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.

[Stella]

Go with the trainer. Keep doing the exchange games, so that he learns you approaching him when he has something is a positive experience, and that he doesn't have to get worried. Always trade-up, again making your approach a pleasant thing. He should trust and respect you, not fear you which is what a lot of the alpha stuff leads to. If he is fearful he will be more likely to guard. His growl is a sign he is uncomfortable, it is his way of talking to you. Obviously, no one wants a dog to growl at them, but if you train it out of him you will end up with a dog that may bite without warning. Personally, I'd rather have a dog that growled than escalated directly into biting. You are doing good work, stick with the trainer and keep it up. It can be a long road, but so worth it in the end.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I agree with the advice given so far which is to follow your trainer's advice.  That being said, I would pick up any toys that Stewart thinks are high value enough not to want to give up - why set him up when you just want him to obey you.  He can have those items back in months when you have solved the problem.  I will say however, that we have cans of change in our RV that we shake when the dogs bark.  It works - all you are doing by shaking the can is getting their attention so you can make a correction. I would not shake it randomly just to 'get his attention.'

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

You've been given some great advice! I too, would follow your trainers suggestions and keep with it. Waffling back and forth is going to confuse the situation more.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jess, I posted last night but took it down because after trying to get my thoughts down, I thought it might confuse you.  Basically, I think if you are working with a trainer, you should follow her advice.  You seem to be getting results.  No disrespect to your Aunt - she may be right that Stew may be using your fear to his advantage and you probably need to be more calmly assertive with him -- but I don't agree with any kind of training that frightens or bullies the dog (commonly called alpha dog training).  That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with shaking a can or squeaking a toy -- not to startle or frighten him, but to get a pup's attention before you give the next command.  The first thing I was taught to use with a pup was the "look" command which I taught Finn using treats.  When my dog was a pup and through the teenage years, I always used the "look" command. It alerted him to pay attention to me. I still use it sometimes today. It's funny because it's the first thing I taught him and he's never forgotten it. That's basically what you did last night, and it sounds like Stew gave you the bone without incident -- probably thanks to the exchange groundwork you've been laying with your trainer. Training is complicated and your trainer is seeing the issues firsthand and has worked with lots of dogs.  My opinion is stick with her.  Discuss concerns and ideas with her.  You've done a GREAT job with Stew so far, and if you both keep working on this challenge and I think you'll succeed.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

I tend to lean towards your trainer's way of thinking.  My dogs don't growl at me but I would rather they feel like they could, rather than suppress it and have it lead to a bite.  My rescue tends to resource guard very high-value chewies (bones, kongs, etc.).  He has never shown teeth or growled, but will quickly pick the item up if approached.  This is dangerous in my opinion.  I need to be able to take away anything he is chewing on, especially if it poses a danger.  I have worked very diligently to desensitize him to me approaching and/or reaching for that item.  I use VERY high value treats (pieces of steak, chicken, etc.) to trade up.  And then I give the item back to him.  I will do that over and over in a setting, random times, etc.  But to be honest, to avoid any sort of discomfort on his part, he just doesn't get high-value chewies.

[Adina P]

Is there actual evidence that suppressed growls (due to training) consistently lead to bites? I'd love to see the research.

That said, I'm also in favor of choosing ONE expert not a gaggle of experts when it comes to training. If at some point you change your mind about a trainer fine, but do what she says while she is your trainer and bring her your doubts and concerns so you can hear the rebuttal.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Interesting comment, which led me to the internet.  I didn't find actual 'research' but found a few articles on the topic.  I have always believed that it is best to allow a dog to express itself - mostly because that is what makes sense in my mind.  But on the other hand, I don't deal with growling.  

Two articles which 'support' growling:

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_6/features/Bite-Inhibiti...

http://www.peaceablepaws.com/articles.php?subaction=showfull&id...

But a bit more reading produced this article, which is a VERY interesting read:

http://www.seespotrunkennel.com/blog/punishing-out-warning-signals-...

[Adina P]

I am liking that last article a lot.  I think it makes far more sense than the typical understanding. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I found it thought provoking too. Although Luca never growls at me, he does growl sometimes. He has gotten much better at not attacking the TV when he see a dog or something. But sometimes he still does. If he is on the bed with me I can see him tense up and sometimes he growls. I now mostly use reassurance, telling him , "It's OK" or "you're a good boy". Often times now we get through the commercial or whatever without further ado.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We also, found with Enzo....she is going through a slight fear stage, at the moment. So barking and low growling at many things she has been accustomed to for months. By saying, good girl, it's ok, or something along those lines, she just stops and watches.
On another note, she went ballistic on an elephant on a commercial last night.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh yes, any TV animal and some animated figures will set Luca off at times : ) yet he is great with dogs we meet in the real world.

[Adina P]

I can't decide if dogs who notice TV are extra intelligent or if my dogs (who don't notice it at all) are the extra intelligent ones ;-)