Question on possesive snarkies?

shimaurashibalover92

If you saw the Katsu/Tetsu/Tikaani thread you know that Katsu was very agressive and possesive when Tikaani and Tetsu were inside. She was fine playing with them outside, but when they came in she turned into a total brat. It was definately based on territory (Katsu says "The house is MINE!), and possesions (Katsu says "Everything in the house is MINE"). The worst bit came when Tetsu hopped up on the couch, Katsu go sooooo pissed and totatlly bugged out. She's such a layed back pup every where else we were a little suprised that our "little angel" was such a nasty brat when it came to other dogs in the house.
Dawn and I definately want to train her to accept other dogs in the house. I'm worried that if we don't nip it in the bud now, this behaviour could end up happening outside. How long is it before she thinks she owns the world (Katsu says, "Everything on the Earth is MINE!) Also if we ever want to get another dog (wink, wink) I want her to not try to maul it because it had the audacity to look at her crate.
Beth had some good advice. She suggested bringing in a calm dog and giving Katsu a high value treat when the dog is here. When the dog leaves the treats stop. This way she learns other dogs+no snarkies=cheese. Does anybody else have any other suggestions or experience with this.

Calia

I also noticed, and I mentioned this at your place but figure repeat it here, but Katsu would give them a death stare the whole time and remain quiet. Then when Tikaani started sniffing at her crate, and poked his head in a little, Katsu started giving whining sounds as if to say, "why is he touching my stuff, don't let him touch my stuff".

I thought it was pretty cool that she held such high value to her crate, even though she was being snarky.

Don't worry you guys, your doing a great job with her, and I'm sure you'll get through this.

sunyata

I am assuming this is the first time you have had other dogs in your home since Katsu has been there? I am not sure if I can give much advice, since luckily my girls are not resource guarders (except with each other and with ridiculously high valued items). What I would suggest is having other dogs over more often. When you do have other dogs over, make sure you take up any toys, chews, food, or treats that could start an argument. I know you can not take the furniture away, but hopefully after a few visits Katsu will realize that other dogs are fun and not a threat to her crate or couch. :-P

Maybe someone else who has a bit more experience with resource guarding can chime in and give some better ideas.

lindsayt

I started putting Beebe in immediate time out in a dark room for a few minutes when she does this while we are in the office and a new dog comes in and she gives the unblinking death stare (how dare you come into my territory look), which quickly can escalate into growling and lunging.

At home she will glare at Ike, who happens to have anything she feels belongs to her and that she would want at that particular moment. She has a fit and it's obvious she is escalating, so I remove her from the room (what she wants). When she can act decent and learn to control herself a little better, she gets to join the rest of us and resume playing. It seems to be the best way I have found to defuse her anyway.

dlroberts

I think Lindsay's advice is perfect. That is exactly what I would have suggested. If/when Katsu gets snarky, immediately pick her up and put her in another room. She will learn to share her things very quickly with this approach.

StaticNfuzz

Ditto on Lindsay's advice. At this age puppies will test and if they are only pets they get their nose out of joint if the
newbies in the home take up coveted posts. For puppies (also guest canines) as a general rule we do not allow furniture sleeping etc until they are much older and settled. This avoids banking off and flying over at odd angles that may damage joints etc before growth plates have closed.

Snf