Quote:
Originally Posted by Teresa Ford  Guarding Behavior
I don't know if you ever watched Victoria the trainer on TV, but we use the same method to stop guarding behavior. You should be the one to correct her. If you are sitting when she goes on guard, put her on the floor immediately with a firm word cue like 'NO', 'Enough', or 'Stop It.' Use the same word cue every time. If you are standing or walking, put your self between her and the person she is barking/ charging at and if possible make eye contact with her and give the word cue you have chosen firmly. It is ok to clap, stomp a foot, or point at her when you give the cue word if that feels natural to you. I am so glad you are taking charge and changing this behavior before it escalates into a real nipping / guarding problem. If you need more suggestions feel free to PM me. Hope this helps, T |
Agree with Teresa.
You are the one who has the say about how people or other animals behave around you and not your dogs - even precious little Joel. Disagree with unwanted behavior in the manner described and re-establish your leadership with little Joel. I would read up on the
Nothing In Life Is Free methods of establishing leadership with a dog on Google and start using those if disagreeing with him doesn't work, though usually it does. Dogs with strong leaders usually don't do this kind of thing unless another dog is suddenly barking or aggressing toward their owner, then some may react out of habit. But a strong leader just has to point at them or say "No"/Enough"/"Uh Oh" to their dog & it will back off, letting the leader handle the situation. Most but not all dogs go through a phase or two like this and there are others about in the house.