Got all great answears about our puppy mill dog thought I'd ask one more...oliver is particularly aggressive about fuzzy sqeaky dog toys...he grabs them and runs away to hide them...does this mean anything to anyone or has anyone seen this particular behavior in puppymill dogs?Will he always do this does it ever change?
2007-02-27 05:11:25 · 9 answers · asked by Jennifer 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I should have specified he is guestimated to be 3-4years old and at first was more aggresive about the toys even bit my daughter but has calmed down to just ears back and guards these toys...
2007-02-27 05:41:07 · update #1
Resource guarding is a serious issue. It's good that you're asking this question now - because you are going to need some help. Pick up all of the loose toys around your house - you want to be in control of all of these. Then, work on playing the "object exchange" game with your dog -
1. be sure your dog is hungry
2. Have a lot of ready-to-go yummy treats with you (diced, boiled chicken or turkey, roast beef, salmon, liver - really, the stinkier the better!) Have these in a bowl so that you can grab a handful quickly when you train.
3. Have a toy on the ground. With your dog, I think just having the toy around will be enough - shaking it, or playing tug with your dog, may be too stimulating for Oliver. You really don't want to get bitten in this game.
4. When he looks at the toy, toss a treat at him. If he goes for the toy instead of the treat, get better treats.
5. The goal of session #1 should be that he will readily let go of the toy in exchange for a treat. Try to not talk to him. Just show him the treat and toss to him (esp if you think he might bite)
6. Don't work for too long. End your last rep with him letting go of the toy, and give him a big *Jackpot!* of a handful of treats.
You want the end result of this game to be:
Dog has toy - you say, "Give!" and the dog enthusiastically drops the toy (or better, puts in your hand!) and happily looks for the treat that he gets for doing this.
Remember that resource guarding, if allowed to continue, can take surprising forms, Dogs learn to guard used tissues, dirty socks, places (on the couch, etc) and people. Don't let this happen with your dog - work on this object exchange game every chance you get, and keep it happy and upbeat. Don't ever get into a battle of wills over any object - if he gets growly, end the game and leave the room.
Please get a trainer to help you. A pair of expert eyes will be of great help! Good luck.
2007-02-27 08:00:02 · answer #1 · answered by Misa M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be that the dogs were feeding off of rats or mice that crawled around in the puppymill and he associates the squeak as food that he has to gain posession of before another dog tries to take it away. I wouldn't recommend taking it away from him but rather get two toys and throw one in one direction and then withhold the other until he drops the first toy and then throw the second. It then becomes a game and he should enjoy plus it trains him to pay attention to you and make eye contact.
2007-02-27 05:38:52 · answer #2 · answered by al l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My herman isnt a puppymill dog, but he takes the rubber squeaky toys and hides them, like they are "special friends", nobody can touch them.
He also rips the eyes off of the stuffed toys.
I dont think it's a puppymill trait, I just think it's a puppy thing!
2007-02-27 05:14:28 · answer #3 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The aggressive behavior he is showing is not acceptable. Find a person to help you break this bad behavior. Your daughter may get seriously injured one day. He is NOT a puppy, at 3-4 yrs old, he is an adult dog. Check the Dog Whisperer website for suggestions on how to break this habit.
2007-02-27 09:39:51 · answer #4 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just a puppy thing that is not caused by being in a puppy mill,he just likes having something that is his and doesn't want anyone to take it away. I am glad you rescued a dog, I really wish more people would do the same.
2007-02-27 05:16:10 · answer #5 · answered by Urchin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No many dogs will do this. You do need to break him of it before you have larger problems.
A big problem with puppy mill rescues is housebreaking and being fearful. A puppymill rescue is a perfect candidate for Sam Malatesta whelping box theory. I believe if you were to use his methods all problems would be rectified and have a whole new dog.
http://www.whosthedog.com/ohio.html
2007-02-27 05:31:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
its just a puppy thing. their like little kids. they want to hide their things so others cant play with them. my terrier used to do the same thing. i would find his toys hidden all over my house.
2007-02-27 05:16:17 · answer #7 · answered by dynamite136 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
urm well they have big machines that could ewplain why he dislikes squek s
or he mite have been bullied there by other dogs and thinks that the toy is them
2007-02-27 05:23:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
he's just claiming them to be his. As long as he doesn't growl or show agression if you try to take it away, then it's fine.
2007-02-27 05:15:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋