Stew's guarding

[Jess & Stewart]

In the long and continuing saga of conquering Stew's guarding, I'm really confused and unsure what type of training to use.

1) private trainer told me to desensitize Stew to me approaching with the dropping treats method, then slowly condition for me to reach and grab something. I've done that a lot, Stew seems to respond and I can walk right next to him, he'll drop what he has & if I distract him by making him eat a treat a little bit away from the item, I can reach and grab it. If he tries to get on the couch or does attention seeking behaviors, I'm to stop him and walk towards him, getting in his space until he backs off.

2) my aunt told me I need to assert myself as alpha. She told me to startle Stew (penny can, loud clap, loud slap of a piece of paper) if he won't get off the couch or give something up and make him get off or drop what he has, then make him come to me. She said that's better than an alpha roll and you aren't doing anything physically to the dog, but showing him that's unacceptable. My aunt is VERY concerned that Stew seems to be "alpha aggressive" and growls, snaps and has bitten me. She told me if I don't assert myself as alpha that maybe I shouldn't have Stew and he's not a good match for me, that I need to get over a fear of getting bitten and get a more docile dog.

My big question is, the trainer told me growling is good, in that it alerts you that your dog is uncomfortable. I need to let him know he doesn't need to feel anxious and desensitize him. My aunt said her dogs never growl at her and she is alpha. When you all say that you don't tolerate growling or your dogs know that you can take anything from them, HOW do you do that? I don't want to take anything from Stew by force, as I don't want to be bitten and don't want him to start freaking anytime I approach.

I KNOW Stew is great dog. He's housebroken, rings bells to go out, pee/poop on command, does fine in the crate (that's another discussion-my neighbor was apparently ONLY having a bad day and it's NOT an issue at all, so all that was for naught) not food aggressive, sits for almost everything, waits at doors/for food, obeys commands & tricks (right/left paw, down, sit, high five, sit pretty, bow, crawl). Pretty AWESOME for my first dog and I'm doing it by myself. I just need to get this guarding down.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I wish I had an answer for you but my dogs never growl at me and I could take anything from them but I really never did anything special to achieve this. I am not afraid of them and I think that is part of the success. If you are anxious the dog gets anxious. But also, I think you should follow one plan and not get conflicting opinions. You need to choose what you think will work for you and stick with it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree completely. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jess, No offense to your aunt, but I would go with the trainer. I hate all that alpha stuff and especially, that stupid alpha roll. I do, however, agree that Stew should not be able to sense fear in you. I had a rescued Lab that guarded and I am sure would have bit me in a heartbeat. I always traded up with a better treat, etc. to be able to take something from her. That said, she was old when we got her, but Stew is young and I think, will be easier to turn around. I would do a lot of work on the "leave it" command with Stew. I also agree you need to find one person who you are comfortable with and whose advice seems the most doable for you and stick with it. Stew is a great dog and I don't think your aunt is helping you with your fears by telling you that he might not be a good match with you. You have done incredibly well with Stew and he is your dog and you love him. None of them come perfect, but just hang in there and keep at it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amen.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I agree, I too would stick to the trainer's advice. Good luck!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I think you should listen to the private trainer because their advice is specific to the issues you are having with Stew and fit with his personality and yours...your aunt is trying to make you fit her idea of what the relationship between you and Stew should be based in HER relationship with HER dogs--and it might not be an appropriate approach for you....i have three doodles and each one is different--I have one that guards if I let her--and I use the approach that your trainer has suggested. It has worked but if he improves, you can not stop doing the training as he will fall right back into it again--you need to work on it a bit every day forever--so that he is constantly reminded of the way to behave.

I think that your aunt is recommending a more aggressive approach and given your circumstances, it might not work for you--I do agree with her though in that growling is not good, and hopefully that will stop once you have done the training long enough.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Good advice, Ginny!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

If you respect your trainer as a expert in the area of dog behavior and training, I would stick with him, especially if your aunt has no formal training. If you don't have faith in your trainer and that is why you are questioning him/her, then find a trainer you have faith in.

Good luck Jess!

[Jess & Stewart]

I actually tried my aunt's startle advice tonight. Stew took his bone out of his crate, which is only a crate bone. He laid down and started to chew it. I said Stew, drop it in my firm voice and he looked up at me but didn't drop it. I said it again but added a quick but loud shake of the can. Stew dropped it IMMEDIATELY, sat and stared at me. I asked him to come to me, he came and sat down. I then went and picked the bone up.

I just worked on "take it" and "drop it", sitting in front of him, making him take then drop a toy. He drops everything right in front of him that even if he's munching on a hot dog piece, he'll still growl and/or snap at me. I gave him a firm no as I was picking up the toy. And he stopped growling, then went to get a drink.

I don't dislike dogs and I was never bitten to make me fearful, I guess it's just how sudden Stew is when he growls or snaps that has me mostly reacting. But I don't want to stand my ground, not show fear and get bitten.

[Deborah Brown]

Your aunt's methods are outdated.  You want Stew to respect you, not be afraid of you.  Don't use adversives even if they don't hurt him physically.  You don't want Stew to behave because he's afraid that you'll shake the penny can if he doesn't behave.  You want Stew to be your companion and trust you to do what's best for him.

It sounds like you've found a good trainer who is teaching you to read Stew's body language and communicate with him on dog terms.  This is all good and in the long run will pay off.  A dog's growl is his warning.  If he doesn't growl then he might bite without warning and that is far worse.

Those people who tell you that they don't tolerate growls, etc. don't have Stew.  Stew apparently is a very strong willed pup.  Changes don't happen over night.  It sounds like you are doing everything right and working hard on training.

I play a game with Penny that involves giving up a toy.  It's basically tug-of-war.  We tug for a minute or two and then I tell her "DROP" and give her a treat.  She sits in front of me until I hold out the toy and say OK and then we tug again.  This teaches her to let me have control of the game and that I will continue to play but on my terms.  Ask your trainer if this would be good for Stew.

[Deborah Brown]

One more thing... If you find that there are specific toys or bones that Stew is unwilling to give up, then maybe those things should be put away.  Some dogs can't handle a high value treat such as a marrow bone.

And, yes, it sounds like you are doing a great job with Stew.  I'm glad the barking isn't still a problem.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I agree.  Cubbie used to guard this one particular type of chew.  No matter what I did I couldn't correct or eliminate the behavior.  It got to the point that he wouldn't even chew the bone, he would just pace the house with it trying to keep it away from everyone.  The trainer suggested that I stop giving him those chews and it seemed to help.