https://youtu.be/8WE14VEDFE8

Bandit does not like to be bothered when chewing sometimes. This is a new toy, she just got 10mins ago. So I think she is just be protective if it. Never growls or fights to take it back. I'm guessing shes basically saying "hey this is mine, I like it, please don't take it from me"

I'm always a worry ward!

She is definitely tense. Her body language changes instantly. But she is allowing you near, which is great.

Yeah, I agree, she seems tense and a little uncomfortable, but still allows you close. I think it has the potential to become an issue if you continue pushing the limit. I would just recommend sitting quietly next to her, not touching her or making eye contact and dropping a treat between her paws every once in a while. This is teaching her to relax and trust you, that she doesn't worry you're going to take good stuff from her. It will also help if you ever do have to take something really good from her (like a dead animal).

Okay makes sense. She even brings everything she chew right next to me or on top of me so I know shes not scared

Not scared is very good. So to build trust you can play the Trade game.

Offer a treat and take the toy. Give the treat. When the treat is gone, give the toy back and walk away without making a big deal. Just go.

Keep her calm and relaxed and you win.

Definitely tense and uncomfortable maybe a little confused too. I think the idea of the treat is good. Baylin does this exact stiffness when she goes too far with a toy. ie when the water bottle is chewed to swallow pieces or to when she grabs the plastic squeaker out of the toy. She is smart enough to think the "this toy is gonna be taken away". There is a chance that since Bandit is chewing the "border" or edging of the toy he is not sure if it is acceptable.

Colleen do you think if there was uncertainty about how acceptable the toy was that he'd be more scurrying away with it?

The responses they have to "oh crap I got caught" and "This. Is. Mine." are different and this seems more of the latter.

Tony, from what I see I like your description best. Bandit is a little tense but not overly so; if it were a matter of possession, I'd have expected more of a response from her when you reached toward her / it - maybe backing away or a low grumble. Her response seems to be more of "You gave it to me and I like it, let me keep it, please."
What I'd like to have seen was her reaction if you had taken it from her, even for a few minutes. *That* would have said more to me ...

Okay I'll try everything everyone has said. When I take it from her she looks at me like "cab I have it back please"

Hmmm Jeff I am not sure. When it is a "no no toy" mine hunkers down not scurries away. But it is possible to read it that way too. Now sometimes you can get the game of chase but that has a totally different feel.

https://youtu.be/tlIH3arb-yY

This is a new toy she got yesterday. She loves it but nothing like the other one I posted. I think cause she was destroying it and she wanted to hide it? Or just knew she wasn't supposed to be doing it?

Aw! Ha ha. That one looks like, "mmm nom, nom, ooo, he's scratching my ears and i'm chewing, that feels so good to my ears and jaws." *insert homer simpson drooling sound* "oh! he took the toy, and it's flying, ha ha ha ha that's fun! ima get it!"

IMO, it's a very different tone than the first one you posted. The overall feeling of this was physical enjoyment (chewing and ear rubs) and play.

What do you think? Did you feel the interplay between the two of you was different?

Ahh that is a different look ..... there was not "freeze" and the eyes are not as shifty as the first one then definitely the end is I'm gonna get it as Jen said.

Jen, I tend to agree with you there. There was an uncertainty in the first vid that is completely lacking in the second.
Bandit seems completely comfortable, in the second with Dad taking the chew toy - like it was play. For some reason, and I think we all see this there a discomfort present in the first that's not there in the second.
I think Tony's got a good handle on the "It's mine but I'll let you have it to play with." and bandit seems to accept that without issues.
As I watched them again - Bandit seems much more engrossed in the first than the second.
Going back to Tony's original question "Is it normal or possessive?" I think a degree of possessiveness is normal - in the first vid, Bandit is in possession of the chew toy, likes it and doesn't want to be bothered. In the second, she seems to be more willing to accept Tony taking it away. In neither vid do I see a possessiveness that would overly concern me.

I actually had a totally different interpretation of the video - Ami hates to have the top of his head rubbed and that's what he looks like - husaband yapping, wants the computer

Good points Al.

The first video definitely showed some tension and possessiveness but it was kept at bay, or directed internally, so to speak. There was nothing directed outward at the person doing the touching and grabbing.


Nothing but comfort and engagement and calmness in the second.

I think she knew she was destroying and eating it, pulled a big piece out of her throat, and she knew she shouldn't be.

Al does make good points, and I agree, a certain amount of possessiveness is normal and nothing to be overly concerned about. Honestly sometimes we tend to take a small, normal, puppy behavior like this and instead of seeing it as a part of normal development, we turn it into a big deal, overreact and scare and confuse these poor pups. I would still play trading games and drop treats between her paws when she appears uncomfortable, but don't make a big deal about it. It's just good practice and good for bonding.