[Caitlin F]

Thanks guys! Lots of helpful responses! We had an issue with him food guarding from the other dog, but he has never been aggressive with the humans in the house. He is ultra-submissive with people. I will be speaking with the vet about it next week when he goes in for his checkup. I am mostly worried about his mental health ( I know that sounds crazy to some people because, he’s a dog. But it can’t be healthy for him to be stressed out all the time). I do understand the potential for nervous aggression though. Just because he sees me as in charge doesn’t mean he’d see a neighbor or relative in the same light. I will definitely be contacting some professionals about it. Thanks very much everyone. I’ll let you know what I learn.

[Caitlin F]

I realize this is an old post, but it is the closest to describing what my recently adopted five year old pit mix is doing. He has been protective of his belongings from day one in our house. But he has never exhibited anything like he did the day I brought home the rubber squeaky hedgehog that is his new favorite toy. He obsesses over it, hides it, paces the house to “patrol” the area in which he has hidden it, etc. I closed off the closets to see if maybe the cave-like environment of the closet was I don’t know, triggering his primal tendencies.(I know that sounds absurd but I have never seen a dog he so obsessive). I practiced with him the command to “give” so he isn’t aggressive with me over the toy, but it appears to give him actual anxiety. He doesn’t play with it, just moves it from place to place guarding it. When I closed off the closets he decided to curl up with it in the corner, but he shook anxiously for awhile, like trembling, til I reopened the closets and let him hide it in there. Then he acted. Normal. Is it okay for. E to let him have this toy or should I get rid of it?

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