First a growl can be defensive. It can be a byproduct of play, I have a dog that has a happy purr type growl. A growl can indicate pain. Dogs have many vocalizations that are subtly different and mean different things. See
Dog Owners Guide to Canine communications
You know your dog better than anyone else and therefore what the intent of the vocalization was. For continued discussion I will assume it was a defensive measure to protect the raw hide bone.
This behavior is commonly referred to as resource Guarding. It is in large part normal canine behavior, a holder over of survival instinct. Just because it is normal does not mean it is desirable or that you can't change it. A good resource is
MINE! A GUIDE TO RESOURCE GUARDING IN DOGS
There are a couple ways to deal with the issue. One is modify the behavior through training, or manage the behavior by eliminating the situations in which it occurs.
To manage the behavior don't give Byron raw hide.
It is possible you will never have another guarding issue. However since the guarding has occurred and his behavior reward ( he kept the rawhide) it is more likely to reoccur.
To modify the behavior the first step is to manage the behavior so it does not occur. I do not recommend physical contact with a growing dog. Not because it is painful or injuries to the dog or does not work but the possible harm there is to the human. If you know your dog and know under those circumstances it will not bite then ok. But if you are scared when he growls what happens when he snaps? Fear/uneasiness manifests itself strongly through body language and is easily communicated to the dog. IMHO transmitting those signs of anxiety, fear, uneasiness puts the dog on edge and makes him more likely to bite. For you I would strongly recommend against any physical confrontation regardless of how mild or gentle.
The reason for managing the situation to prevent growling is this. Once the growl has occurred it is all but impossible not to reinforce it. This is how it works, dog growls you stop dog is reward for growling cuz he maintained possession.
You confront dog physically remove bone. Dog learns Physical force = retention to object not what you want. If you have a strong willed dog, it has learned next time use more force. Or You go of to get a treat to trade. That is even better dog growls mom leaves really strong reinforcement of the growl as a means to retain the bone. Ffinally, you come back with a more desirable treat. Oh boy! oh boy! I growl when I have something and mom give me a big reward, yep that is sure to illicit more growling. Not many instances when growling is not rewarded.
The purpose of the technique described is to change the mind set of the dog. So it no longer views you as a threat when he has ... whatever but to view your presence as a forbearer of good things. That is the purpose of teaching the dog to trade. Again we must start out with low value object because we want to avoid the dog growling for the reason stated above. Also it is best only to approach the dog once you have treats to trade. Therefore any initial approach is good and the dog does not develop the expectation that treat only come after the mom has been to the refrigerator. Again work your self up slow in values before attempting to trade for rawhide. It would not be unusual with a couple session a day of trading to take a couple - 6 months, With all this trading going on, usually with food stuff, be sure to adjust the amount you feed to compensate. Otherwise, the biggest modification you will make is the dogs waistline
When you get up to trading for raw hide this is what I would reccommend. I t can be easily use on other lower level food items and toys also. When give the dog the rawhide, would make sure you have an abundance of higher level treats already on hand, -in pocket, -easily within reach. Give the a dog raw hid. Ask for trade quickly, befor he becomes attached to the object. Give raw hide back and trade again. If this consistently works successfully over 3-6 time then you can up the ante a bit. Give the dog the raw hide step back a step, pause, step forward and trade. Your working on acclimated the dog to approaching him, something good will happen rather than bad. It takes time. but does work.
Don't forget to include all family member in the training and even friends and quest so the dog does only expect trading to occur with one person with the result being when any one else approaches he growls.
[ February 01, 2006, 04:10 AM: Message edited by: Mikey T ]
