Originally Posted by Shell81

Good topic! I am interested to see the replies, I've never had a dog with any type of possession aggression either. I also know what to look for, but would love to read others replies.

Bruce lets me take things from him, his own things and things he shouldn't have. He could care less, I'm trying to show him that it's not a bad thing when I take things from him. That said he did manage to score a piece of bagel with butter that my daughter dropped a couple days ago, and when I went to take it away I got a little growl from him (could have been a play growl he IS very mouthy, but I didn't want to ignore it). I took it, showed him what I expected from him and that was that.

Hearing other people's suggestions on dealing with the very first signs of it would be great!

Originally Posted by Rouleaux

Same here! I have never had this experience, and although I know what to look for I would love to hear others experiences and share with the rest of the class. Rou plays "keep away" with toys, but enjoys playing tug with other dogs. I have experienced resource guarding while dog sitting and at the dog park, but not with dobies specifically.

I haven't seen this posted since I joined DT.

Hopefully we can all get "schooled"!

Originally Posted by Rouleaux

I am a tech too, and as in your experience, mine is minimal.

Originally Posted by Beaumont67

bite inhibition:
I teach my young puppy to bite me first...if biting my hand has little or no consequence, they effectively slow down on hard biting.
And show them that their biting has absolutely zero effect on hurting me, I am their super human in strength.
As a husband I do this with the new pup, so my wife does not have to go through the pain of getting bit hard.

With a pup, I slide 2 fingers behind the dogs back teeth molars, between their softer gum area, and let the dog have an initial hay-day clamping down on me as hard as possible for them.
I am just sitting there, calm & cool as a "cucumber"...just talking in a nice soft normal voice.
- the dog quickly things, WTF...this person has strength and leadership that I need to respect (he just proved it), moving forward...much like the qualities my dober mom had
- since I can't hurt this owners human hand, its not much fun any longer...pup thinks, just reminding me of my weakness
Early soft bite training and muzzle playing, at the youngest age works fast and when the dobe matures with a bite strength of 2000/sq. inch. - they never show it off with loved ones or ever realize the strength they grow into / instead remember the early biting, they could never conquer...and never will.

I also bate the dobe with the tip of my index finger (in fun), to get snapped at (over & over), and laugh my head off, when their mouth is snapping shut on thin air...again, pup just learned, this owner is fun and impossible to ever overtake.

I call my bite work "fight night" and often will do some while settling in the master bed together, for a few minutes.
Even my son's little YorkiePoo will soft bite my hand, when I wake up...I taught him these games to.
I also play lots of tug, and the dogs always wins...while they figure out, Dad let them win eventually (building drive, much eye focus in fun).
- so I do a multiple of play game, to teach acceptable & fun controlled mouthing / that is why I don't avoid, ignore &/or redirect
- I change the behavior in the real bite (when first displayed), and results are speedy and most effective, for the life of the dog
(obviously, easier to do the above, from day1 with a puppy...instead of after it gets big & strong)
With practice - Dogs can learn "you don't bite the hand that feeds them !!