What to do when a dog is possessive of a toy?

If your dog shows guarding behaviours, leave them well alone when they are enjoying food or playing with toys by themselves. Always swap the dog's item for something else, being consistent and always swapping items will help dogs learn to share without being worried. If you need to take something from your dog, swap it for something else that your dog considers to be equally or even more valuable. You could drop several treats on the ground near your dog, so they have to leave the item to go and eat them. Then you can calmly pick up the item while they’re enjoying themselves. You can teach your dog to drop and swap during fun training sessions, when your dog is playing with a toy, get something they like even better. Offer this to your dog a little distance away from what they already have, your dog should be enticed to drop what they have and come to get the new item. Once your dog has the hang of this, you can add a cue word ‘drop’, over time, your dog should associate the word ‘drop’ with letting go of their toy, and you can ask them to ‘drop’ what they have in exchange for a tasty treat.

We have just been taking the toy out of the mix and then she is fine. We are starting to learn that she is not good at sharing toys with other dogs. Make sure you check out our WIKI for recommended resources and articles about common problems.

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. Making a stand to prove you can remove something from your dog’s mouth is not the best way to head off future problems of possessive behavior. The goal should be to develop a dog that trusts us enough to take away a coveted item. 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.

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!” This command tells your dog to ignore a compelling treat or toy and focus their attention on you, or to walk past an enticing morsel on the street. “Drop it!” A key command for all dogs, “drop it” is especially helpful for dogs who get possessive about toys. Training your dog to reliably “drop it” can help prevent possessive behaviour before it starts. “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, and show him a particularly tasty treat, say “trade,” and follow it with a “sit.” When he sits, he gets the tasty treat as a reward, and drops the ball. NILIF training is a positive, safe way to remind your dog that you control the resources, and it can greatly reduce possessive behaviour. 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. Desensitisation and counter-conditioning training is very effective, but takes a lot of time, patience, and consistency.