Bad traits coming out from socialization? Help!!

[dvsfurby]

Hi! I started taking Tikaani to puppy daycare about a week ago. Before he started going to puppy daycare, he was obnoxious with other dogs... in the sense that he *always* wanted to play, so he'd hop around all over the place... and y'know, just be a puppy. He rarely ever barked at other dogs, however, when walking on his leash.

I've noticed over the past couple days that he has become more and more barky with other dogs when walking on his leash. And last night we were in the petstore and Tikaani found a stash of dog food on the floor under one of the racks... I pulled him away from it... but another dog started walking towards it and he started barking like mad... I'm worried that it's signs of food protecting/agressiveness? Tikaani hasn't ever acted aggressive over food or toys before, so I'm a little freaked out by the sudden changes in his attitude...

The puppy daycare center itself is a great place. The trainer in our puppy kindergarden class recommends is, a bunch of her students all go there and love it. The people who work at the daycare are awesome. I don't think there's an issue of a dog at the daycare bullying Tikaani, because whenever the dogs are out playing, there is always someone outside supervising, and at the start of any too rough play, the dogs are separated and put in 'time out'. They have webcams up covering everywhere the dogs go... and I watch on and off all day... and he seems to have a great time running around and playing. The people at the daycare say he does *great* with all the other dogs he's ever interacted with at the daycare...

So... I'm really at a loss. Is it possible a coincedence that this new behavior started shortly after we put him in daycare, maybe? Either way... is there anything I can do to curb this sudden frenzied barking anytime he comes within sight of another dog on his leash? And what about making sure that he does not develop a bad habit of becoming aggressive over food/toys? I brought one of his toys to daycare and asked the workers there to take the toy out in the yard, so all the dogs can share it (and warned them that I am worried he's starting to show signs of aggressiveness, so to watch him carefully) in the hopes that maybe I'm just deluded and he wasn't acting aggressive over the food or that if he was, this will get him used to it?

Any ideas anyone has are greatly, greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

[Fran27]

It's interesting. When I got Tips, he loved playing with Boris, but he was quiet. I got him from a rescue and there were probably 10 other dogs and puppies too, but he was so quiet. After about a week, when he got used to Boris, he started barking a lot when they played. I'm going to start socializing him a lot next week (he's getting his last shots today finally, hopefully he will get to meet some dogs there too), and I'm a bit worried he will bark too.

I just think it's his way of interracting with other dogs though. It's not agressive or anything.

But I'm definitely interested in some feedback too.

[Doberluv]

That guarding behavior is compleley normal. It's an instinct. You can't expect a dog not to guard from another dog something that is valuable to him, like food or a favorite toy. You can expect him to not be guarding his stuff from you. But dog to dog is another relationship and they're not like children...."now you get along and share." No, it doesn't work that way. You just need to keep high value stuff put away when there is a problem between dogs. And especially in a pet store, the dog is one your dog doesn't even know...isn't part of his family or group. He's an outsider and not readily accepted anyhow, much less when it comes to competition for food.

[Athe]

Great post Doberluv, as mentioned guarding food is a natural instinct. To eat is to survive, the survivors get to pass on their genes...those that do not learn to get their food and protect it did not pass on their genes.

There are many good books you can pick up, just to give you some thoughts and ideas.
"Mine! a practical guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs" by Jean Donaldson
this is a great book to pick up
also some other Dogs are from Neptune by Jean Donaldson is also a great book. Any thing by her is wonderful reading ;)
heres the link to order.
http://www.sitstay.com/store/books/solutions1.shtml

[dvsfurby]

Thanks so much for the info! :)

[showpug]

Totally agree with what the others said on guarding behavior...

I also wanted to add that now that your puppy is getting to meet and play with a whole bunch of new dogs he may actually be becoming more FRIENDLY to other strange dogs and that is why he barks at them. A lot of puppies try to inniate play by barking at the dog they want to play with. Is your dog a northern breed? If so, they are very vocal. I bet your boy is just viewing other dogs as another friend to play with so he is barking to get their attention now that he is extra comfortable and socialized around many different dogs. The guarding is a different issue and just part of being a dog!

[dvsfurby]

Showpug,

Yes, he's a Northern breed, most closely related to huskies. :) And he's definitely vocal, loves to howl. :) I'd just heard a lot of things about food and toy agressiveness and how bad it is... so I was worried that it might be linked to his newfound barking. :)

Thanks for the info!