Correcting a naughty behavior...

[Richard Crowe]

Yesterday, we were at the Grand Woofstock dog event in Escondido and got two adoptions.  However, we also made some contacts with a vendor for Dick Van Patten Natural Balance Food who will get us a good discount for our rescue efforts and with a dog trainer who is willing to help us with some dogs that have behaviors which make them hard to adopt.  

The first tip she gave us worked like a charm.  I will pass it along because I think that this might be good for modifying behaviors other than the one we are working on. It should work with Doodles also!

We have a lovely Maltese-Poodle Mix female, Ellie May. who is friendly to everyone except in one situation.  When this girl is sitting on your lap, she becomes possessive and will grow and snap at anyone approaching.  The fix was simple and seems to work great right from the start.  I think that the idea might be used to "fix" other specific behaviors so I will pass on the trainer's advice.

Have Ellie May on the floor and begin to give her high value treats (bacon bits, chicken, ham, etc.) 

Then have Ellie May sit on someone's lap.  Approach and offer her the treat.  If she takes it without growling, fine. Offer her some more.  However, if she growls or tries to snap, take the treat back, put her on the floor and ignore her for a while.

This is a positive way to correct that behavior and it seems to be working.  However, the trick will be for us to try it with persons other than Judy and I.

I think that this would work for any possessive behaviors...

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Wasn't Natural Balance sold to a large chain that uses products from China?  The concern was that future food would be China sourced.  Seem to remember that-but not the where I read it.   

[Richard Crowe]

Toby, we have been feeding Natural Balance Sweet potato and fish kibble for several years and also using the canned sweet potato and fish as a flavoring.  Holly, our GD, is very sensitive to food, yet has done extremely well using the Natural Balance.

There is a local pet supply chain in the San Diego County area, Kahoots, that has their house brand sweet potato and fish kibble and canned food.  It is a little less expensive but nothing that would make a difference.  However it seems to be just as good with our dogs as the Natural Balance.  We occasionally get Petco discount coupons which makes the Natural Balance a good buy and Kahoots discount coupons which makes their food a good buy. 

We feed the two brands interchangeably and have experienced no problems.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for sharing. We can always use behavior modification tips!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

My sisters maltese does that too.  WHen she was a puppy everyone thought it was cute and thought awww she's protecting her owner.  She bit a little girl last month...not hard but because she reached over someone else to pet her :( 

the little girl is ok...and she isn't traumatized either and loves Molly but her mom won't let her pet Molly anymore

[Miss Ellie]

Very good advice and I love her name...our sweet GD's name is Ellie!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Good advise Richard, thanks for sharing!

[Toby]

How is that Natural Balance food? Guy at Petco said it was as good as Blue Buffalo and with more variety . Expensive like Blue Buffalo.