Resource aggression

Yesterday, at the animal shelter, I met the most resource aggressive dog
of all times. He protected his food, is bedding, and his toys. He
growled ferociously, bit at me; and that one point, had his mouth around
my arm, just above my watch.

Handsome Jack Morrison...

That's not unusual in a kennel setting.

Where are you working with him, Michael?

Inside *his* kennel? Or in a training room?

How long has he been there?

If possible, get this little guy out of the kennel for a few days and
work with him in a more normal, quiet setting (e.g., at your home).

I assume he displays some pretty good bite inhibition, if he had his
mouth around your arm and yet didn't break skin, right?

Or did he?

At first, I wasn't sure that you should be in the adoption area, but
then I realized that is growling would turn most people way and that we

Handsome Jack Morrison...

[...]

And "growling" appears to be a typical male Westie trait, no? And I
would have to assume that being confined to a kennel, with things to
"guard," etc., would probably act to encourage even more "growling."

Again, take him home with you for a few days. If that produces a big
change in his behavior (for the better, of course), you can be pretty
certain that his "aggression" is mostly related to being confined,
etc. That shouldn't suggest that he may not still require some work,
but you'll get a better idea of what his true temperament is.

would probably not have a bite case on our hands. I spent some time
with him and seemed to have made a little bit progress, which I plan to
continue today.

You might chuckle, when I tell you that the dog was a West Highland
Terrier. :-)

William Robb...

I had a Welsh Terrier in my last good manner class who tended to use his
teeth before he'd thought things through.

I usually don't waste my time on little fluffy dogs like this, because
there's always someone wanting them, but this little dog needs some
grooming and other attention. Believe it or not, he arrived at the
shelter with no collar, no tag of course and no microchip. Sometimes, I
hope that such unworthy owners don't come looking for their dog. I
don't consider his bad behavior to be his fault, but I do hope that I
can get him to mellow out some.

Toni...

No matter what progress you make, I would definitely like to see a "no
children" note on this dog.
Any dog that possessive isn't safe around kids.

Handsome Jack Morrison...

Small children are seldom a good match for any small terrier, no?

Toni...

Maybe, maybe not. Westies are pretty popular family dogs around here- they
are small, white, and energetic.

But there is no way I will ever assume that families wandering an animal
shelter have any sort of clue about what sort of dog would be a good match.
They just go for whatever the kid points at.

Michael A. Ball...

I mentioned it to the shelter staff, but had to leave immediately. I'm
going to go check to see if it is still in the public area.

If it is, I'll suggest the "no kids" note.

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Play with fire! Zildjan drum sticks

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A dog's life is too short; their only fault really.