Prevent Resource Guarding
Our friend Teddy Green at Daytripper Dog Training created this helpful video on preventing resource guarding and we’re grateful to share it here on the Stannyfield Dispatch.
~ Emily & Rob, Team Stannyfield
The training we do with puppies lays a foundation of skills they’ll use throughout their lifetime. Much of it is designed to prevent future behaviour struggles that may crop up as your puppy matures.
Dogs who freeze, growl, air snap, lunge or bite when humans or other animals approach their food bowl, attempt to remove a toy, bone or other item are resource guarding. It’s important to note that resource guarding is a natural behaviour and there is a level of anxiety involved. When you think about it, humans also resource guard. We lock our homes and cars, purchase security systems and many of us would not be happy if a family member attempted to remove our dinner plate. Though it is a natural behaviour, dogs communicate their anxiety in the only way dogs can. Resource guarding tends to escalate and can become dangerous; therefore, steps should be taken to prevent resource guarding.
Even if your puppy shows no signs of resource guarding, behaviour can change as your puppy matures and moves into adulthood. Take a proactive approach to prevent resource guarding. "Trading" (demoed in the video) is one of our recommendations at Daytripper. Begin with an item of low value, for instance a stuffed toy, and gradually increase the value of the item. Trade for something of higher value and make the trade a non-event—notice how calm and casual I am.
Another one of our recommendations is to do "high value food drops" while your puppy is eating or is in possession of a long-lasting chew or toy. Walk past your puppy while they are eating, drop some high value food and continue walking—"feed and leave”. There is no pressure. Your puppy will learn that when someone approaches, yummy food appears.
Outdated training methods that recommend taking their food bowl away, putting your hand in the bowl or patting, pulling on ears, "because that's what children might do" can cause resource guarding. Imagine how you would feel if someone randomly took your dinner plate away or stuck their fingers in your mashed potatoes. I don't know about you, but I'd be resource guarding pretty darn quickly.
As with all skills, maintain this skill throughout your dog's lifetime, as I'm doing here with Paisley.
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt this if your dog already resource guards. Feel free to contact us for help or seek the assistance of another qualified professional.
