Wolfie is Protective of His Food and a Little Aggressive

It is kind of strange.  Wolfie is normally a great dog, but sometimes he gets protective and aggressive with his food.  I dont want this to continue because I dont want anyone go get hurt by mistake.  What can I do to help Wolfie over this?

Aggression with any animal is not a great thing.  The good news that we can offer with canine food aggression is that we have a clear set of actions that can be taken to minimize or eliminate this issue.  We first have to think about the reasons Wolfie might be food aggressive and/or possessive.  

If Wolfie was a stray or a rescue, that could naturally cause possessive aggressive actions regarding food.  In this case, his food was a limited resource that was critical to his safety and health.  Naturally, he would act in such a manner to protect such an asset.  If Wolfie was starved intentionally or through neglect, that could also be a cause for his aggressive and/or possessive attitude towards food.  In this instance, the root cause could stem from poor nutrition.  

So what can we do to alleviate Wolfies food aggression?  There are several actions that you can immediately perform.  Lets discuss some of them now:

• Be sure you are the one who decides when mealtime will take place.  If Wolfie can boss you into feeding him when he wants, he will not see you as the sole provider of the food.  He will not recognize that you are not the one responsible for his well being.
• Try scatter-feeding Wolfie.  Take his food and scatter it on the ground or in the yard.  He now is focused on grazing across a large area and not protecting an exact spot.  Hide some food behind a chair or under a plant so that it will take extra time to find it.
• Teach Wolfie basic obedience such as "leave it", "stay", and "wait".  Exercise these commands during feeding time or even when giving him a little treat.  This will direct Wolfies focus to you as the provider of food.  It will also direct him to wait until you allow him to take the treat or have his dinner.
• If you need Wolfie to move away from his food, never directly approach him and his food bowl.  This is a naturally aggressive act and might trigger Wolfie to respond. Call Wolfie to you.  You are redirecting his attention to you and when Wolfie responds, you are enforcing that you are his care giver.  The food is not as important as obeying you.
• If needed, use the leash when feeding.  This will help you redirect him away from the food, if needed, without becoming physical.
• Never feed Wolfie in a corner.  This limits his options if anyone approaches him and also heightens any aggressive or protective tendencies he still may have.
• If you have multiple dogs, feed them separately until you can resolve the food issue.  Introduce them back together one at a time.  Always be present and between them to assure them that you are the provider and you will guarantee that they all have the nutrition they need.

When there is an issue with any form of canine aggressive/possessive behavior, the important point is to take it slow.  You are setting the scene to allow Wolfie to come to the conclusion that everything is fine and he is safe.  He needs to learn this at his own pace and in an environment where he has the ability to learn.  This is not set on a specific time table.

If you need additional information on anything we have discussed, please feel free to go to our web site for more information or to gain our direct contact information: South Florida Dog Trainers. 

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Aggressive Dog Behavior Putting Your Dog In His Place and You In Your Place

Does your dog have aggressive dog behavior? Is he dominant? Is he demanding? Does he want his way all the time? Is his behavior annoying and embarrassing? Does he stress you out?

Aggressive dog behavior can take many forms. Of course, there are some dogs that are so aggressive that they are a real danger. I have known big dogs that have attacked even their owner and killed them, because of untreated dog aggression. This was not a dog that had ever attacked his owner before, but he did show some signs of aggression.

Aggressive dog behavior will escalate over time. So what can be seen as insignificant signs of aggression should not be overlooked. You should put an end to it the sooner the better. Don’t wait until it gets worse, or until there is a terrible accident.

Always be aware of signs of aggression, so you can do something about it. Here are some signs of aggression, which are pretty common:

• Barking and growling
• Fighting with other dogs
• Whining and “talking” to get their way
• Nudging you so you will do something, like petting them
• Pulling you when you are walking them, and walking ahead of you
• Being demanding and willful
  
  

When a dog thinks he can get away with his demands, he thinks he is the leader. And as a leader, he is the one who does what he wants. His behavior can grow more and more aggressive and he can become dangerous.

In order to change his aggressive dog behavior you need help. You need help for the dog and for yourself, as you will also need to be trained to be a leader and take charge. You will have to learn how to effectively establish yourself as the leader of the pack.

You can hire a dog trainer, but besides being expensive, they only train the dog. You need a method which will help both you and your dog. Your dog has to learn to become submissive and you have to learn to become a leader. So each one has to take their rightful place in this relationship, and this way you will have a much more rewarding relationship which you will be able to enjoy much more.

Here is the #1 recommended method of dog training which has helped hundreds of thousands with their dog’s aggressive behavior.

This method is guaranteed to help you and your dog with his aggressive dog behavior.

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BSL and Service Dogs

I have a really bad feeling that any city, county, state or country that has enacted, or will enact BSL  (Breed Specific Legislation) in the future, will start seeing a huge increase in "service dogs," and theyre gonna be pit bulls! Besides being morally corrupt, and completely disgraceful, its also against the law and a HUGE federal violation to impersonate a disabled person for the purpose of having a service dog; nevertheless, I think I can speak for many, many people in saying that there are A LOT of people in this country, and others, that fit this description.  Many more cities, and counties are learning more and more about pit bulls.  Not to mention the fact that they continue to maul, maim and kill more people and other animals than all other dog breeds combined.  Legislators are learning, and the people are getting tired of it.   More and more places are starting to discuss and enact BSL, which is leading those morally corrupt and disgraceful people to look for new ways to get around the law.  Yup, the perfect way to keep your pit bull, is to impersonate a disabled person and try to get your dog certified as a "service dog." Cmon pit bull owners, we know what youre doing. We may be disabled, but were NOT stupid!!!  Be advised, you morally corrupt and disgraceful people, the ADA and the Federal Government are also not stupid and are well aware of it....and there will SOON come a time when you all will be outed.  There will soon be a Federal Law enacted that will prohibit you from doing what youre doing! As it stands, the ADA is there for the purpose of protecting the disabled, and you, who try to FAKE your dogs certification as a "service dog" will soon pay the price.  Make no mistake!

Heres a quote I found online in regards to this topic. Frightening, isnt it?!

"As far as Im concerned, this is a loophole! Im planning on having all the BSL breeds in our rescue CGC and TDI certified. By federal law, no one is allowed to ask you for proof that the dog you have it a therapy dog. If they do you can sue them under ADA law. And all you need is a doctor willing to say you get stressed in public and need your dog to help you relax. That makes your dog a therapy dog. Done.


And now according to federal law, no city or state is allowed to ban your dog, regardless of breed, if its a therapy dog!!   Take that you brainless BSL supporting morons!!"


I wont go into why this person is a complete idiot, and totally ignorant of the law....well keep that between us.  If you know the law, you know why this will NOT work for this person.  She eventually decides to actually read the ADA regs and figures out why this wont work, but rest assured, there are many morally corrupt, disgraceful scumbags out there impersonating the disabled for this very reason. Watch out for them, and when you see them, REPORT THEM!!!

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Managing Your Puppy’s Play with Other Puppies

We have had our very first puppy for about a month now and I am starting to let him play with neighbor puppies and other dogs.  Sometimes it looks like they are really trying to hurt each other.  How do I know they are just playing or if something bad is happening?

Socialization is a very important part of your puppy’s life experience.  Your puppy’s play with other dogs and puppies allows him to reinforce and establish his communication skills, canine interaction, and physical well being. 

The one thing that you have to understand is that your puppy lives in a “canine world” of absolutes and clear social roles.  There is the leader and there are the followers.  There are things you can do and things you can’t do.  Everything is absolute and unambiguous.  These are the types of games that puppies play in order to build experience and understand their social experience.

Puppies play games such as:

•  “Follow the Leader” where the leader is chased by the rest of the puppies (the pack).  Eventually the leader stops and a new leader takes over.  That puppy now takes off with a flash while the rest of the group chases him. 
• Many times two puppies will play “Tag, You’re It!” where one chases the other until the follower jumps on the leader and sometimes gives a little nip.  The act of “tagging” exchanges roles where the leader becomes the follower and the follower becomes the leader.
• “King of the Hill” is another game that puppies play where one puppy gets to the top of something (like a chair) and defends it by posturing, nipping, and barking.  The other puppies might challenge by getting close, but they will always back off.  Eventually the puppy on top will jump off and a new puppy will become the leader or “king”.

Even though these are all activities that demonstrate dominance or submission, they are still only games.  Just like we used to play games like Cowboys and Indians, we understood that they were just games.  Our puppies also understand that these are just games.  After about thirty or forty minutes, they will all be drinking out of the same water bowl and then fall asleep, exhausted, by each other.   

So we should encourage and let our puppies play these games.  With this said, there are a few precautions that we should take to make sure that everything stays safe:

• Have puppies of the same size play with each other.  When a big puppy rushes up to a small puppy, it might scare and intimidate the smaller.  This could create a fearful little dog that might later become dog aggressive.
• We suggest playing outside in an enclosed, grassy area.  This allows them the most freedom to run and not “get into trouble”.
• If one puppy is becoming fearful (tail between legs), remove him from the main play area.  Let him watch from a safe distance and allow him to decide if and when he might want to join the group.
• Watch the puppies very closely.  If any puppy is constantly jumping on another and the other is whining, growling, or nipping with no release, the play has escalated too far.  It is now time to separate the two for five minutes.  If they are calm after that, resume play.
• Always have water available.  This allows for proper hydration and provides for a “quick break” in the games.

We all want to be good “doggie parents” and to allow our puppies to become well socialized.  Allowing our puppies to play together is a large part of the equation.  Unfortunately the line between exuberant, healthy play and aggressive bullying is quite fine.  If you are ever unsure about a situation, remove your puppy and let things start again.  If you have any questions, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Home From Vacation

     Well, we made it back home from our vacation out of state and I have to say, Jade was an absolute CHAMP! We had almost no problems whatsoever, except for one small one that was resolved easily and quickly.  We drove for 8 long hours to get to Santa Fe, and Jade laid in the back seat, without a peep the whole way! She didnt complain one time! I was very proud of her.  We stopped every hour and a half to two hours, and let her out to potty, get some gas, eat lunch, etc.  She was always happy to get out of the car, and we could tell she wasnt too happy to get back in when the break was over, but she did it, without complaint.  What a great dog! We came home the same way; an 8 hour car ride, and Jade didnt make a whimper.  So Ill tell you about a few of our experiences along the way....
     We stopped in Lordsburg to have lunch, a couple of hours into our trip. We all went into the restaurant, and Jade went straight under the table and did an immediate down/stay, as always.  A few people talked to us about her, as per usual, saying that "shes such a good looking dog....where did you get her trained," etc.  One couple were just going on and on about her, asking about her training and saying what a well-behaved dog she is, etc.  I always welcome questions about her training, and Im always happy about educating others on the use and training of service dogs.  I tell what I know.  When the waitress came over to our table, she said that she was amazed at how well-behaved Jade was.  I said, "Well, shes a service dog, and is supposed to be well-behaved." She responded, "Oh you should see some of the other dogs that come in here; theyre terrible, they wont sit, they bark and act terrible." I couldnt believe that, so I asked her if they were service dogs, and she said they were! Wow!  A service dog is always supposed to be well-behaved and follow commands immediately, so I couldnt believe what I was hearing.  I was proud of Jade though.  I thought to myself that I must be a perfectionist then, because there are times that I dont think Jade is doing the best that she can do; but, she has bad days too. So having heard what the waitress said, I was amazed that someone would bring a "service dog" into a restaurant that wont even sit, or barks! Hard to believe. It also made me wonder if those were some of the dogs that people are passing as "service dogs" in order to take them everywhere with them, even though they havent been properly trained per ADA regs.
     We checked into the hotel without a hitch, and the girl behind the check-in counter just smiled at Jade, and didnt say a word. I wondered if she would, but Jade was wearing her service dog vest, and I was prepared if she said anything or asked any questions, but she didnt.  Jade never barked once inside the hotel.  She did, I confess, sleep on the bed with us the whole time, but we put a sleeping bag on the bed, so as not to get it too hairy. The only time anyone at the hotel said anything was the first morning we were there, and had come out to the lobby to have breakfast.  The manager came out and said, "Im sorry, maam, I cant allow your dog in the food area." So I simply responded, "Its ok, shes a service dog and is with me always for medical reasons."  The manager just looked for a minute, put her hand to her chin, and said, "Hmmm, service dog....ok." Then walked away.  No more problems after that.  I dont think she saw Jades vest, because Jade was lying quietly under the table.
     There was one time that Jade became protective and barked and snarled at some people outside of the hotel.  We were just outside the side door, and I was waiting for her to do her "potty," when a couple and their grown son came rushing out of the door, and startled the both of us pretty good.  Jade whipped around and barked and growled a bit, but got hold of herself pretty quick. I apologized to the couple.  I chalked it up as Jade being a bit nervous in a strange environment and getting startled as they came rushing out of the door pretty quickly, and loudly.  Other than that, as far as the hotel goes, no incidents, no barking, just a well-behaved service dog, doing her job.
     The one thing that frustrates me most is that Jade has a very difficult time with other dogs.  Shes not dog aggressive, but she is defensive.  Ive talked to my trainer about this, and weve worked on it many times in class, and sometimes it seems shes getting better, and other times, not so much.  I know its from the pit bull attack that she suffered, because she was never that way prior to the attack, and hasnt been the same since.  A lot of times, an attack by another dog can easily put your service dog out of work for these reasons, and others.  My trainer says that shes going to be fine because as a service dog, she doesnt need to play with, or really get along with other dogs, she just needs to be able to walk past them, and sit in the same room with them, without freaking out, which she does fine.  She just cannot handle another dog coming  up and sniffing her, especially in her face.  When that happens, Jade loses it, and I swear she becomes another dog.  She becomes so defensive, and it scares me.  She doesnt ever bite, but she makes a lot of noise, snarling, growling and barking, and goes after the other dog.  I hate this! I hate that that damned pit bull ruined my dog!!!! When it happens, I become very sad, depressed, discouraged, and needless to say, embarrassed for my dogs behavior.  My trainer says that no one is supposed to let their dog come into your dogs face anyway, its very rude behavior, but it does happen. It happens a lot actually, and then I always end up having to be the one to apologize and feel embarrassed, but they were the rude ones for letting their dog in Jades face.  Anyway, I digress....We went to visit a friend, at his recording studio, and he always has his dog with him.  Its a very innocent, and friendly dog.  We walked in, and the dog ran right up and got right in Jades face for a sniff...you can guess how it went from that point.  Yup, Jade lost it....and I ended up apologizing and feeling very embarrassed.  Jade was fine afterwards, just a bit excited.  The other dog, poor thing, ran with his tail between his legs and was put in another room.  I felt so bad, and kept apologizing, but the owner blew it off as no big deal.  I wish there was some way to fix Jade, but I cant take away what happened to her.
     That was the worst of the whole entire trip.  The rest was a breeze.  Jade was great, and was very helpful, bracing when I needed, picking up my cane several times, and anything I dropped, including my credit card off the tile floor.  (Not an easy feat).  She even did a great "visit" when I was feeling stressed.  She "visits" by putting her head in my lap when Im feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. It really helps to ground me, and she makes me pet her, which helps bring me back to reality.  So, overall, it was a great trip, Jade did a great job for being in a totally different and strange environment, and were all happy to be home.  Thanks for listening.

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Field Training At The Mall

     Jade and I had a field outing with the trainer yesterday and today we are attending the training class again. Since we went out of town, we missed a class and a field outing, so now we are making up for lost time.  No buggy though, I love spending this quality time with Jade, and she has a great time too.  Weve actually missed two weeks, since Jade was sick the week before and last week we were out of town. Jade had come down with an upper respiratory thing, which I believe she contracted from me, since Id been sick as well.  Who knows? The Vet said although there have been studies done on whether dogs contract our illnesses, they are not conclusive, so its still questionable.  Anyway, we are making up for lost time, and Jade is doing great.  Yesterday the field trainer met us at the mall, and we did some different things to see how Jade would do.  We got on and off a couple of elevators, and Jade was great.  Its just funny the way she looks at the floor when the elevator starts or stops moving.  :)  She just looks down at the floor, like shes thinking "why is the floor moving?" Its pretty funny.  She wore her harness yesterday and is doing great with it.  She knows the purpose of the harness now, and she understands it is for supporting me, bracing and  helping me with balance.  I can tell she understands this because of the way she uses the harness.  Shes such a champ! The trainer was impressed at how well she did at the mall, which is actually a pretty strange environment for her, as shes only been inside one other time.  
     People are usually pretty friendly when they see us together, and a lot of people ask questions about how she is being trained, how she helps me, etc.  Most people are good about it accepting us into their stores and restaurants, but there are some places that are not as service dog friendly, although they dont have a choice, really. I did talk to the trainer about the episode we had while on vacation, with the other dog that approached Jade nose to nose while she was working. We talked about Jades defensiveness with other dogs that get too close; although Jade is not always like that.  It really depends on the circumstances under which she is approached by other dogs.  The trainer and I agree that it has a lot to do with how I am reacting in that situation.  When that incident happened in Santa Fe, I remember the dog coming up to Jade and sniffing her nose, and me thinking "Oh my God, NO! Here we go again!" and tightening up on her leash.  That is most of the problem.  I know because weve had other instances just like this one, where I relaxed the leash, took a deep breath, and thought "Itll be ok," and it was! It really is amazing how much our dogs react to how we feel! The trainer really didnt issue any homework for Jade on this subject, but for me.  She told me to think of something that really helps me to relax, a happy thought, to use when this sort of thing happens, and to relax the leash.  Im sure shes right, and Ill have to work on that. 
     Otherwise, Jade did wonderfully at the mall, on the elevators, and with the trainer rolling suitcases in front of her, and dropping food on the floor in front of her (which she didnt touch).  It took a while for Jade to get that one.  :)  Jade is definitely motivated by food, as most Labs are. She learned not to touch any food that falls on the floor, and not eat anything unless its given to her by hand, and I okay it.  The training on this isnt over yet, though, were still working on it, but shes doing well.  I really want Jade to be a bomb proof service dog, but I do know that no dog is perfect, and they all have bad days.  She will have her certification test out in the public somewhere and I want her prepared to pass it with flying colors.
     The trainer and I also discussed those websites that are selling vests and such, in order for people to put on their dogs, and call them "service dogs," for the purpose of getting around the law.  My trainer expressed her disgust with these websites and the people who impersonate the disabled and have their dogs impersonate a service dog, for this purpose.  It really is a disgraceful act! A lot of studies have been done in the past about lawbreakers and criminals, and it turns out that most people do in fact, try their very best to obey the laws.  The people who do these sorts of things fit the definition of criminals, and definitely fit the definition of disgraceful! The laws on this are full of holes, and are very vague, and basically dont stop people who do this disgraceful practice, but the ADA regs are written that way for a reason...to protect the disabled.  Its hard to say what needs to be done in this case. 
     Jade did great at the mall, and the trainer was happy with her, as am I.  We will attend class today and catch her up on anything she missed.  Im betting that they want to work on Jades responses to loud noises again today.  Although Jade is definitely getting better with that, she still has some anxiety with a lot of prolonged loud noise.  She will get it though, I have faith.  She will get to the point that none of that bothers her anymore.  Lets hope it happens quickly. Thanks for listening.  


Here are some links below, that are great reads for anyone who just loves dogs in general.  Check them out!






If you love dogs, all kinds of dogs, and want to see what theyre doing for their people....check out this link below.

https://www.facebook.com/exploredogs?sk=wall

The story of Danny, A Service Dog Who Saved A Life

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/service-dog-saves-life-arizona-bethe-benne_n_1248293.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D132236

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Aggressive Dog Behavior Don’t Even Think of Letting Your Dog Get Away With It

Aggressive dog behavior is not always recognized. Many people only recognize the major aggression problems, but some smaller aggression in dogs goes by unnoticed or at least accepted. But dominant and alpha behavior in dogs should be corrected.

Dogs depend on humans for their food and to open doors for them, etc. But if the dog becomes demanding, then he feels he is the dominant one, and this is where dog aggression starts. If he is not stopped he will continue developing aggressive behavior over time, which can become a very serious problem.

Not all aggressive dogs bite or growl. They can have more subtle aggressive behavior, such as being stubborn and demanding. They might refuse to obey you and insist on getting their way. They might jump on your lap without being called, or nudge you to play with them. They might whine or bark at you when they want something. All these are signs of aggressive behavior.

Aggressive dog behavior, if left untreated, will develop over time. Your dog will become more and more dominant, and he might start acting out more aggressively. We all know that this is not only stressful, but dangerous as well. Dog attacks are not uncommon, and are known to happen with family dogs that have been in the family for years.

Dogs are supposed to obey your command and follow you, not the other way around. When a dog is making you do what he wants, there is something wrong with that picture. You have to become the leader again and put a stop to his aggressive dog behavior in order to avoid a major catastrophe. We love our dogs, and I cannot think of a worse scenario than if one of my dogs injured someone and I would have to give him up.

A dog trainer is very expensive. Also, the dog trainer will train your dog, but you need as much training as the dog, so you can learn how to become the dominant one. You need to learn how to regain the command of your dog, so he will recognize you as the leader.

Here is the #1 method I recommend that will really help you put an end to your dog’s aggressive behavior.

This method is guaranteed to help you and your dog with his aggressive dog behavior.

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Aggressive Dog Behavior You Better Take Charge of Your Dog if You Rather Be Safe Than Sorry

Aggressive dog behavior can be very dangerous. It should never be taken lightly. An aggressive dog is a dog that has become dominant and will continue to act out until he is properly trained to change his behavior.

Dog aggression does not happen overnight. Usually aggressive dogs become more aggressive with time. Aggressive dogs do not necessarily bite or growl, but they may exhibit other signs that demonstrate that the dog has become a dominant, alpha dog.

What are some common signs of aggressive dog behavior to watch out for?

1. A dog who is willful and stubborn. If a dog wants to get his way and doesn’t listen to you, he has become the leader.
   
   
2. A dog who runs ahead of you out the door and walks ahead of you on the leash. Humans should always be leading the way, if they are the leader in the relationship.
   
   

3. A dog that begs, nudges or barks for you to do what they want. This indicates that the dog believes you should do what he wants, instead of the other way around. Again, he has established himself as the leader.
   
   

4. A dog that jumps on your lap without being invited. The dog has taken possession of you; he believes he owns you and can do as he pleases with you. Even though a lot of people don’t believe this is aggression, a submissive dog will not jump on your lap until he is invited.
   
   

So how do you go about stopping aggressive dog behavior?

Besides being expensive, a dog trainer would train the dog, but would not help you to make the changes you need to make. In all the above situations, you can see that the dog has taken on the role of the leader, and you have become the submissive one. These role have to be reversed. The fact is that you need as much training as the dog. You will have to learn how to assume the role as his leader, and teach him that you are in charge.

Take action to correct aggressive dog behavior. Don’t wait until it is too late. Not only will your dog become more aggressive with time, but you can prevent a bad accident from happening. Don’t run the risk of having an aggressive dog injure you or someone else.

Here is the #1 recommended method of dog training which has helped hundreds of thousands with their dog’s aggressive behavior.

This method is guaranteed to help you and your dog with his aggressive dog behavior.

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