My dog is possessive and aggressive towards other pets. What to do?

Question

I have a 2 year old mastiff/Shepard mix dog who has shown possesive aggressive behavior. She is possessive of certain toys, her food, the couch and the bed. She has lived with several cats and another dog since she was a puppy but has shown aggression towards them. I don't want to put her down. What do I do? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Hi there. Possessive aggression (also called resource guarding) is often very treatable with a good behavior modification plan, but I'm afraid it's a bit beyond the scope of what we can help you with in an online forum like this. I would strongly recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate Ruby in person and help you put together a detailed plan to work on the problem. In the meantime, do your best to avoid any situations that may provoke the aggressive behavior. This may also mean keeping her separated from the other pets in the household to keep everyone safe until you're able to meet with a professional who can help. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org

My dog is possessive and aggressive towards other pets. What to do?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?

My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?

Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?

My degu lost teeth after an accident. How can I feed him soft foods?

Share