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So some of you may have seen my posts in the past about my dog, Pax. I had a behaviorist come out eventually and she basically patted me on the back for my good work and told me to keep it up... haha But I wanted to share my small victories! When I first moved into my new place, Pax was relentless and 10x worse about his guarding. It went from only guarding when food was in a bowl, to guarding places he'd eaten, guarding water, guarding toys, and guarding me. I would like to say that he's all but cured! Obviously they don't eat together, but he no longer excessively guards toys, and he doesn't overreact to little things either.
Before, he would immediately explode after a short warning. So if Huck came too close to my room, Pax would give a mean look and pounce. But now, if he gives a mean look, he looks immediately to me for direction, which I love. I have practiced breaking their play sessions up and now all I have to do is call "hey" and they break up for a yummy treat.
Today, Pax snuck his antler out of my room and into the living room, but no altercation occurred and no guarding. Huck has learned to give him space, but Pax is also less anxious about guarding. All I had to do was tell Huck to go to his place (bed) and tell pax to leave the antler while I put it away, and nothing bad happened.
To "fix" the room/area guarding, I made it so Pax has to be invited into the kitchen (where Huck is fed) and Huck in turn has to be invited into my room (where Pax is fed) otherwise they're not allowed inside. It has made Pax relax around my room knowing Huck can't just barge inside. The toys are always monitored, and they have to chew their own stuff on their own beds. No one is allowed to share a toy. I think the structure of making them go to their 'places' has also relaxed Pax, knowing that Huck has to stay where he is and won't steal his toy.
All in all, I'm really proud of Pax. He started out at 10 weeks really possessive and defensive, similar to this puppy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIt_yj893qU
I had brought him home like that, so I'm not 100% what caused him to be that way, but I've sure worked hard since then to help him overcome it.
~~~~~~
NOW onto CGC. Pax passed his CGC test a couple months back, and now I feel a bit aimless on what to work on now. Does anyone have any suggestions? Whether it's titles to strive for or particular training or rallies? Maybe tricks? Let me know!!
Before, he would immediately explode after a short warning. So if Huck came too close to my room, Pax would give a mean look and pounce. But now, if he gives a mean look, he looks immediately to me for direction, which I love. I have practiced breaking their play sessions up and now all I have to do is call "hey" and they break up for a yummy treat.
Today, Pax snuck his antler out of my room and into the living room, but no altercation occurred and no guarding. Huck has learned to give him space, but Pax is also less anxious about guarding. All I had to do was tell Huck to go to his place (bed) and tell pax to leave the antler while I put it away, and nothing bad happened.
To "fix" the room/area guarding, I made it so Pax has to be invited into the kitchen (where Huck is fed) and Huck in turn has to be invited into my room (where Pax is fed) otherwise they're not allowed inside. It has made Pax relax around my room knowing Huck can't just barge inside. The toys are always monitored, and they have to chew their own stuff on their own beds. No one is allowed to share a toy. I think the structure of making them go to their 'places' has also relaxed Pax, knowing that Huck has to stay where he is and won't steal his toy.
All in all, I'm really proud of Pax. He started out at 10 weeks really possessive and defensive, similar to this puppy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIt_yj893qU
I had brought him home like that, so I'm not 100% what caused him to be that way, but I've sure worked hard since then to help him overcome it.
~~~~~~
NOW onto CGC. Pax passed his CGC test a couple months back, and now I feel a bit aimless on what to work on now. Does anyone have any suggestions? Whether it's titles to strive for or particular training or rallies? Maybe tricks? Let me know!!
