him understand that I can take it when I want and he should not be defensive about it. He is 7 months old now, and with toys he doesn't do this, probably because they are not as valuable to him.

[SWEETBREW]

do a search on possesion aggresion, and there will be tips on how to manage this problem. Like trading up for things of higher value.

[rsaarinen]

Chopper has the same problem with raw bones and pig ears. I've heard many different opinions about how to handle it so here they are. Listed are the ones I agree with

1. Never take it from him teach him to give it up. Even in a pack an Alpha wouldn't take the bone he would ask for it. You can do this many different ways. Trading up is one ( I don't like this idea too much). or work with other not so special toys then work your way up.

2. Haven't tried this yet but I like it. Get a whole bunch of rawhibe, pig ears ect.. Have so many of them around you that one isn't so special and have him trade you for another and another. Pretty soon i'm told that he will think there not so special and back off.

What I have been doing in giving him the bone and start slowly petting him and working my way towards his face. He learns that i'm not going to take it from him I just want to pet him. I"m doing this casue I have a neice that is little and want him to be tolerant. But always by the end I am able to take it from him. Small progress but it's something!

[SWEETBREW]

why don't you like the trade idea???
I think that it is better than getting my hands near the face of a possesive rottweiler...
In time doing the trade way, your dog will learn that giving you something is no big deal, because you will usually get something even better!!!
I have heard of alot of rotties having this affliction, so I feel it is best to manage it early and effectively.

[gnwhite]

sweetbrew, again! you are so........right. teaching trade i think is good. also it teaches them if, they give it up they will get something better back. i'm teaching sampson the out word. as soon as he lets go, i give it back . i also do this with his toys. which by the way, help to plant the seed. from day one at 8 weeks olds, we started this to help prevent food aggresion.


now at almost 13 weeks still no food aggression. he has no problem with me putting my hands in his bowl, which is to add something. every day i pick up his bowl while he is eating and then say good boy! and right away i give it back. anyways.........it seems to be working out fine. hope this tip helps. good luck




norma

[SWEETBREW]

Everyone has their own opinions about what works for them, I just wanted clarification about why rsaarien didn't like that method.

[gnwhite]

that's very true! different methods work for different dogs and owners as well.

[MonteRiehl]

good thread, good topic, but we have been here lots.

Here is one I used the Search button up there at the top of the page to find.
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/beh...igh+value+item

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Originally Posted by gnwhite

sweetbrew, again! you are so........right. teaching trade i think is good. also it teaches them if, they give it up they will get something better back. i'm teaching sampson the out word. as soon as he lets go, i give it back . i also do this with his toys. which by the way, help to plant the seed. from day one at 8 weeks olds, we started this to help prevent food aggresion.


now at almost 13 weeks still no food aggression. he has no problem with me putting my hands in his bowl, which is to add something. every day i pick up his bowl while he is eating and then say good boy! and right away i give it back. anyways.........it seems to be working out fine. hope this tip helps. good luck




norma

He's only 13 weeks though. YOu're onto a good start BUT wait until he's a "teen". Oscar was awesome with no food aggression etc and it was going just fine. NOw that he's 8 months old, it's a whole different ball game. He could care less about his food but give him a raw bone...totally protective/possessive. IF he growls when we walk by or come near him we force him to give it up and take it away for a period of time. He then gets it back. He gets it pretty quick that growl = no bone.

So make sure you keep on it because 13 weeks old is nothing.

[SWEETBREW]

also, I wouldn't condone putting your hands in your dogs food bowl when he is eating. Just leave him alone, this should be HIS time. IMHO

[rencook]

Originally Posted by SWEETBREW

also, I wouldn't condone putting your hands in your dogs food bowl when he is eating. Just leave him alone, this should be HIS time. IMHO

I could not disagree more-my dog is eating food that I purchased, in a bowl I own and I will stick my face, hands anything into her bowl while she is eating and she will not only accept, but enjoy it. How can you expalin this concept of "leaving him alone" to a curious two-year old child!!
Once again, in my opinion-all dogs-not just Rotts-need to know that anything they have has to be given up-and on command, with no protest.
As a dog trainer-I've seen more times than I can count of dog possesiveness, and it does not get better on its own-it only gets worse.
The way I tell my puppy owners is that from day 1 when you bring the pup home-everything the pup has is theirs, and they are just letting the puppy play with it.
By "leaving him alone", you are engouraging possesiveness/aggression. My girl is 3 1/2 years old-and every time she is eating, I will pet her, stick my hands in her food bowl-and what does she do?? Wags her nub!!

[Bucky's Mom]

Last time Bucky (the moosh dog) got a Pig Ear was when he growled at me for trying to take it away when I was afraid it got too small for him to keep.

He was 8 months old - that was over 5 years ago.

So far he hasn't need therapy for being denied pig ears.

If it is that desirable to him to growl at me for it - he will NEVER see it again

[SWEETBREW]

If you are worrying about a 2 year old bugging your dog when he eats have him eat in his crate, or teach everyone to not bother the dog when he/she is eating.
This has been discussed in another thread, you can find it here:
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/beh...=hands+in+bowl

[rencook]

I'm not worried about anyone bugging my dog, but if, by chance, this should happen, I want my dog to be fine with anyone coming near her food. Like I said, this is my opinion, and I'm happy with it.

[debbiej]

It is generally accepted that messing with a dog's food bowl makes him MORE possessive, not less. and with good reason. there are much better ways to accomplish this.