Viewing Single Post From: Rascal Growled At Me

Viewing Single Post From: Rascal Growled At Me
piwoodhouse	May 12 2009, 11:04 PM
Total Gas Bag! Posts: 3,970 Group: Full Members Member #282 Joined: August 18, 2006	Exactly this happened to me the first time I gave Widge a bone. It warmed my heart to see his little tail thumping with excitement as he lay in the sunshine, his tongue going eighteen to the dozen, utterly delighted with this massive treat. As I walked past him to go back into the house, I reached down to give him a motherly pat with an over-enunciated "Alright, Widgie?" - and he nearly took my face off! I went quite cold and felt sick to my stomach to think our erstwhile friendly family pet could do that. Like you I knew I had to get the bone off him to reassert myself but those teeth and that growling were really intimidating. In the end, I took a deep breath, marched up to him purposefully, held him down around his shoulders with my left hand (ignoring the noise) and with my right, whipped that bone away while bellowing "NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" in a voice so loud my next door neighbour dashed out to see what had happened. Now, when Widge has anything and I want him to give it up, I only have to say "Leave it" in a fairly sinister voice and he shrinks away instantaneously. On the other hand, if I ever want his undivided attention, I just have to remember where I've hidden that bone.... ;) You reacted perfectly and Rascal will have a new found respect for that.


Rascal Growled At Me · Training & Behaviour