bone possesiveness

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper has recently become possessive over bones and meaty chews such as a pork stick and beef trachea

she will growl at the cats (who are totally in charge of her) if they are anywhere near her treat. Even if Cooper isnt chewing it. Even though the cats really are not interested.

We often give Cooper a warning (I dont believe she would ever do anything to the cats - she wont even go through a doorway if one is sitting there) but if she growls a second time we take the treat away. She doesnt growl at us. We do not leave Cooper the cats and the treat in the same part of the house if we are going out to work etc, either they are all together, or they are shut in separate areas with their treats (Cooper will steal the cats treats (in a treat dispensing toy) otherwise, she is rather food motivated)

is there anything else we can do?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My daughter has a French Bulldog that has been around Fudge since they were puppies. They share back and forth any bone, bully stick, etc. and always have. When we got Vern, I naively expected the same and the first time I gave them all a bone outside, Bonzai (the French Bulldog) walked over to Vern and my sweet dog let him know he did not like it. I ended up taking all the bones away, but it seemed like Vern and Bonzai worked it out after this regarding toys, etc. Fudge and Vern also have a system and Fudge does not take anything away from Vern, but she easily tricks him by dropping something else in front of him and he falls for it every time.

We rescued a dog who had resource guarding and it was not fun. I have no doubt she would have bit anyone who tried to take her treat away. The others are right, let Cooper know that he cannot growl at you or the cats. If he growls, I would immediately take the treat away each and every time.

Meanwhile, Cooper looks very sweet with the kitty. My cat hates our dogs and won't come within 10 feet of them. Good luck!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Every time I give Quincy something he really likes, I give it and take it several times before I leave it with him. He has never growled over anything and I guess I believe an ounce of prevention is the way to go.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Update

 

last night, just before I headed to bed, I noticed Cooper stood staring intensely..... at the cat.... and her bone. Merry was rolling around next to the bone, nibbling on the bone, rubbing her head against the bone. Cooper just stood there, sadly watching. She even lay down waiting til the cat walked away. At one point they were nose to nose. Not one growl! After the cat left, Cooper wasnt too interested in the bone. 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's really cute!

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

 

Just remember to always give a treat as you take the chew away. This will help the dog associate you approaching their chew with something good. If you only ever come over and take the chew away (and keep it) the clever dood will quickly learn that your approach is a bad thing - and may start to growl at you.