Kubash16
Policy Enforcement
I have a dog that I am going to work towards making a service dog. I’m saving up for formal training, but while I’m waiting I want to start doing some basic training on my own.
I know getting him fixed will go a long way to calming him, I hope anyway. He will definitely be getting fixed soon. But for now, he is an awesome learner except for one area-he’s very protective/possessive.
He doesn’t do it over toys or food or anything like that. It’s over me and my niece. If I move anywhere in the house he’s automatically heeling and pretty much pressed against me. Out of the house it’s worse- he makes sure everyone stays at a distance by barking or growling. He’s never bitten anyone and I’ve actually had multiple people walk up to him while he’s doing this and all he does is stay between us and kisses them. But obviously that’s not acceptable behavior in a service dog. But I don’t want to lose it completely either, just calm it.
Another example, my niece and her family were over on Mother’s Day. My niece and her stepdad were sitting on the couch and he started tickling her. She shrieked of course, but laughing. She definitely wasn’t being hurt. Yet Thor bolted over there, got in between and growled at the stepdad. Didn’t bite or nip, but I have a feeling if pushed he would have. Again, not exactly acceptable. But I’m not sure how to correct this.
He doesn’t hate people, loves people actually. Any tips?
*** edited to add: I posted quite awhile ago about him being really anxious about me leaving, particularly after my hospital stay. I want to report, he’s been doing fantastic ?. He’s gotten a ton calmer about leaving/coming home. I can’t remember now who it was that suggested giving him extra attention/treats when leaving and ignoring for a bit when coming home-but I wanted to say THANK YOU!!!!
I know getting him fixed will go a long way to calming him, I hope anyway. He will definitely be getting fixed soon. But for now, he is an awesome learner except for one area-he’s very protective/possessive.
He doesn’t do it over toys or food or anything like that. It’s over me and my niece. If I move anywhere in the house he’s automatically heeling and pretty much pressed against me. Out of the house it’s worse- he makes sure everyone stays at a distance by barking or growling. He’s never bitten anyone and I’ve actually had multiple people walk up to him while he’s doing this and all he does is stay between us and kisses them. But obviously that’s not acceptable behavior in a service dog. But I don’t want to lose it completely either, just calm it.
Another example, my niece and her family were over on Mother’s Day. My niece and her stepdad were sitting on the couch and he started tickling her. She shrieked of course, but laughing. She definitely wasn’t being hurt. Yet Thor bolted over there, got in between and growled at the stepdad. Didn’t bite or nip, but I have a feeling if pushed he would have. Again, not exactly acceptable. But I’m not sure how to correct this.
He doesn’t hate people, loves people actually. Any tips?
*** edited to add: I posted quite awhile ago about him being really anxious about me leaving, particularly after my hospital stay. I want to report, he’s been doing fantastic ?. He’s gotten a ton calmer about leaving/coming home. I can’t remember now who it was that suggested giving him extra attention/treats when leaving and ignoring for a bit when coming home-but I wanted to say THANK YOU!!!!