Find What You Are Looking For Here
FYI: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a commission from various affiliate programs, and as an Amazon Associate and Chewy affiliate I also earn commissions from qualifying purchases—at NO extra cost to you. See the Disclosure page for more information. Thank you!
Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Aussie Possessive Aggression

by Julie
(Lawrence, Kansas)

Wrigley

Wrigley

I adopted my Australian Shepherd, Wrigley, in 2011 from an animal control shelter. He was 4 then and is 5 now. We've done obedience training and agility training, and we used to hike regularly. However, he had an FCE in March and is still in recovery. Right now, he can hobble, but can't fully walk, and he still has all of the energy that he had before his embolism.

Before the embolism, he was extra possessive and controlling of my roommate. Whenever I was in the room with them, he would follow her from room to room and try to get her attention. Now that he's recovering from his injury, his energy and behavior have escalated. He has begun nipping her hands when she talks loudly or gets excited.

My roommate helps me with Wrigley's physical therapy, and this has helped him see her as having some authority over him. We've also taken to putting him in his room any time we know that my roommate might get excited (like watching sports games, etc.)

Are there any obedience techniques that I can modify for a dog who isn't very mobile in his back legs? Should I try leashing and treating him to positively reinforce staying with me when stimulating situations crop up?

When he recovers to the point that he can stand on his own, I intend to take him back to obedience classes. I've also been taking him on lots of short walks where I support him using a help'em up harness to help him recover and dissipate his energy. I'd appreciate any any insight or help you can offer. (We're 8 weeks into his FCE recovery.)

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Australian Shepherd Q & A.

Australian-Shepherd-Lovers.com icon

Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

Have Dog Training Questions?

Check out these introductory dog training videos...

I want my dog to stop being aggressive.

I want some help training my new puppy.

I want my dog to stop barking at everything.

I want my dog to walk nicely and calmly on the leash.

I want my dog to listen and come every time I call!