Jealousy?!?

[coco-bean]

Coco has alot of jealousy issues when it comes to her dad! but now it's starting to fade over into her toys! there could be 17 tennis balls, stuffed animals, or other toys laying on the ground but as soon as cainan touches one, she automatically thinks she needs it! will this go away over time? does anyone else have this problem with their dogs? Well it's not really a problem i guess, it's more of less a concern that it may get out of hand and cause her to get aggressive because she gets pretty upset about the toy thing!

[sumbirdy]

Some of my dogs do that but i dont know what to do about that either :confused:

[lady_bug_mistress]

im anxious to hear the replies as well because my german sheperd pup is starting this too. it wasnt so bad when he was smaller, but now hes much bigger then our boxer. its not only with toys, hes doing it with the familys affections as well.

[carrie]

As far as us behaviourists have managed to delve into the canine mind, as long as we have been there, we have never seen a dog behave in a jealous way. Jealousy is the way people interpret the way that dogs behave.
The way your dogs are behaving is all to do with status. There may be 17 tennis balls but the dog that believes it is control, has the status of alpha, will see each and every one of those tennis balls as private property.
The answer to this is to take away all toys, do not leave anything lying around. Dogs only get toys when you are there to supervise, play with them and use the toys as a reward for training.

[BC_MoM]

Toy aggression. Not Jealousy.

Coco sounds like she is (or is trying) to be the alpha dog in the household. However, I would not let her get away with this. As I don't with Molly and her sharing with Mickey.

Since Molly is alpha, I sternly tell her "NO." if she growls at Mickey and take the toy away from her, if she took it from. Since Mickey is not the alpha, I let him growl at her, I actually encourage him to be more assertive with her.

[lady_bug_mistress]

thank you. now what can i do when Shadow (the GSD) starts trying to get in between Cammie (the boxer) et the family when he thinks shes getting "more attention" then he is? i assure you both dogs get much attention from the kids, my boyfriend et myself. Cammie is ok with Shadow getting attention, but the minute someone gives her attention (even if Shadows been getting it just seconds before) he barrels in front of her or pushes her out of the way?

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Archie does this to Tobey all the time but clever Tobey has learnt to go to someone else for even more fuss :D or to go and lie in Archie's recently vacated warm, cosy spot on the sofa :rolleyes:

[BOBS DAD]

Great post!!! I have the exact same problem with BOB. He is unbelievably insane when Ginger gets petted. He barrels across the room and forces his way in between. He butts Ginger out and will even growl is she doesn't take the hint. It is so annoying!

And toys... Yup, just like you described. Ginger picks one up... BOB has to have - and immediately. Ginger gets another and Bob could care less about the first - gotta have the new one. Put Bob outside and pet Ginger or give her something and watch Bob go BERSERK!!! LOL! I'll listen to your suggestions, but I really hope this improves over time and as Bob gets older. P.S. Bob's getting fixed in a couple of weeks. Will this make any difference???