tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post7611635738580647852..comments2023-09-26T12:09:29.433-07:00Comments on Q&A: The Dogs Today Think Tank: On guardBeverley Cuddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03544804932989118884noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-40526172905088558912012-03-22T03:20:27.045-07:002012-03-22T03:20:27.045-07:00My initial thoughts would be to agree with your be...My initial thoughts would be to agree with your behaviour advisor, however whilst teaching the 'drop' or 'leave' command, offer a swap at the same time - and make it more appealing than the thing your dog's guarding. For this you'd have to work out exactly what he values and how they rank in his mind. From this I'd hope that an association with the word 'drop' and something super fantastic coming his way would form, which you can phase out later. However, in terms of a recommended behaviour specialist, check out http://www.capbt.org/findbehaviourist-uk.php to find your nearest Coape behavioural advisor. Hope it helps and good luck :)Kate Thorntonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7008632143615292951.post-55809507949619617602012-03-09T11:53:53.119-08:002012-03-09T11:53:53.119-08:00Gosh, are you describing my Goldie 10 years ago?! ...Gosh, are you describing my Goldie 10 years ago?! I learnt to deal with it, but never really cured it though he is 15 now and the vet told me at age 1 that (a) he was pleased I had taken the dog on as most people would have been unable to cope with him, and (b) he would be happy to put him down with no questions if I couldn't cope. He is now 15, I am pleased to say.<br />I used a combination of things, firstly.......<br />Learn to read the dog. Mine goes still and stiff with possibly a gently wagging tail; that means he is about to take me on.There always was a reason for his threatening behaviour, but unfortunately it wasn't always obvious until later. Basically it was whenever I asked him to do something he didn't want to, like give me whatever, go to bed, be handled etc. I always muzzled him at the vets, and still do, just in case.<br />Two ways of dealing with it, (1) always have a squeaky toy to hand. With mine this was ALWAYS better than whatever he was thinking about, luckily.<br />(2) which will be frowned upon in these PC days, when he challenged me, I got in first, yelled, shook his scruff then let go quickly before he turned. So I won. But only just.<br />I know if I had ever become frightened of the dog I would have had it and he would have had to go, it nearly came to that point but luckily never quite.<br />Good luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com