shepherd-licious

Hi all. I'm looking into a behaviourist for my german shepherd. She has some issues with resource guarding and walking on a lead. We are getting a new puppy in about 3 months and would like to start working on these issues before the new pup comes. If anyone can recomend any good behaviourists in the western suburbs that are reasonably priced (im a uni student) that would be great :)

This is not really an "instead" scenario. Resource guarding can be a serious problem in a multi-dog home and it's all well and good to avoid it, but management always comes unstuck eventually. It's not a simple problem to resolve on your own either. You might be an exceptionally good pet owner but I'd be more confident in your outcome with some one-on-one help. Patricia McConnell wrote a good book about resource guarding called "Mine!". Worth a look. im not disregarding a behvaiourist, and i am actually strongly considering it and have been looking into one. i said 'instead' as i am was after some other advice from people who may have had a similar situation to see what else they have done. i am not avoiding the situation - hence seeking advice. Sorry, I was just driving the point home :laugh: I guess you got my experience even though I wasn't specific. A lot of the dogs I've seen (as a behaviourist) have been resource guarders in one way or another. One of my previous dogs was a resource guarder. Although she was under control, my other dog was uncomfortable and it was stressful for him even though he was safe. Sometimes you can teach alternatives and stop unwanted behaviour, but it's too late and the relationship between the two dogs is already damaged. Best to get in early. No problem :) This was never an issue until, like i said, about 6 months ago when we were living with a friend for a short amount of time who had foster dogs coming and going. She has been getting better with 90% of things now we are out of that situation but the over-protective side hasnt really changed when there are other dogs involved, so i definitely want to start working on it before the new pup comes. thanks :)

This is not really an "instead" scenario. Resource guarding can be a serious problem in a multi-dog home and it's all well and good to avoid it, but management always comes unstuck eventually. It's not a simple problem to resolve on your own either. You might be an exceptionally good pet owner but I'd be more confident in your outcome with some one-on-one help. Patricia McConnell wrote a good book about resource guarding called "Mine!". Worth a look. im not disregarding a behvaiourist, and i am actually strongly considering it and have been looking into one. i said 'instead' as i am was after some other advice from people who may have had a similar situation to see what else they have done. i am not avoiding the situation - hence seeking advice.

Ok cool, We already take the ball off her and my partner puts it in his pocket when we are done, but i will try and extend what we do with some of your suggestions. thanks :)

How do you suggest teaching her that those things belong to me? She is 110% fine with me taking a ball, bone, food anything from her. She even drops the ball at the park so we can throw it again. What do you recomend?

Hi all. My 3 year old shepherd has recently started becoming protective over her ball and bones and food etc to the point of being aggressive - growling and snapping to tell other dogs 'no'. She was never like this until approx 6 months ago when living with a friend who had other dogs coming and going. At our home she is the most well behaved dog ever, and is getting better and better on the lead. she does pull, launch and bark on the lead also. my main reason for this post if to ask advice about introducing a new puppy. We are getting a new medium breed dog in about 3 months. Our shepherd is good with puppies and dogs, she plays with them and is fine cuddled up with them - its just when we are throwing the ball or when it comes to food. we are just curious on people opinions - should we get rid of the ball altogether when they are together, and only throw the ball to her if we take her to the park on her own and then walk them both together OR do we just let them sort it out, let her put the puppy in its place (if it gets to that - we dont know our puppy yet) and let them play together? she can quiet happily chase after a ball with another dog, its just sometimes she will growl at the other dog if they try to snatch it etc. so im just wondering what peoples thoughts are? p.s. i know most people will suggest a behaviourist, instead im after advice and if people have had similar experiences?