Resource guarding out of control

[Margaret Rauwald]

Hi,

After reading some of the comments on resource guarding, thought I'd join and post mine as I think it goes deeper.  Our adorable golden doodle, Mollie started resource guarding at about 6 mo. and is now 17 mo.  I have a wonderful trainer who Mollie has done puppy, advanced and agility training and did quite well. She recommended the book' MINE'. I do the trading exercise all the time and let her know I'm the boss and shouldn't growl or nip; however I'm not even sure anything will help at this point as it's gotten way out of control. She growls and nips any time I try to take away something/ anything she shouldn't have even with a good trade.  this has expanded to anything she doesn't like me doing such as trying to keep a cronic ear infection clean and dry or trimming her nails. She has bitten me badly once where I almost needed stiches and I currently have bandaged hand because I tried taking away a pencil she was eating.  Otherwise, she is very sweet and loves to be with any of us in the family as well as any one she meets.  She gets along well with all other dogs and loves to play!  Everyone loves her at 3 different doggie day camps she sometimes goes to for play or overnight stays. The groomer even loves her and hasn't had a problem.  Prior to Mollie we had a wonderful Bouvier, named Comet who was so much easier even as a puppy and we never had problems with her.  

I'm wondering if we may have not have gotten the best puppy from the breeder?  After extensive research I felt I had found a wonderful breeder, but when we picked up our puppy they were very reluctant to have us meet the parents. After insisting, they finally brought out the mom, large poodle who was very dirty and had very crusty disgusting eyes and didn't seem friendly.  The dad they said was indisposed with another female.  It was a shocking visit, but the puppy was so adorable (however came home with fleas) and 2 references I called couldn't say enough great things about this breeder.  the other two never called me back.  I wish I knew the owners of the other puppies from this breeder so I can see if we have related problems?  My husband thinks we should find Mollie a new home which I think would be very hard with her problem so I'm at a loss.  Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and post your comments and suggestions.

[Debbie and Thomas]

This is probably going to sound stupid but twice our goldendoodle snapped at us when he was around 5 mths.  We were absolutely shocked.  How could this sweet animal turn on us..we said.  Well...we were so upset...we simply stopped speaking to him or have any contact other than taking him out for "his business" and feeding him.  There were no walks or playtime.  Actually we did this on his second occasion of being a jerk.  My husband lasted 4 days...I caved during the second day.  He was very happy that I was back on board but kept going over to my husband during the evening to make friends.  Jack told him to "get lost...you are not my friend anymore".  Although I was shocked...I knew that my husband was holding out and that he was still totally disgusted by the behaviour of his little growing larger friend.  After these days of ignoring the dog...Thomas our doodle became a much better and obedient dog.  Remember these dogs are extremely intelligent...I think the dood knew that he had better behave if he wanted the 5 star treatment back again.  It worked for us and he has never snapped or growled at us again and he just turned 3. 

[Debbie and Thomas]

PLus I meant to say that Mollie is gorgeous....loved looking at her pic's.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

ARGH! My computer froze at the end of my post!  Mollie certainly is beautiful.  I don't have advice specifically on resource guarding but we took our dogs through a great method of training that is especially wonderful for dogs with 'issues.'  It is not  treat-based or trade-for-stuff method. It uses the dog's respect for you (after it realizes that you pay the bills and are in charge). Using this method you show the dog what you want over and over until he 'gets' it and then you expect the behavior and correct if you don't get it.  This method is often used as a last resort for dogs such as adult dogs (often rescues) who have serious behavior problems that must be corrected for the dog to continue. There are specific techniques used.  This training is Koehler Method of Dog Training (KMODT).

[Margaret Rauwald]

Nancy,

Thx for your reply. Was just glancing at the KMODT website.  Is it the E-collar approach to training you are referring to? How would you recommend going about this training? i.e. locate a local KMODT trainer if available in my area or just start with the book?

[Carol Brand]

No.  You would need to find a trainer familiar with this method.  Where are you located?

[Margaret Rauwald]

I'm in Durham, NC next to Duke Univ., Raleigh, Chapel Hill are close by.  I'll be connecting with my trainer today at 2:00 (Sue McKInney, Dog Fun Forever) so I'll ask her about KMODT which I don't think she does but may know someone. Her specialty is agility training but also offers a full menu of other classes including obedience and she know Mollie well.  Can you recommend someone?

[Margaret Rauwald]

Hi Carol,

Just checking back to see if you know of KMODT trainer in the Raleigh/ Durham, NC area?

Thx!

Margaret

[Carol Brand]

Oh sorry.  I missed this.   I saw a whole lot of feel good trainers in the Raleigh area but I had trouble finding someone who had actually accomplished something with their dogs. (i.e don't tell me that you have been training dogs for years but then you have no high level titles to show for it... the proof of the pudding is in the eating!).  I would contact some of the following training clubs to ask for a recommendation in your area.  These folks all do Shutzhund work which puts the rest of us to shame.  These folks are serious about training and they have some pretty intense dogs.  They might be able to help you.

 

http://www.durhamschutzhundclub.com/

http://www.tarheelcanine.com/

http://www.brewerskennel.com/?referrer=uscity.net

[Margaret Rauwald]

Thanks Carol. I'll check them out.  I agree and don't want to spend tons of money with limited or no success general training techniques when I need very specific, proven success training.

[Adina P]

I checked on a training forum and from what I remember the closest is about 2 hours away. 

[Margaret Rauwald]

Do you know the name and location?

Thx! MArgaret

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks, Carol for responding for me about KMODT.  I have not been on the computer much lately and missed this question.  I see that others have looked for a KMODT trainer in the area. After seeing how well the dogs in Ned and Clancy's class responded, I really support this method for dogs with issues.