How to stop a dog from being possessive over its owner?

To stop a dog from acting possessive when held, you need to help the dog understand that when people approach, they are not going to hurt the dog or take the guardian away. The secret way to stop dogs from acting possessive is to make them feel like the new person is a positive. We accomplish this by making something wonderful happen when the person arrives. I like to do this using treats. By going at the dog’s pace and making something nice happen when someone approaches the dog and guardian, I was able to help Lovie see my arrival as a good and positive thing. if the guardian is able to re-create this with friends and neighbors, she should be able to help Lovie stop acting possessive when held. This is an easy way to stop possessive behavior in dogs, but you have to practice at a level low enough for the dog to not feel triggered. After you stack enough intentionally positive experiences together, it’s possible for many dogs to develop a new behavior pattern after a few months. My hope is that Lovie starts to associate people approaching as an indication that good things are happening and not that someone is going to take her away from her favorite person.

To help create the right associations for dogs being approached by humans when they had coveted items in their control, I always approached bearing gifts, I moved toward the dogs with something to offer, it gave them reason to look up, sniff my hand and discover something yummy was there waiting for them. I offered them several treats before I ever touched the item they were chewing on. When I did take a hold of the bone or toy, I shared possession of it with them, rather than taking it away. Then I gave it back and let them enjoy in peace. The goal should be to develop a dog that trusts us enough to take away a coveted item. That trust is built by having a higher ratio of giving rather than taking when we approach our dogs. The training takes a little practice and the ideal time to start is with a young pup that hasn’t learned (or at least hasn’t had lots of practice) with the habit of defensiveness yet.

I have found that many possessive and aggressive behaviors are result of the dog perceiving himself to be equal or superior in authority to his owners. Sometimes this occurs when a dog’s owners do not incorporate clear rules, boundaries and structure into the dogs life. Not every dog needs this type of structure, but when a dog shows signs of stress or aggression, adding structure is a good place to start. Making a dog sit before going through an open door, not allowing it on the furniture or requiring it to follow a command before getting attention or affection are simple easy to enforce rules that help define the authority roles in the home. By assuming the leadership role, enforcing structural rules and boundaries and communicating in a way he understands, Ous’s owners will change the dog’s perception of his authority. Once this change has taken place, they will be able to start gradually introducing the children in a paced and structured format that allows the dog to become used to their presence. Having the children come over one at a time so that the dog doesn’t feel overwhelmed is also important. With time, Ous will not only tolerate them, he will look forward to their visits and attention.

The first step to managing a possessive dog is to recognise the warning signs of possessive behaviour: Refusing to give up a toy or treat when asked Snapping at other dogs while eating Hoarding toys or treats Growling at other animals while holding a toy. The most immediate way to control your dog’s possessive behaviour is to prevent access to the things he guards. If your dog is possessive over “high-value” items like certain chews for example, the easiest solution is to not bring those items home. You can also use doors and baby gates in your home to keep your possessive dog separate from resources he may guard. Sometimes, a possessive dog needs a basic obedience refresher course. All the basics, from “sit” to “stay,” are important for your dog, but these three commands are most useful for dogs who tend to hang on to resources: “Leave it!” “Drop it!” A key command for all dogs, “drop it” is especially helpful for dogs who get possessive about toys. “Swap” or “Trade” is a cousin of “drop it,” and is useful if your dog won’t drop the item she’s guarding. Essentially, you offer a “better” resource than the one they’re guarding. Use “drop it” when your dog refuses to let go of a tennis ball. Desensitisation and counter-conditioning training is a gradual, deliberate process of changing your dog’s behaviour. It’s useful for dogs who guard their food bowl, or growl when you try to take away a toy. Over the course of many weeks, you can work with your possessive dog. The idea is teaching her not to react emotionally to a specific object or situation. Then, you teach her the rewards of having a different reaction. For example, a dog who growls when people come near her food bowl can be trained not to react at all, and eventually to react positively to a person near them at meal time. Training takes time and patience, but if you’re consistent, you and your dog will breathe easier. NILIF training is a positive, safe way to remind your dog that you control the resources, and it can greatly reduce possessive behaviour. You can start small, by asking your dog to hold a “sit” for several minutes before releasing him to eat dinner. The key is to be patient and persistent!