Causes and Corrective Actions for Dog Guarding Behaviors Dominance An assertive puppy or young dog often growls at someone who reaches for a toy he holds or his food as a test for control, a behavior usually reinforced when the person backs away. Lack of Socialization A dog who previously ate or played in an isolated area away from people or other dogs often comes into a busy new home with resource guarding issues because he never learned that no one will steal food or toys. DOMINANCE/LACK OF SOCIALIZATION Corrective Actions: If dealing with an adult dominant dog who you feel might resort to aggression over resources, seek immediate help from a professional trainer. With a non-aggressive puppy or young dog, play the “trade me” game daily, exchanging whatever item your puppy holds for something he values more, like giving up a toy for a treat, to form a pleasant association with dropping items or letting you take them.

The Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog or Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees, was originally developed as a guardian of livestock and still performs this duty in some areas of the world. The Great Pyrenees value as a pet lies in its imposing nature. This is a large dog that is very loyal and protective of its family. When not guarding, they are very calm and well-mannered. PHYSICAL TRAITS OF THE GREAT PYRENEES Before deciding on bringing home a Pyrenean, there are important details to consider. The adult Great Pyrenees is a large dog that stands 27-32 inches or more and can weigh over 100 lbs. This dog needs a lot of room to move around and is not suited for apartment living. This breed requires daily moderate exercise when not working as a livestock guardian. On the first impression, the Great Pyrenees looks somewhat like a small white bear. The Great Pyrenees has a long coarse overcoat with a soft thick undercoat which will require daily brushing to prevent matting.

We all know that Labrador Retrievers, often referred to as Labs, are smarter than the average dog. If you are searching for a pooch to keep you company, then the Lab maybe your dog of choice. The average Labrador Retriever weighs between sixty and eighty pounds. They are medium-sized dogs, with a broad build, and thick features. With proper nutrition, exercise, and healthcare, the life expectancy on these dogs, is between ten and twelve years. The Labrador Retriever is widely classified as a Sporting Dog and considered a “flushing” dog that will retrieve the game for the hunter once it is down. They are most commonly used to hunt both upland game birds and waterfowl. There is thought that some are working on perfecting pointing with this breed. The purebred Labrador Retriever comes only in 3 colors: black, which some say is the most sought-after, pale to deep chocolate, and yellow, which can range from cream to a moderate reddish-brown.