Thread: Possession issues

Bo has started to develop an unhealthy possession of my truck. He comes to work with me everyday and we go hunting etc and he's always on the back of my truck so I can see how he claims it as his territory but just recently he's started to growl at any other dog that comes near my truck, including our other dog who he has grown up with and otherwise does not have any issues with. It's something I'd rather he didn't do but I can't always be right there to correct the behaviour. Thoughts?

I don't know if this will help but I had a similar issue a few years back. I solved it by putting the "other" dog on the truck first for a while. Granted the "other" dog was well mannered and didn't mind the second one joining him.

Tie Bo up about 10 metres from the truck and then put the other dog the back of the truck. Give it 30minutes for Bo to see he can't do anything.

Go over to Bo and sit down with him, then lean gently on him, pinning him down and wait about 2 minutes until he sighs and exhales and relaxes.

This simulates the head of the pack putting the junior in his place.

Then release the other dog and calmly bring them together .

Just my opinion

If the ideas above dont work then put him on a very short chain at front centre of deck against cab and then let other dogs free ride. After a few trips try without the restraint but the second he gets towy growl him and immediately tie him again. He'll get the message eventually.

It's up to you if you want to stop him doing it. I guess it depends on whether you will have any other dogs on the back with him. As mentioned, if you want him to stop it you need to let him know that it is not just his ute by allowing the other dogs to get on first while he waits.
If you can stand there while all the dogs get on at once and stop any sign of agro from him as they all get up on the tray. That should help him learn it's everyone's territory

Give Bo the keys as it's quite obvious he thinks he owns the truck,then clamber up on the back with the other pot licker.
I'm sure that'll piss him off no end,he can't be in two places at the same time and eventually he'll calm down.

when he growls...kick him off the truck...not literally of course.... its YOUR truck,not his.
this isnt your first issue with him trying it on being the boss....
not uncommon for dog to do it,but can be nasty if he takes to another dog,or person....

I think you will be able to stop him getting possessive of the truck with his other pack mates, but if another strange dog comes up to the truck he is doing his job by warning it off. Very unlikely you will be able to stop that. It's innate in dogs to protect their territory but I would be worried about him jumping off the ute and having a go at another dog that walks past.
The best way to know what he will do, is to set him up so he doesn't know you are watching and getting someone to walk past with a dog he doesn't know. There's a few other tricks but I wont bleat on too much

funny dog/truck story

old Rogue,our black n tan huntaway who had bad experience with owner and shock collar as a pup...we got him past that.
we had J1 bedford truck with big cattle crate on back...Rogue loved it,but it got to stage I would be mustering with him up in paddock and truck would go along track and ol Rogue would abandon me and run off,catch up to truck and jump into back...hell of a feat now I look back,but was pain in the arse.
so we set him up...older bro stood inside crate with batton/lump of wood(out of sight) I went up paddock with dog,Dad drove truck slowly past...sure enough,dog deserted me and lept for open back of truck crate,to be met in mid air with hunk of wood...he picked himself up out of dust AND TRIED AGAIN...same result..then decided mustering sheep was better idea afterall...completely cured....
bit harsh looking back but fark it was annoying and problomatic when the sheep saw no dog helping me and took off again.

Originally Posted by Andygr

I don't know if this will help but I had a similar issue a few years back. I solved it by putting the "other" dog on the truck first for a while. Granted the "other" dog was well mannered and didn't mind the second one joining him.

Similar issue with getting the pack into a vehicle. Had to stand one down to learn that they were all allowed a place and after a couple of tries the problem dog learnt it was not an exclusive gig.