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On a number of occasions my puppy (now 14 weeks) has growled, and even attacked, over things he finds (cat food, compost, human food on floor) and most recently a bone I gave him. This afternoon I gave him the bone and a minute later I reached down to pet his back (I was sitting in a chair beside him) and he growled and attacked when I got up to give him sh** for getting possessive. He was sternly talked to and restrained and had a time out. A couple hours later we gave the bone back and when asked he gave it up the first time, I walked away then walked back and as soon as I touched him he growled and freaked- he took on both me and my boyfriend and bit HARD!!!

He is well behaved the rest of the time, spends hours being physically active, and gets all the food he needs. He doesn’t fight you over his kibble or other treats and will give up his Kong readily, but if he finds something he feels he has full right to it. He was split up with his mother too early (5 weeks I think) and I am not sure if this has something to do with it, but regardless I need help fixing it. I am seeking a professional so if anyone has any recommendations in the Kelowna, BC area please let me know. I need all the advice I can get at this point, this dog is going to be around children this summer and I don’t know what to do. He is small now but growing by the day.

Practice the "give" and "take" game. 9 times out of 10 when you take something away from him, he will get it back. Part of the aggressive behaviour is driven by his thought that when something is taken away he never gets it back so it must be protected. You can also "trade" the item for something of more value.

One of the things I did with my dog is to not let him have any type of food until I tell him it's okay to take it. For example, when I feed him dinner I don't even begin to put the bowl on the floor until he's sitting nicely a few feet away. I then tell him to stay and put the bowl down. If he dashes for the bowl before I tell him he can, I quickly pick the bowl up, put it on the counter and place him a few feet away again telling him to sit. Continue doing this until he just sits and waits for the signal to go to the bowl. Do this with treats, bones or anything that he is possessive of.

Also, after he's been eating for a few minutes (perhaps halfway through), go to the bowl, move him aside and pick up the bowl repeating the test above. Eventually, he'll learn that he either behaves nicely or he doesn't get what he wants.

My dog will no longer go for anything I put down in front of him unless/until I tell him it's okay. I think now he realizes that I'm the boss and he only gets to eat because I choose to feed him. (a true pack leader).

Don't show any fear when he growls. Stay calm and assertive with him and NEVER let him win. If he wins onces, he'll think he's the boss and you'll have a tough time gaining control.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

The first thing I would do is stop giving your dog any treats and read Brad's book. Treats will only add to any aggression problems.

Also I think anyone posting advice for people on here should read Brad's book as well. People are on here to learn Brad Pattison's training methods not someone else's.