[storms_mum]

Hi i'm new to the forum and have a 2 year old male siberian husky and basically i need some urgent help, because i am at my wits end

heres the problem:
We have had storm right from a pup and he has always had a problem with "guarding his food". As a pup he was a bit viscious and i was advised by my vet to act as his mother and get him by the scruff of his neck and put him on his back to make him surrender untill he stopped biting etc. well it worked to a certain extent!. But if he got hold of something he shouldnt have, ie: something from the bin or an item of clothing he would guard it and go for me when i went to take it off him. It's always been a problem, but he's never bit me. Until now..

The other day he got hold of a bag which food had been in, and he tends to sleep under our kitchen sink, so to wash up he's basically in between your legs LOL. well he had this bag and i'm washing up and the bag moved near my leg and so he went to grab it back and caught my jeans in his mouth, so i put my hand down to take my jeans from his mouth and he bit my arm.. He didn't draw blood but my arm is black and blue. He wouldn't give the bag up, and i ended up have to try and get his muzzle on him to take the bag from him. Eventually i sorted it. But the fact is he bit me. And he didn't look bad about it. Then he pinched the french stick the next day and went for me again.

Now what am i to do?? He takes books and rips them up, he takes clothes and gaurds them, u name it he;'ll take it! even potatoes!!!!

Also i have a 1yr old daughter, and so this is why this is so important that i stop this now! I realise that he is feeling pushed out, but what do i do?

I have also got rid of the bin because of him and his gaurding.

If i cannot stop this i am going to have to let storm go and that is going to be the worst thing ever because i love him so much!

We have a massive secure front garden and he spends most of the day out there, he wont come in and spend time with us, he howls to get out. When i get him in i have to muzzle him and carry him in with him growling at me every time!

He only wants fussing when he wants it. Yet if there;s food about he'll do every command i give him ie:sit wait leave paw etc.

What do you all think, i appreciate all advice xx

[shanasdad]

YOU SHOULD'VE DID WHAT I DID TO SHANA WHICH IS CALLED "MOUNTING" THAT'S BASICALLY LETTING A DOG KNOW WHO'S MASTER YOU SHOULD'VE DONE THIS FROM THE BEGINNING SO THAT YOU WOULD'NT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM NOW..... YOU HOLD THE DOG DOWN ON IT'S BACK AND LET IT WHINE ALL THAT IT WANTS TO AND TRY TO BITE YOU IF NECESSARY TO TRY TO GET UP BUT YOU DON'T BUDGE YOU'VE GOT TO LET HIM KNOW THAT YOU ARE IT'S MASTER IF YOU DON'T DO THIS IT'S GONNA BE TOO LATE LATER ON. ALSO GET THE BOOK CALLED" SIBERIAN HUSKIES forDUMMIES" IT SHOULD HELP FOR SHANA WAS AN ALPHA FEMALE DOG AND I BROKE HER UP FROM GROWLING AT DADDY AND SHE'S A BETTER DOG FOR IT (PLUS I HAD HER SPEYED) YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GET YOUR DOG NEUTERED BEFORE HE CALMES DOWN. HOPE THAT THIS LITTLE BIT OF IMFORMATION HELPS YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT ME ON: http://www.dogster.com/?331343

[Jenny Elliott]

Oh no no no. I'm sorry, but holding a dog down on his back and basically forcing a submissive posture will not work and is nothing more than confusing and cruel to the dog. This behaviour will result in one of two things depending on your dog's nature - he'll either submit because he's scared of you or he'll fight because he's got fed up with being bullied and learnt that if he shows aggression he'll get his way!

I would suggest that you find a good dog behaviourist in your area - I would recommend finding one from the apdt website, as they use kind methods and are qualified in dog behaviour rather than "human values myth". Clearly you need to stop this behaviour quick and ensure that there is no danger to your child.


In terms of his food guarding, firstly, why do you need to take his food away once you have given it to him? However, now he is guarding, I would suggest that once you have given him his food, stand at a safe distance and throw a titbit in to his bowl, gradually do this from a closer distance so he understands that your presence when he's eating is not a threatening one, but a rewarding one.

In terms of the other resource guarding issues when he has something you don't want him to have. Noise aversion is a good one, either a tin can with stones in, a hooter or anything that makes a loud, sudden noise. Whenever he goes near something that he shouldn't, shake the item short, sharp and loud and that should immediately stop him in his tracks. As soon as he stops, you can then divert his attention, tell him he's a good boy and get him away from the offending object.

Good luck!

[chrissie84]

hi, i too have a siberian husky, she was 1 last month.
Willow was getting very aggressive wen people were trying to take her food, bones, toys etc. But never fear it is a very easy problem to overcome with patience and respect for the dog, but also strength of mental ability.
Siberian huskies are not dogs to be toyed with, they are very strong willed and independant dogs, who believe it or not, are VERY intellegent.
Storm is way to big to put on his back so superiority is ur best tool. Firstly though you must identify that he is not guarding these things he is being selfish. Doesnt want to share. When he does these selfish antics, IGNORE him. Bad attention is better than any in a dogs mind, he is not stupid he knows not 2 eat a bag or a stick so he will do himself no damage, just ignore it. wen u r feeding him, feed him AFTER you, your husband and your daughter are all fed, then he will know that he is at the bottom of the pack like he should be. make him sit until you have put the food down and keep taking it away everytime he stands up after you have commanded him to sit.
he will then know that he cant bite the hand that feeds him or any1 higher up the pack than he is. if he gets aggressive, isolate him in a room he doesnt use much but not in his bed, he wont know he has done wrong, and dont let any1 spk 2 him until he starts behaving then reward his gd behaviour.

as for the outside problem, storm likes being outside, let him be an outside dog, dont force him in. get a pen and kennel and let him stay out overnight and run between the house and yard during the day. you will notice a change in his behaviour then. i warn you though he may be noisey the first few nights but let him see wat its like living outdoors, if he doesnt like it he'll be easier brought in at dark.

These suggestions worked perfect for my husky Willow and she is so calm now and i dont feel disappointed in her or or that i have 2 sell her.

Another point is if you sell Storm for his behaviour he will lead a very unsettled life because the next person wont have the patience an the next and so on. Huskies are not badly behaved dogs and usually their behaviour is their way of lettin you as their mum or dad know that they have a problem.

But never ever hit a dog, ever. it encouraged agression or worse fear.

[Mariya]

Here are some steps you can take to try to fix this problem.

Step One is to do away with his food bowl for a week or two. He will be dining out of your hand, a few kibbles at a time.

Step Two is to bring back the food bowl. It should remain empty until you pass by and drop a few pieces of kibble in it. After those are eaten up, you should drop small handfuls of kibble in at two-minute intervals until the entire meal has been eaten. By now your dog should be practically begging you to approach his bowl.

Step Three is to put a semi-filled bowl on the floor and as you pass by, drop in a few better-than-kibble tidbits. Then add the remaining kibble in your next pass.

Step Four is to put a full food bowl on the floor as your dog holds a sit-stay. Release him with a cheery "okay." Then once or twice a week, call your dog away from his bowl and reward him for coming over to you with a tasty tidbit. Please use your "sit-stay," "wait," and "take it" commands with the dog so it is absolutely clear to him who owns the kitchen and the tasty morsels in it.

Each of these steps should be undertaken for 10 to 14 days for both breakfast and dinner. While you are grappling with a food-guarding problem, your dog should wear a leash at mealtimes as a safety measure. Don't use it to correct him unless you are in jeopardy of being hurt. Since food guarding seldom happens in a vacuum and often signals other problems in the dog/owner relationship, a basic obedience course is highly recommended for canines who exhibit this behavior. Finally, if you experience any backsliding, return to Step One. Slow and steady wins this contest of wills.

Hope this helps.