[FirstYorkie]

Hi Cooper Duke,

You are definitely not alone. What Cooper is doing is called "object guarding" and it's very common. The good news is that it is the most easily treated form of aggression.

If the only time Cooper does this is when he has an object that he shouldn't have, what you need to do is teach a "drop it" command. Basically this is done when he has a lower value object in his mouth that he isn't like to guard. Offer him a treat when he has something in his mouth. As he drops the object to reach for the treat, say "drop it" and give him the treat. Pick up what he has, look at it, and give it back. If he can't have it back, offer something better for him to chew or play with. Repeat a bazillion times, making making sure you give things back to him far more often than you take them away. If it's something he can chew on, when you pick it up, smear it with a little peanut butter or soft cheese and give it back. You want him to learn that dropping things on your command is a winning proposition for him!

Always, always, always give a treat for obeying the "drop it" command - it takes a huge amount of self-control for a dog to obey it; it goes against all natural instincts.

While he is learning "drop it", try very hard not to chase him and not to corner him. You will make him more defensive. Instead, try rolling treats (which you have nearby or on you at all times) beside him - as he turns his head to grab it, snatch the forbidden object. This is fair in the doggie world.

Alot of people feel that you have to establish dominance over the dog in these situations. I don't. What worked with Joey is training an alternate, incompatible behavior. He can't guard something if he's following a "drop it" command and getting a treat. We both win.