dog showing his teeth

[zzxxee]

if my dog has something in his mouth occasionally lets go sometimes he snarls and shows his teeth im scared he may bite someone how can i get him to stop?

[andy-hughes]

Your dog is showing instinctive guarding instincts - he has something, he doesn;t want to let it go, so keep off.

As his 'pack leader' he must learn to give up what ever he has to you.

If he growls, take it, if he snaps, yell, or smack, which ever snction he understands.

Each time he has something, slowly advance, and make it clear that you are going to take it. Contibue your snaction until he gives it up without protest, then praise him lavishly, and so on, until he understands that for you, he will give up what he is holding.

If anyone else ie stupid enough to try and take something out of the mouth of a dog they don;t know, you should warn them that he may bite, and it's difficult to blame him because he is protecting what is his, and by default, yours.

[sandmaster]

I agree with Andy. You must be pack leader. Next time he growls a harsh word and a tap will make him realise he has more to lose than you.
When ours were puppies we would give them their feed bowls, and as soon as they started eating we took them back. Just for a few seconds - and then we gave them back. We only had to do it a few times and they soon accepted we were not depriving them - just making a point. We never had any trouble with them.

[zzxxee]

thank you both for the advice i will put it into practice and see what happens

[fredpuli47]

Absolutely! And don't wait, because the sooner he knows a) you're his boss and b) no serious ill comes of your taking it, the better.He'll look both puzzled and anxious at first, but that's learning.
After all, he wouldn't have tried that for long with his own dad or mum,or pack leader, were they minded to take it !.In your case, he'll learn that he's not supposed to growl and that nothing is lost by being amenable.

[kita1]

Sorry, but I totally disagree.

If you take something out of a dogs mouth that he is guarding then when he growls or snarls at you - you smack him? You will almost certainly escalate the aggression and get bitten in the process.

All you are doing is proving to the dog that he was correct in trying to guard the object, as you take it away every time! Next time he will use more force and more aggression - after all you did not take any notice the first time.

It is far better to get something the dog REALLY wants, a treat, a ball or toy etc. Show him what you have got and 'exchange' your object for his.

If my dog has a bone say, and I want to remove it. I get something he really loves (a piece of chicken etc.), show him it and call him away from the bone and give him the treat. Then I remove the bone when he is away from it.

Result, no confrontation, no aggression and I don't risk getting bitten.

I know what I would do if someone put my meal down in front of me when I was starving - then they immediately took it away again!!!

It is not about being 'pack leader' or being dominant over your dog, after all in a wolf pack pups and subordinate wolves will take food out of the mouth of a higher ranking wolf.

[zzxxee]

sorry kita you were ment to get 3 stars not one great advice

[kita1]

This explains it in more detail:

http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/resource-gua rding/

[andy-hughes]

I think we wil have to agree to differ on this kita1.

Interesting though, that you advise how upset you would be if a meal was taken away from you - and then link to evidence that starts off by saying that dogs are not humans, and should not be regarded or treated as such, and that comparisons of behaviour are erroneous.

[kita1]

I did not intend to use my reaction to food being taken away as a direct comparison to a dog.

I was simply pointing out that any living creature who was hungrey and constantly had food given to it then immediately had the food taken away would get justifiably angry and would react in a very negative way in order to stop the food being taken away the next time.

The same would apply to a cat/rat/dog/human - in fact any animal that eats food. Every living creature will fight for food if it has to.

[carmalee]

think what will help a lot is if you establish just who is alpha in the house. always make sure you go through doors first, when he in his basket (carefully) remove him and stand in it to prove you are boss. when he wants to play, ignore him then instgate play time when you feel it appropriate. it should always be your call whatever happens. another good way to help with food, guarding aggression is to give him lots of toys, bones et available all the time thereby diminishing their value. be interested to know the outcome