Sudden Temperment Change

Q: We adopted a 6 month old aussie shepherd cross a few months ago. She's bright, happy and great with other dogs - but seems to have a bit of a temper with us sometimes. For example, when we try to brush her, she bares her teeth and growls - and sometimes even snaps. She also acts similarly when we get too close when she's eating, or when we try to take away a toy, etc. While she's never bitten any of us, we worry because we have two small kids (ages 6 & 8) and it seems like she's getting more temperamental as she feels more at home. What should we do?

A: Shannon Malmberg , of Zen Dog Training, responds: The issues you are describing in part fall under what we classify as "possessive aggression" or resource guarding. You are struggling with handling and restraint issues as well, since your dog does not tolerate grooming well. Both of these behavioural problems in a young dog are potentially extremely serious - especially in a household with young children. Dealing effectively with them involves a careful, long-term approach and a professional should be consulted in working through these issues.



Scolding or punishing behaviour like you've described is not recommended because the dog is already in a defensive state. Anything punitive you do will likely increase her defensiveness and also, her aggressive responses over time, so that they will occur earlier in the behaviour sequence. Instead, a methodical approach needs to be taken, one which establishes leadership on many levels and also desensatizes the dog to the notion that she needs to guard treasured items, lest they get taken away.



Solid obedience training needs to be a way of life for this dog and will be of great benefit long-term. Training establishes a strong human-dog relationship and teaches the dog to function as part of a team - that she has certain responsibilities and jobs to uphold. Obedience also teaches self-control and confidence - both characteristics essential for your puppy. I am always amazed by the huge strides in self-confidence my puppy takes when I focus seriously on her obedience work! You can literally see a young dog transform.



A second important step for your situation is to employ a solid "Nothing In Life Is Free" program. You can google this phrase and find a whole host of articles that discuss this concept. Basically we are expressing to the dog that WE humans own all the resources (yes, even their dog food) and that WE dole these resources out for good behaviour - the dog earns all that she gets. An excellent book for you to buy is Mine! by Jean Donaldson. It really is the definitive word on resource guarding for lay persons and breaks down a desensatization program that needs to be employed with your dog around food and treasured objects. Your dog needs to learn that she has nothing to fear from you approaching her food dish or her favourite toy, In fact, we want her to understand that we bring good things! I often throw bits of cheese and hot dogs into a puppy's food bowl while she is eating so the puppy comes to understand that hands reaching toward her bowl are a good thing! For a dog that is already guarding their food, a more careful approach needs to be taken: any from a number of strategies (ie. feeding the dog's kibble scattered on two large cookie sheets so there is no defined "space" for a dog to guard; or hand feeding) can be used to bring the conflict down in your dog. It is my belief that "once a resource guarder, always a resource guarder," so you will have to stay on top of this issue, most likely, for the life of your dog.



I teach puppies early on the grooming is a fact of life: bathing, brushing, nail clipping, ear and teeth examinations. This goes a long way in making puppies more comfortable with vet care and more serious medical attention. Getting control of your puppy's head (by putting a leash and a flat collar on her) is an essential first step before grooming can begin and then again, like her resource guarding with food and toys, a gradual approach must be taken - paired with lots of high-value treats (my favourite is beef heart) for showing self-control and calm energy.



The characteristics a puppy displays early in life are likely to be more pronounced as she grows into an adult dog. It is critical to get on top of these issues now with a multi-faceted approach that takes several angles and under the guidance of professional help.