I am so upset!

[Laura & Chewie]

I am so upset right now I'm on the verge of tears as I type this. I know I have mentioned Chewie's problem with resource guarding before...everyone is probably tired of hearing about it, but here goes. I was at my daughter's with Chewie, we got in the car to come home. He was in the passenger seat like always. We had just pulled out of the driveway and he was digging into the seat with his nose/mouth. It was dark, so I couldn't see what he was after, I stopped the car and talked to him to get him to turn around in the seat...he would not. So, I took his leash and tried to redirect him from whatever had his attention. He growled and snapped at me...I don't know if he bit me or my hand just made contact with his teeth, but it really hurt. Luckily the skin was not broken. I was so upset, I yelled "no" at him and tapped him on the nose. He immediately growled, barred his teeth and tried to snap again.

We have been working on the resource guarding and I thought we were seeing improvement. I will be honest, I haven't been working quite as aggressively as I could. I just don't understand...what makes one dog exhibit this type of behavior while others don't. Is it something in his temperment? He is such a good boy in every other way. He loves everyone, is so patient and gentle with my granddaughters. Just today at daycare, they were telling me how he is one of the favorite dogs there...how he has the best temperment. She was shocked when I told her about the resource guarding.

I guess I'm just trying to understand where this behavior comes from...he has been like this since we got him at 8 weeks...he is now 8 months. I know training is the key to many behavior issues, but to be honest, this is the first dog I have tried to train, so I am definitely lacking in experience. I did have a dog for 17 years, but was never formally trained...fortunately it was never a problem. I guess I'm looking for reassurance that this behavior can be reversed and to hear about other people experiences with the same type of problem.

If you got this far, (I know it's long) thanks for reading this. I am really hoping some of you experienced dog owners can offer some opinions and reassurance.

[laurie lehr]

I often would get frustrated with Jasper when he was younger.Just keep up with the training and it will come with maturity . At one point they do go backwards but just keep up with the training . A couple minutes a day , everyday .

[Natasha]

8 - 12 months is a tough age. They really start to push the limits to see how far their boundaries can go and whether or not those boundaries are real. Just stay as consistent as you can. It sounds like you are doing a great job with training.

What do you mean he was at daycare? Is that with children? If so, what is that environment like?

[Camilla and Darwin]

I believe she means doggy daycare.

[Laura & Chewie]

Yes, definitely doggy daycare. He goes a couple days a week and love it.

[shelly]

Okay.... - I really can't believe this happened - just today!!! I came home form work and my mother-inlaw who so kindly plays with and feeds Tori while we're all at work and school told me Tori bit her today! YOU should see the bruise on her 2 fingers! I JUST said last night how she hasn't done that sonce!!! I TRULY should have knocked on wood or bit my tongue. She had a paper towel in her mouth and my mother -in-law gave her a treat, and went to take the paper towel which she had dropped on the floor. WELL she went after her hand. She of course was shocked and yell at her. Tori KNEW again she was wrong and cowered into her crate and didn't come out for hours. Later she laid down on the couch next to my MIL and licked her hand. when my mother gave her the cold shoulder, she crawled onto her lap and laid her head down on her. She moped around the whole night because she knew she was wrong. I don't know WHY!! My DH says because "she's a dog" and you took away something she wanted... huh It's just so disheartening. My dogs we had as a kid never did that... but then again... my father would have beat the CR #$ out of them then too. Hang in there!

[Laura & Chewie]

Oh no, Shelly...so sorry this happened today. I guess you just don't know. Chewie has been a very good boy today...maybe he senses how disappointed I was last night. You know, you always hear that you can never trust a dog 100% no matter how reliable they seem. I just think we don't want to believe it because we do consider them family members. How old is Tori...still a puppy?

[shelly]

I know.. they DO know they have disappointed us and I truly believe they feel bad! She was walking around like a little kid hangin her head and trying to cuddle up to us. When I came home and my mother in law showed me and told me, all I did was say "what did you do?" in a deep slow tone. She slinked under the table. Tori will actually be 2 in March. But other than this latest episode, she truly has been sooooooo much better. There were times back when - when I wasn't sure if I was going to make it! You know..., it could have something to do with moods - the poor baby is so matted from the snow, she won't let me brush her (she never really does). I know when my hair 'hurts' I'm bothered, so who knows... maybe she was just irritated - or at least I'd like to think so....She goes to the groomer saturday - something tells me she's going to get cut pretty short. (but that's another story -lol)

[Debbie and Thomas]

Well, you know that paper towels are irresistable to doodles!! Seriously though, Thomas has done this twice. Once when he was about 5 mths old when he found some garbage on the road outside the house that a racoon or something had left. When we tried to take away the bone, he growled and would have bitten us if we hadn't stopped until we got a weiner out of the house to trade with him. He was really viscious and my husband was so mad, he wouldn't talk, pet or even acknowledge Thomas for two or three days. The dog sulked around the house that entire time until his dad had forgiven him. Then he did it again at 9 months, not as bad, but there was growling when we tried to get whatever he had in his mouth away from him. Again, I followed the trainers advice and just traded it for a weiner or cheese etc. Other times, he will let us take anything out of his mouth. But if it is something that he really wants, look out! I hope we have the problem licked but I am always careful.

[shelly]

I know.. it's just so upsetting. In fact, Tori has been mopey all day... I'm just hoping it's not her stomach again.. hasn't eaten much today. But her personality seems ok. Just coveting her new dragon. She was upset yesterday all day when everyone was mad at her. She's so sensitive. I see that you give Thomas cheese and weiners.. guess his stomach is fine. Wish I could give Tori treats like that. But worry about her stomach.... Maybe it runs on Tori's mother's side! LOL

[Wendy and Eddie]

Have you ever had a trainer come to your house? When I adopted a year old dog with issues (my first experience with a dog with issues!) I found a fabulous trainer. When trainers to your house, they can identify little things you may not even notice you are doing. For instance, in a class I am super conscious of every move I make and where the dog is in relation to me, while at home I have habits and routines I don't think about at all. So my trainer pointed out that at this moment here and that moment there I was sending certain signals to my dog without even realizing it. Hope this makes sense!