What
Joey is doing is resource guarding and the likelihood that this will change after he is neutered.
Now as to having him neutered yes it will help in the fact that he will not have those wonderful male hormones running through his veins and making it words but it not going to change what he got now. Neutering is to help stabilize the system so they do not have to handle the hormones rushes that just are not easy to do even in a dog without aggression concerns.
So what to do... trade... We like stealing things and it for attention and yes they are a concern for he could get hurt with these items.
If he was a toy work with him taking it and leaving it and dropping it.
So you give him his toy he really likes.. and say take it.... you take a treat or a toy of the same kind or better.... pass the toy to him..... if he drops the first you say drop it and give over the treat... now after the treat if it a treat pass back the toy he had.... if it a toy you are using just let him chew it and trade again..... with the treat you give back the toy and he has a win win he got the toy and the treat man great game..... You want him to think giving up what ever he has is a win win and the greatest game besides come.
Leave it come in after he drops something he should not have and you hold it and do not give it back but treat him or give him a toy.
Leave it is taught by dropping a food treat on the floor and using your foot to gentle block him from getting to it and every time he looks at you or steps back from it you give a treat ans say leave it.
The other method is to hold treat in hand and as he mugs you for it wait till he backs off hand and treat him with the other hand saying leave it.
Big important thing never let the dog have the leave it item... toss it out put it back in the bag but leave it is no never have.
Hope this helps.
JL |