Do YOU know what a REAL bone is?

[myswtghst]

Even if he finds a real bone that will last for years, will his dog chew on it for years? My dog gives up on the rawhide bones after the flavor wears out (I use the flat chews instead, because at least then they usually get finished.)

Exactly. Sunny (my mom's now 95-lb yellow lab), tends to get bored of bones rather quickly, and only seems to want to finish them if you pretend you want the bone, therefore making it "more interesting."

Also, to the OP, "dairybeveragebone" made me giggle eachtime I read it.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I'd just like to point out the title of this thread and the chosen avatar of its author.

coincidence?

It is a damn good thing I had swallowed my Pepsi when I read that.

[Saydrah]

I'd just like to point out the title of this thread and the chosen avatar of its author.

coincidence?

Hmm, should the subtitle after seeing my avi be, "...and Now You Know!"

Children's learning show theme tune optional.

RE: Resource Guarding (growls when the bone is taken away/approached)

This is not a dominance issue with MOST dogs. Very few dogs truly try to dominate their owners. Dominance gets used as a buzzword constantly these days- I blame Cesar Milan- when the real explanation is much simpler. Dog on the couch? You could say it's dominance, panic, and start fussing over whether or not you're the 'alpha' in the house, or you could realize that the couch is just quite comfortable and deal with it another way- big squishy pillows the dog rolls off of, a carpet runner on the couch when you're not home, a scat mat, a comfortable dog bed next to the couch... etc.

Resource guarding is a common behavioral problem that is almost universal in certain breeds of dogs. It is a sensible behavior for a dog. Dogs follow one rule in their lives: "DOGS DO WHAT WORKS." If you remember that, you can solve most any behavioral problem. Dogs only do what works, and in their minds, growling when you reach for their bone works because they keep the bone and you back off. They are not mentally able to connect that with the bone not being replaced later.

So how do you make resource guarding STOP working for your dog, and make giving up resources start working for him? It's actually fairly easy, though if your dog is seriously threatening a bite, you should work with a certified animal behaviorist. Implement a 'say please' program where your dog must perform a behavior to receive a resource. Start with a short sit for the food bowl put down on the floor, and move up to more complicated behaviors like a 30 second down-stay on the dog bed before you will hand over a toy. Second, start playing the trading game. Give the dog a toy that is less desirable- maybe a Kong- and then go get a rawhide or other MORE desirable toy. Command your dog to "Give!" the less desirable item, and offer the more desirable one in exchange. As soon as the less desirable toy gets dropped, offer the more desirable toy and pick up the less desirable one. Do this several times a day until the dog knows that "GIVE!" means that if he gives up what he has now, something better will come.

For dogs that growl when you come near the food bowl, follow the same steps but add one more at the end- start letting your dog sit-stay at the kitchen door while you put the food bowl on the floor, and let them see you pick it back up, add something REALLY TASTY, and put it back down- then let them eat. Then start picking it up as the dog is walking over, putting something great in it, and putting it back down. After a little while you should be able to remove the bowl while your dog is eating, add a special treat, and return the bowl.

I have a 3/4 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 1/4 Border Collie who has a natural tendency towards resource guarding (normal for Corgis), and by implementing these steps since his puppyhood, I have raised a dog who I can literally take treats out of his mouth. I can even play roughly with him so that he is barking and growling at me as I pretend to grab at his toy, and as soon as he sees my body language go from playtime to 'Okay, we're being serious now,' he will let me remove the toy from his mouth or will drop it on command. This never fails to impress when used as part of his trick routine like so:

Me: "Augustin really loves his stuffed animals, don't you Augustin?" (grab at stuffed animal)

Augustin: GROWL! BARK! GROWL! (he can sound very vicious if he tries, though he's cursed with cuteness and doesn't ever really convince anyone he's a mean doggie)

Me: "What if I traded you some broccoli for that stuffed animal?" (grab again)

Augustin: GROWL! BARK! GROWL!

Me: "Oh, fine, Augustin. You win. How about if I trade you some STEAK for that stuffed animal?" (body language change from playful to serious, Gus drops the toy and sits, audience does not notice change in posture and thinks the dog understands English)

</behaviorist>

[gunsage]

Do YOU know what a REAL bone is?

I used to play a TROM-bone, if that helps.