Opinion on this guarding VIDEO!

[Jess & Stewart]

Stew has been really great. No major issues or guarding issues. He basically just snoozes on my bed all day. Doesn't try to get into any closets or my bathroom. Hasn't barked or scratched at the front door in about 2 weeks. 

But he's starting to guard again. This has happened almost every night for the past week & the past 3 mornings, he'll jump on the bed after I've gotten out and won't follow me out to the living room.When I come home. Stew greets me at the door. I used to just walk in no problem. Now I walk in and he bolts back to my bedroom, growling, jumps on my bed and lays down. My covers are usually pulled down and the pillows are scattered on the bed. It takes me at least 20 minutes and copious amounts of treats before he jumps down, then more to get him to walk out of the room enough that I can close the door. 

We're still working with the trainer, that's going good. Stew's earned some Nylabone time each night with me and lets me take it away. 

Any quick & dirty advice in the meantime before the next training session on Monday? 

[Jess & Stewart]

I've started blocking the bedroom door with the crate when I'm gone during the day. Today was day 2. We ended up taking a 3 hour walk tonight. Went into a pet store. Got treats, played our fetch, then ran into two puppies & they played & played. I exchanged numbers & hopefully we'll keep meeting up. One of the owners wants to get the long leash I have & I hope she does because they'll really be able to romp around & play. So he's exhausted. I'm hoping he won't whine tonight when I shut my bedroom door.

It's funny because I think I posted a discussion previously where Stew would sleep in the living room & not come into the bedroom at night. And I was worried he'd look at the entire apartment as his territory. Oh I wish I could go back to those days where he wouldn't want to be in my bedroom LOL.

The comforter idea is a great one. I will definitely try it. I have an appt with my trainer tomorrow rather than Monday. I'll see how tomorrow morning goes. The leash by the door worked perfectly, put it on him right away once he sat for me. That can definitely work to get him away from the bedroom if I start giving him access again.

I also have a citronella collar, used it a bit & it didn't really deter his barking when left alone. But that has since stopped & he barely makes any noise while I'm gone.

[Jess & Stewart]

Tonight Stew only made it to two off's before he laid down on my bed. He did 4 ups & off's on my blowup mattress serving as my couch for now. Grabbing the comforter didn't work. He was too close to the edge & too heavy for me to lift the comforter. He growled & snapped. I obviously didn't get a video. Said off, stood there then walked away. He jumped off, I said yes stew! good boy stew! & threw him a treat. Then said ok, out Stew. To get him out of the room. He jumped back on the bed & did the same thing. Jumped off again & I was able to lure him past the door enough to reach in & close it (the doors swing into the room, not out. A real bummer when there's a guarding doc between you & the doorknob.

Going to bed in a bit. Not letting Stew in the bedroom. He'll survive.

[Sue]

He will survive like you said....You are the Boss and he will soon realize and appreciate that he does not have to be the leader....:0 hoping for the best for tomorrow with the trainer....Keep us posted....

[Jess & Stewart]

He survived, lol. Only heard him whine a bit when I woke up this morning. He could have whined more but I was so tired, I fell asleep right away & didn't wake up during the night, which is unusual for me. Now we're off for more play time!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I've read through the comments, and once again you've gotten very good advice. The basic problem from what I've read is that you're scared of Stew and he knows it.  You're trying to negotiate with him and find all sorts of ways around that simple fact but that will not work.  The basic problem is that when Stew growls and snaps, he gets his way.  He may just be playing but the more he senses he can control you, the more likely your good dog will end up a biter. Personally, I would put a leash on him when you're home and with him.  I would not let him on any of the furniture until you get this under control. Then you can start to invite him up.  From what you've said, Stew didn't get off the bed because he was doing what you wanted him to do. He growled and snapped and in dog language you said ok by walking away (submission on your part) and once he got his way he decided to follow you on his own terms, and you gave him a treat for that. I hope your trainer can help you. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

All I can say if this is the growling and guarding we keep hearing about I think I have solved your problem. Stew is playing. He is wagging his tail and wants to play. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I agree, Laurie.  So when he does this and you want him off the bed, etc. give him one confident firm command (no screaming) and then move him.  Because he plays keep away, a leash will help. I think you'll be surprised at how quickly this smart little guy learns.   

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

I agree, you've gotten very good advice again, and I also agree that Stew is playing in this video - not guarding.  Jess, this is GOOD NEWS and I hope it's given you some relief!  This information should go a long way to get you comfortable interacting with Stew, and I hope just a shift in perspective will make a difference.  I agree wholeheartedly with Karen, Cheryl and others - you absolutely cannot be afraid of your dog.  At all.  Ever.  He knows it and he's acting accordingly.

Take "Stew" off the list of issues to address with the trainer.  In today's session, I actually think it would be most productive to request that he teach you how to approach Stew with confidence.  That's going to include getting your hands/arms in there and seeing that you're not going to get bitten by this dog.  (But yes, he could become a biter if you don't stop letting him control you.  You can't be even slightly tentative around him, and that's got to come from within.) 

Figuring out more ways to entice or lure him with treats is counterproductive.  Finding more new strategies to maneuver around your OWN apartment to make living with Stew manageable simply continues to reinforce to Stew that he's the boss.  The dog is outsmarting everyone at every turn, because the issue isn't that he has "issues" - it's that he's allowed to be the boss.  Think of every "solution" as a puzzle that he's figuring out; whenever you try a new strategy with him, he's just thinking, "a new game for me to win!"  The only thing he really needs is for you to take charge - he'll figure out very quickly there's a new sheriff in town once YOU have the mindset that you are his leader and you don't allow him to control your behaviors.

Stew looks like a sweet, happy guy who brings you a lot of joy.  But he completely senses your fear when you're in the mode of "he might bite me" - and he totally uses that to his advantage.  I hope the training session goes well today.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This is such great advice. "Take Stew off the list of issues to address with the trainer...I think it would be most productive to request that he teach you how to approach Stew with confidence."

[Adina P]

YES! 
When I was actively training Boca (and even with Rosco) I used a trainer in another state.  So I would video tape sessions with my dog and complain about this or that that the dog is doing.  Once I even met with the trainer in person for a weekend session.  It was pretty much or rarely ever THE DOG doing something wrong and it was always ME.  My attitude, my attentiveness, my timing, my confidence.  I had to improve my implementation of the techniques.  The trainer should be pointing out ways YOU can do better.  Because repeating the same thing 100 times in an ineffective manner won't get you far.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Well said, Julie and right on point from beginning to end. Every trainer should start with teaching confidence, consistency, and calm to the human first. "You can't be even slightly tentative around him and that has to come from within." 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Perfectly said....I agree wholeheartedly!