Older Dog, taking puppy's toys, HELP!!! (long)

[Angels Mama]

Ok...I have a 4.5 year old spayed female named Angel. We just brought home our new addition a week ago, a 8 week old male puppy named Bing. Angel was a little wary of him at first, but now she likes playing with him. We are having a problem with toys. There's two stuffed toys, that Angel doesn't really mind sharing (we bought them when we brought the puppy home, so Angel wouldn't have to share "her" toys). Right now Bing is teething and we have a few nylabones for him to chew on, but EVERY time we give him one of his nylabones or his kong, Angel will snarl and charge at him, taking his nylabone or kong. Now we always give Angel a Kong or toy at the same time, and always first, but she never seems interested in what we give her, but rather what the puppy has. It's gotten to the point where Bing is almost afraid to chew on his toys because Angel will "attack". We thought about giving Bing his toys in his crate, but he never seems interested in them when he's in there. HOW do I train Angel to let Bing have at LEAST one toy to chew on, without her going all crazy? We have been VERY diligent in always petting Angel first, feeding her first, giving her treats first etc. We want Bing to feel comfortable and know it's ok to chew on appropriate toys that we give him, instead of him chewing on the couch or shoes etc. What can I do?? Please any suggestions, advice or ideas are welcome, I'm all out!!!

Thanks!!!
Angel and Bings Mama

 

[gmacleod]

Actually, I'd suggest that you restrain Angel from that sort of behaviour. She should not be snarling and charging anyone - most especially with you in the room (and I wouldn't give them toys or chews unsupervised). Don't allow her to do that.

If she cannot behave, then she should go into her crate (with her chewy) or be put on a leash. Thing is, if you're the leader, then YOU own/control the resources and allow the others (her and Bing) to use them. But Angel appears to be of the belief that she owns the resources. Actually, you believe it too But toys should not be "hers" - they must be yours. Then you get to decide who you allow to play with them.

As a short term fix, you could consider giving them chew toys only in their crates. That removes the issue of her stealing his, or threatening/attacking him over them.

In the longer term though, you do need to work on the leadership issue, and on her resource guarding. In addition to not allowing her to behave aggressively over the chews, you need to work with her and reward her for sharing/giving things up.

Here are a few articles that should give you a bit of help with that:
Guarding and Showing Aggression Over Resources: http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_ResourceGuarding.html
Object guarding: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/objectguarding.htm
Teaching Dogs It's Okay to Share: http://www.geocities.com/Augusta/2525/posses.htm

And a couple of books that you may find very helpful:
"MINE!" A Guide To Resource Guarding in Dogs" By Jean Donaldson
Details at: http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB740&AffiliateID=45100&Method=3
"Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household" by Patricia B. McConnell
Details at (scroll down about half way down the page): http://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com/books-retail.php

 

[Angels Mama]

You know you're 100% right, I should think of the resources as mine and not Angels. Angel had a rough first 6 months of her life, she was living in an abusive household, and I think I tried to overcompensate for that. She is a sweetheart with everything else except this one issue. As I said before, she is 4.5 years old, so I am assuming it's going to take more time to re-train her?
I just don't want her to think I am favouring the puppy over her...I'm a worried mommy!!! Thank you for the advice though, it sounds just right!! Any more ideas on specific training would be welcome as well!! Those articles look good, (I just briefly looked at them and am going to print them out).

Angel and Bings Mama

 

[gmacleod]

Well, nobody can blame you for trying to compensate for a rough start in life But you'll have a happier household all-round if you're at the top of the hierarchy and all resources are yours - and the dogs can be relaxed enough to share the toys you let them play with. Do keep that in mind - a dog that is possessive is insecure. But if everything is "yours" and she has no room to be possessive over resources, then Angel herself will be a more relaxed and happy dog as a result.

I really would start with giving them chew toys or anything else that she's possessive over only in their crates. Don't leave toys out for them to play with or to assume "ownership" of - keep them for yourself and give them out when it suits you (and put them away afterward). That removes the triggers and the stress at the outset.

Then you can work on giving Bing his chew toy in his crate and having Angel out with you. There you can be working on teaching her to give things up - much as those articles describe. Now, I know her possessiveness at this stage is directed only at Bing, not you. But going through those motions will help to establish you as the owner of the resources, and should help to make her relaxed about giving things up with Bing around. Bing, in the meantime, gets to enjoy his chew toy in peace.

Once Angel is relaxed and happy chewing on her own toy and giving it up without issue any time you want to take it, you can stop crating Bing for his chew time. I'd still ensure he's sat on the other side of the room minding his own business with it though.

And if Angel starts to get protective or agitated over Bing and his chew toy, then redirect her attention to you and reward her with treats, praise and her own chew toy. If necessary, back up a step by putting one or other of them back in their crate to chew their toy. But keep on working on it, and keep reinforcing your ownership of the resources. In time, she should just settle down and become much more relaxed. It should go without saying here that you shouldn't ever let Bing try to take her toy either (and he may try to).

But do read those articles. And take a look at the Patricia McConnell book as well. There's a load of very useful advice in it