Dog and puppy

[RLE]

Hi guys I have a 18 month old husky x and my partner has just introduced a 11 week old German shepherd into the family. Ozzy (the husky) has been very tolerant of the Kyza (German shepherd) when he's jumping all over him etc but he's becoming protective of his food. He was laying down chewing on his bone when Kyza came over and tried taking it from him, he snarled at him and Kyza yelped out my partner immediately told ozzy off and punished him by placing him into his cage (bed) was this the correct thing to do or is the puppy to learn?

I wouldn't leave them unattended together but I can't help worryying that poor ozzy has to give up everything for this pup because at the moment he's smaller than him.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[sophieleah]

I think this behaviour is completely natural. Altogether in my family, we have four dogs, who never, ever have bones around each other or eat together.

My dog in particular is terrible for resource guarding (can be anything from his food, a bone or even a stick he's found in the garden,) and this is directed at myself, children or other dogs.

The one thing I've read up about this kind of behaviour is definitely do not punish. The dog is simply tapping into his canine instincts, and punishment simply amplifies the behaviour as there is even more of a threat of something valuable being taken away from him.

I'm yet to 'fix' this problem with my own dog, but we are practicing that something valuable being taken away from him (e.g. a bone) results in something better (e.g. a walk, a treat) being given to him.

I would ensure that neither dogs have access to food whilst they are together.

Hope this helps! And good luck

 

[Shewbert]

Both dogs are still pups, you actually punished the wrong dog. Kyza was attempting to steal Ozzy's bone. Ozzy was verbally telling Kyza not to touch it, this was a warning that worked because kyza yelped in surprise, so he knew he had been told off. Kyza was not harmed, just reprimanded for stealing.

Then you immediately told Ozzy off and punished him for protecting something he was really enjoying,

You should have punished Kyza for stealing. instead Kyza now thinks it's ok to steal Ozzys things, I take it, and Ozzys shouted at and put out of the way.

I bet Kyza got the bone in the end.

Early on with my dogs I spent time taking their bones away from them, if they gave it freely they got the GOOD BOY and a treat then received their bone back again, through time anyone could safely take the bones away. I've played tug of war with my dogs bone, he doesn't take any offense

If your wife or yourself is clearing up and has to move the bone out of the way, she\you does not want to be bitten, the above training aleviates this.

Just change your training a little and there will be a lot less hastle.

Enjoy your dogs honestly things will get easier as they get older.

Shewy

 

[gypsysmum]

I would give Ozzy the space to enjoy his bone. The puppy needs to learn that certain things are off limits. Just as you are, hopefully, teaching the puppy some manners so was Ozzy.