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Originally Posted by TeresaM  I have this very same issue with Gracie Ruth and Yogi. Yogi is very toy possessive. It doesn't matter that the exact same toy is laying right by him, he'll want the one that G has. We've been telling him no and moving him away from G when he goes after her toy. We'll offer him the other toy, which he rarely wants. It's been about 2 months now and he will totally leave her alone when she is playing with Piggy. He's still learning when she has "the bone" or Fish-Fish. But he is learning. I just have to say, Yogi, no. and he'll usually leave G alone. Of course I'm having to say it a bagillion times some nights.  Yesterday, after I said it, I noticed he was just laying down right in front of her, just staring at her. I'm not sure what fun it could be chewing on a toy with someone just staring at you, but at least he wasn't stealing it from her. If she leaves the toy then it's fair game and he can have it then. She's starting to learn she needs to take it with her to get a drink of water if she still wants it. 
Of course there are times that they are playing Keep Away on purpose and I won't stop that. The trick is to know when it's the game and when it's not.
As for the growling, if you question if it's a real growl or play, then I'd say step in and break it up. I can usually tell the difference in the tone with my 2. But if there is ever a question I usually just tell them to knock it off. |
I hope he gets it soon, he just doesn't seem to know boundaries with Sam, which is funny because he knows other boundaries we have set around the house (like if he walks down the hall to the bedrooms without us and we say "no" he will turn around back to the living room. He knows if we go to the garage he must wait until we tell him he can go with us in there before he walks through the doorway). so I guess there is hope but he is so holding out to have the alpha dog position in the house. I think we are struggling so much because no one is consistent with him except for me. DH thinks they are fine and my adult kids (who are living with us while going to college) don't always redirect him. I love my little guys but Harley truly tests my patience.