I’m annoyed with myself, frustrated, worried and uncertain what to do. I’ve decided Hunter’s reluctance to drop certain balls or toys when retrieving is the start of resource guarding. I know why it’s happened which is why I’m annoyed with myself. I say the start of resource guarding because if I use a stern voice he will still drop the item and so far he still happily drops something he shouldn’t have which he’s always been good at from being a puppy and obviously I don’t want to loose that. I’m pretty sure the problem has been caused because of the way I’ve allowed other people to play with him ie chase when he has something in his mouth. Up to the last week or so it’s always been a particularly ball which if he had I’d have to take off him. He’d avoid me, move his head to try and stop me getting hold of it, keep tight hold when I got hold, occasionally growl and he’d also have a look of fear, for want of a better description, in his eyes. Today he did all this with a small soft dinosaur (why a dinosaur for a dog toy ?) the latest toy my cousin had bought him at her house. It seems to be toys/balls that really fit in his mouth. Indoors no problem dropping any of the banned items. In fact he’ll bring them to me purposely for a treat but not outside.
I’ve decided to stop chase games, remove all the toys he won’t release which unfortunately are the ones he retrieves best and only use his dummy to retrieve with. He’ll do a few retrieves for his dummy but it doesn’t keep his attention like the banned toys however hopefully if I persevere he’ll improve although it’s not the end of the world if he only does a few. It’s so frustrating and makes me feel mean because he loves those items and plays his own little games with them but I know I have to do something I just hope I’m not too late. I’d be grateful for any advice or suggestions.
I’ve decided to stop chase games, remove all the toys he won’t release which unfortunately are the ones he retrieves best and only use his dummy to retrieve with. He’ll do a few retrieves for his dummy but it doesn’t keep his attention like the banned toys however hopefully if I persevere he’ll improve although it’s not the end of the world if he only does a few. It’s so frustrating and makes me feel mean because he loves those items and plays his own little games with them but I know I have to do something I just hope I’m not too late. I’d be grateful for any advice or suggestions.
