Toy aggressive

[NYnurse]

Bacchus has been playing very well with other dogs of all shapes and sizes. Over the past week, he has had the new experience of a dog visiting his home. He plays well until his friend Puggles attempts to play with his toys. Bacchus begins to growl (the first time I'd ever heard him growl!), and removes his toy from Puggles. The solution at home has been to put the toy box out of reach. In other people's homes I have taken the toy from Bacchus, and corrected the growling with "no". If he seems really out of control I give him a 2 minute doggie time out. I praise him when he is playing approriately. Is it better just to remove the toys? Should I allow the toys and correct him in hopes that this behavior won't persist? Bacchus is 19wks now.

[phoebesmom]

I think it's normal for him to be possessive of his toys, and I would simply remove all of his personal stuff when he has friends over. If his friends are happy to share their toys with him when he is on a play-date, well, Bully (no pun intended) for them. :)

[Roland]

My puppy growls all the time. She even growls at her kibble. It is not aggression, it is just play. My friend's (harmless) Vizsla also growls at another dog (or human) to play. They like to play "Tug-of-war". The growl is a mock-challenge to get the toy way-not real aggression. However, if this is not what you are experiencing you may need a trainer. I can't really help you there. But I know you shouldn't ever correct a dog for growling. It is better that they growl a warning when they are upset, then that they bite without growling. Growling is the only way they have to communicate.

[gmacleod]

I wouldn't tolerate that sort of behaviour personally. It isn't play - it is resource guarding. And if the other dog doesn't listen to the warning growl (they're his toys after all) then you might just find someone gets bitten. If he can't play nicely, especially in someone else's home, then the toys need to go away.

Have you ever read "Mine! A guide to resource guarding in dogs" by Jean Donaldson? Could be a very useful book for you, I think. See here for info: http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB740

Other useful articles:
Guarding and Showing Aggression Over Resources: http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_ResourceGuarding.html
Resource guarding: http://www.napoleon.org.uk/training/thingguard.htm
Help for object guarding: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/objectguarding.htm
Teaching dogs it's OK to share: http://www.geocities.com/Augusta/2525/posses.htm