Contending with Posessiveness

[Krista, Angel, and Toby]

Hi all.  So Toby is home, and much to my consternation, Angel is scaring the poor thing into submission, I guess.  I've been watching and trying to get a good feel for the actual interactions versus the interactions my mind supplies upon hearing the yelping of Toby, but when it comes to what Angel perceives as HERS, sweet loving Angel becomes truly vicious and aggressive.  I don't know how to handle it. I asked a trainer, but she said to take the toy/chew/whatever it is away so that neither dog can have it, but the problem is I've given Toby bully sticks and pig ears, neither of which Angel would normally give two rips about.  Seriously, I tried offering both to her in the store on multiple occassions and she invariably, no matter the type of bully treat, turns her nose up at it. Still I bought two bully sticks, one for him and one for her, and she didn't even look at hers; she just didn't want Toby to have it.

I admit, each time evidence of Angel's possessiveness comes out, I am shaken, especially by Toby's terrified cries.  So far, Angel hasn't hurt him, that I can tell, but I'd rather stop this nonsense before Toby's luck runs out... 

I need help.  Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions in mind?  Thank you!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have noticed some of this happening now that we have added our rescue dood to our pack. Our other dogs NEVER guarded their things from each other or their 'cousin' dogs but the dynamics have changed. Sometimes Clancy has the item and growls to keep it and sometimes Clancy gets into another dog's space and won't take another dog's growl as a warning. We do take the item away. We have numerous bones, nylabones, in the house but if they are going to argue over one item it is gone for at least a week.

[Amy Murphy]

I know what you mean. We give rawhides to all dogs (five) at the same time, invariably we have one female that stalks the others and grabs chewies away, hoarding all of them. The fortunate thing is that she's a loner, and will be fine closed in a room alone to chew away as the others do the same in peace. The play toys, ropes and Kongs, don't really get argued over, it seems to be the yummy stuff that causes the problem. I don't know if that helps at all, are they kennel trained? Maybe giving them thier own toys in seperate kennels and then leave out the toys they don't argue over?

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Congrats on Toby coming home. Let's hope it is somewhat of a phase and that Angel is trying to assert herself as the dominant packdog. Taquito did this when Peri first came home. THe trouble I run into now is that Taquito will steal an antler from Peri and Peri will just bark bark bark bark (you get the idea) until he releases it. It is not fair to T. because he never gets peace and quiet with a toy. We have about 3 different antlers - they only want what the other has! Recently we started shaking a can of coins at Peri when she barks like this - it is having an affect on her. But, I don't think I would use that technique yet. I just don't know. How long has Toby been home again? It took T. about 2 weeks to start being really nice to Peri....

[Adrianne Matzkin]

When Mickey (my 1st foster and now GrandDoodle) is here, they all get new marrow bones. It never fails, either Samantha or Mickey takes Charli's away from her and she will just sit and give a bark, a whine, a bark, a whine while sitting at full attention and looking at ME! So I get up and get it back from the culprit (who by the way is not chewing on it, they just leave it between their paws and chew their own!!) and give it back to Charli. 5 minutes later, the other 'older' one takes it away from Charli again! I do my take it back routine again and then pay attention. Whoever gets up next gets a big 'uh, uh!'. The other 2 will stop but if I should turn my back they are at it again! When I have had enough, all 3 loose them.

I would stand near Angel when you give them the bully sticks or pigs ears. If she tries to take it away or gives any type of vocalization, correct her. She has to know that is behavior you will not tolerate! If you have to, put a leash on Angel to ensure that Toby will be protected. Angel needs to understand that there is a limit to which she can push Toby.
They WILL work it out. I promise you that. BUT if you are uncomfortable then set the rules.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is all great advice. My two have seemed to work this out, but Guinness (who is older, but smaller), usually ends up on the losing end of the toy "sharing". I keep several antlers around, and Murphy (the big guy) will always take them away from Guinness....so Guinness just goes and finds another one. That can go on and on. I think having a "safe place" where Toby can enjoy a bully stick or toy uninterrupted is also a great idea. Guinness can fit under the bed, and when he really wants a toy or antler, he'll take it under there where Murphy can't get it. Murphy hates that....he'll usually position himself right by the side of the bed and wait to pounce on Guinness when he comes out. You'll learn to recognize their sounds after a while. When Guinness and Murph are challenging each other for a particular toy, I let them handle it unless I hear a low pitched growl (they both do this when they've reached their limit), and then I just take the toy away. Otherwise, it would get "ugly". You're still in an adjustment phase and they're getting used to each other...it will take a little time.

[Ginny Nightingale]

My larger doodle Lyric, has to have everything--she is very pushy and will just shove the smaller doodle aside. I am lucky in that the smaller doodle has less interest in toys (they all "belong" to Lyric) and is easy-going. She will just move aside when Lyric challenges her. But I do feel bad for her since she is always the "underdog". If we have Lyric in a submissive position--like if we are rubbing her tummy, Mattie will immediately try to hump her--I guess she sees that as her chance to show dominance.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Kirby always takes things from Dexter. Dex is really easy going and 75% of the time just gives it up without even caring. Sometimes it's something Dex wants and he will give Kirby a little growl or a bark. We really let them work it out. It never gets ugly (the worst we hear is a little growl or a bark).

Your situation sounds a little different. I like Adrianne's advice. My advice is to not give either of them high reward items until they get used to each other or only give these items when they can be separated.