My Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is now 14 weeks old and today showed a side to her that she was yet to present!

Recently got her some dried springbok meat to chew on. This morning she was gnawing on the meat in the garden. I approached her in the attempt of removing it from her. She growled and snapped toward my hand.

Unimpressed with this reaction I have taken the meat away from her.

Is this behaviour acceptable? As master do I have the right to take her chew meat, meals etc from her as I choose?

With meals she always is made to wait , sit, be commanded when she can go to her food bowl. This she obeys with no issue.

The problem with just removing a treat/high value item, it that you increase its worth in the dogs eyes.

They will feel that items are going to be taken away, and can and do become more protective, so you could infact make matters worse.

Its far better to swap the item, rather than just it away. Resource guarding is common, but it should be dealt with before the dog becomes an adult.

Shes onnly a pup, and was given something really tasty for the first time, shes entitled to behave naturally, its just down to you to teach her that giving up items gets her something in return, and that she DOES get the item back.

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Knacker Lacquer - Adds Luster To Your Cluster

No it isn't acceptable, and you should be able to have control of your dog's eating habits. Food is such a primal instinct for a dog, that it's often the one point where they can be the most aggressive/protetive. That said, if you assert yourself as the dominant role and can have control over the dog at this time, it can mean you can have a great relationship with your pet. Dogs love you for leadership, as your seen as their pack leader.

Personally, I'd work with putting food in front of him and controlling his behaviour. Then when you allow him to eat, begin to put your hand on the bowl and take it away, wait until he's calm, then give it back. You may want to work with a muzzle in the early stages.

Food/resource guarding is perfectly normal and natural. As Nonnie says, you need to work on swapping items for items of higher value, until your dog automatically thinks that if you take something away from it, it will get something better.

It's nothing to do with dominance or pack structure, or how your dog sees you.

Teach your dog that you going near food bowls etc is a GOOD thing by adding stuff instead of taking it away.

By taking the meat away from her, you have taught her that she was right to become possessive about her meal because you DID in fact take it from her. You should be able to get past your mistake with practise though

Good logical answer, thanks.

Will put it into practice.

Good replies. I agree.

Mo

Muzzling a 14 week old PUPPY is good advice?

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Knacker Lacquer - Adds Luster To Your Cluster

Muzzling a 14 week old puppy is terrible advice. I'm guessing Moboyd didn't see that bit - or at least I'm hoping so!

If you have ever eaten biltong then the meat chews she has really look quite appetising and simliar. Quite tempted..ummm

Will update during the week with the replacing the treat 'value' method. I can see it working well. I wont be needing a muzzle as someone suggested as she has not bit me and I hope she would never dare do so.

My sister use to bite her dogs ear to discipline. Apparantly wild dogs would do it!! Not tried and don't intend to even though her dog is very obedient.

And no my sister is not ferrel.

She sounds lovely