What do you do when the dog guards his bone? Has this happened to you? “I gave my puppy a new bone and he ran into another room to chew on it. When I got near him he growled and tried to bite me. I took the bone from him and put it away.”
It’s natural instinct https://www.dog.com/dog-articles/why-dogs-chew/1798/to protect treasures. Using the corrections his mother taught (https://archive.triblive.com/news/use-mother-dogs-technique-for-correcting-nipping-puppy/) him, the dog guards his bone so you leave him alone to enjoy it. Even though you weren’t planning to take the bone, he was afraid you would. So he growled and tried to bite you to keep it. But then you actually did take it, so he was right. Next time he thinks someone will take something from him he’ll try growling and biting again – even with the children!
Once he trusts you wont take it away for good, you can eliminate aggression when the dog guards his bones
There’s good news. You can take steps to eliminate a problem when the dog guards his bone. It boils down to trust. Teach him that you will give it right back. Begin by holding one end of a new chew that’s long enough to keep your hand at a distance. Allow him to chew on it while you continue to hold on. Tell him to let go. When he does praise him and give it right back. But continue to hold on to it. Ask him to let go one or two more times. Be sure he gets a good amount of time to chew so he gets enough enjoyment from the new bone.
You will have to take the bone at the end of the training session. You don’t want it hidden somewhere in the house to be guarded later. When you do take it, give your dog a really good treat in it’s place that he will finish eating right then and there. A day or two later get out the bone again and repeat the exercise. As you practice this exercise, your dog trusts that you will always give his treasure right back and the dog guards his bone less and less. Eventually he won’t feel the need to guard at all. Bones and other safe chews can actually become a helpful tool to teach your dog what he may and may not chew on.. https://pawsiloveyou.com/course/3minute-my-dog-destroyed-my-couch-how-to-stop-chewing/
CAUTION: If you have any concerns regarding aggression, seek training with a professional dog trainer. And be especially responsible to teach children https://pawsiloveyou.com/course/sheriff-sheldons-deputies-of-safety/ all the things they need to know to be safe around dogs. Dog lovers want to build a strong bond of mutual respect and trust with their best friend.