Lab Puppy Agression Issue

[Kelkari]

Went back to hand feeding yesterday. I gave him a Kong yesterday and when I went near him he growled at me. So using the broom and being safe, I took it away. Not sure if taking it away was the proper thing to do (any input here is appreciated), but I didn't want him to win and think it was his to guard or keep. His mouth is sooo much softer at taking food from my hands then it used to be thank goodness and he will sit and wait for me to give him the okay to take the food. I make him look at me off and on so that he remembers where the food is coming from. HOWEVER, today I tried to stroke his head in between and his lip lifted and body stiffened. I gave him a stern no and he seemed to give me an I'm sorry look, but his ears stayed back. Should I just keep hand feeding him for a week or so and then add the stroking or what do you recommend... So happy he is being better on some things, but frustrated on the other hand. Tried to feed him using a kong and refilling after it was empty and he sat and gave it back to me thinking that would be another way to feed him and he growled at me during that session when I tried to pat him...so confused, so I am sure he is too. Let me know any tips you have on how to work on this issue. I really do thank you MaxHollyNoah and KOPcaroline for your continued support and advice.

[MaxHollyNoah]

Hi Kelkari,

I understand you used a broom in order not to let Sullivan win when he had the Kong but it is a big "No-No"

What we want to accomplish here is to gain Sullivan's trust on you so you should not scare him away like that.

Instead, I would play an "exchange game" with him to get his Kong back. When he growls, just ignore him. Call him to you with a super tasty treat or a piece of cheese, ham, turkey, etc. that he would not usually get. When he comes to you with the Kong in his mouth, offer the treat. In order to eat the treat, he would drop the Kong. Pick it up right away as you give him the treat saying "Good boy!". Give him back the Kong and before he growls again, offer another treat. Don't offer a treat when he is growling because that will make him learn [Growl = get a treat] You can walk away with a treat and call him back. If he doesn't bring the Kong and he leaves it where it is, walk him back to the Kong with the super tasty treat in your hand. Pick up the Kong before you give him the treat. Repeat this a few times every day. Always finish the practice by you putting the Kong away and give him a treat

Food guarding or resource guarding (sometimes it can be sitting on the couch, or somebody he likes) is a result of him not trusting you 100%. Therefore he thinks he needs to guard his possesions. As you and Sullivan build bonding and trust with each other, he would learn that he doesn't need to be protective against you (he might still growl to strangers so it will take a while to correct that behavior altogether).

If the above "exchange game" doesn't work, you might not want to give him anything he would guard for the time being.

My youngest and smallest dog Daisy doesn't have a jaw as strong as her brother and sister so it took her a long time to eat the stuff in her Kong. The other two dogs finish theirs so quickly and just look at Daisy eating. They will never take anybody's food/treats even from our cats and Daisy knows that so she just keeps licking her Kong in front of them. Then, I ask her "Do you need any help?" she brings the Kong to me, knowing I can dig the treat out of the Kong. She knows she doesn't need to guard it from me, instead she knows she can get my help and she trusts me 100%. I am sure Sullivan will learn something like this if you keep using the "win-win" approach like the exchange game, not a broom, please.

Hand feeding Sullivan is a great idea. Your hand always brings something good to him

[Kelkari]

Thanks MaxHolly for your response...I was so upset at his growling...that I used the broom to block him from the Kong, but knew after the fact, it wasn't probably my best move. Sullivan is intimidating at now probably nearly 50 lbs. he gives a deep growl and went ridged. I should have thought about the exchange game and will start working on that again with him. He is definitely much improved from where he was and the hand feeding is a good start. Should I try to pet him while hand feeding? A day or so ago I got a raised lip when I did so. Did some stroking last night and this morning and didn't see that, but did keep it to a minimal and watched his body language. I praised him when he let me do it without any negative body reactions. I will definitely start working hard again on the "leave it" or "give" technicque as I know I have slacked off some lately, as my life has gotten even busier than usual. I am excited to have him on a lead with me in the living room...as long as I have kibble (saved from his meal) he is soo good and sits right next to me. Only problem is he sits at full attention, just waiting for a treat. He is soooo food driven that he doesn't relax and enjoy being with his pack...he is just eagerly waiting for a treat. Any ideas ?? Thanks so much for your continued advice and assistance. Sullivan is making progress and it is such a relief to see.

[KOPcaroline]

Hey Kelkari,

Sounds like you know what to do from here - with MHN's great suggestions and your plan to work more on "give", etc I think you'll see progress soon!

As far as trying to get Sullivan away from being so treat driven - start substituting things for treats - toys, and especially good pats and rubs. Work to put your hands on him more and more, so he learns that its an awesome feeling. This will help you two bond more as well.

If he's distracted by food to the point that he doesn't stay in a room with you for long - shut him in. I know it sounds like forced affection, but you need to do what it takes here to get him to appreciate other forms of treats besides the edible kind. I think overall your problems with him will decrease if you start upping the time you two spend together just relaxing and giving pats and playing. Try to take lots of mini breaks in your time at home to just have one on one time with him. I'm sure this will help you.

This applies to when you're hand feeding as well - I like that you are gradually trying to pet him while feeding him, I think its a good idea - especially since you're attentive enough to read his body language. I would definitely say keep it up!

[MaxHollyNoah]

Hi kelkari,

Humm, he raised lip to you when you were hand feeding and petting him? That's not nice

He already weighs 50 lbs. I know that is intimidating... We need to figure out how to correct that behavior without making him feel uncomfortable with you.

Does he get stiff or nervous when there is no food associated, does he gets aggressive only when there is food/treats/Kong, etc. involved?

Does he ever just lie down next to you relaxed? How does he do on his walks?

I would strongly recommend you take him to obedient classes. The reason why is that you will learn how to train your dog through those classes, as well as it will be a good opportunity for Sullivan to get socialized with other people. You will first need to talk to the instructor and explain his issues before enrolling him though.

It sounds like you are afraid of Sullivan since he has shown aggression to you, but he is also afraid of you because he sees your nervousness. Dogs like to have a confident leader so this is like a catch 22. As you become more confident, Sullivan will feel more secure and willing to obey you. That's why I would recommend you take classes with him.

In the mean time, try to use every opportunity as a training opportunity. For example, take some treats with you on his walk. As you walk him, call his name from time to time in a happy voice. As he turns to look at you, make him sit and give him a treat Throw in a couple of pets as he sits.

Does he like fetch? If he does, have him sit when he brings the ball back. Pet him or stroke his back, shake his paw before you through the ball again.

What is his routine to go to bed? Have him lie down on his bed and stroke him for a few minutes as you talk to him in a relaxing voice. Tell him you love him as many times and kiss him good night on the head. All these gestures are for him to get used to be touched by you. There is no food associated so I hope he would not get protective.

Anyway, interacting Sullivan throughout the day as much as possible. Let us know how it goes.

As for him being food driven, start reward him every other time, or alternate treat and praise. Also, don't show him treats as you give him commands. In other words, tell him to "sit" and if he sits say "Yes! Good boy. Now stay!" and go to the treat jar and bring a treat and give it to him. This way, he can also practice "Stay" and he will learn "Sit" without a treat. In fact, most of dogs who knows a "Sit" command automatically sit when they come to you as if it is the default

But also remember that being food driven means that he has a good potential for training. Good luck