Resource Guarding--It's All Mine!!

What is resource guarding?

Resource guarding is when a dog controls access to food, objects, people, and locations that are important to them through defensive body language or overt aggressive display. This is actually a relatively common canine behavior and can be influenced by a number of environmental and situational stimuli, including a dog’s natural instinct to survive. Dog’s that resource guard often have deep-rooted insecurity and the inability to cope well in a social situation, even with people and other dogs he knows.

• An insecure dog can see anyone as a potential threat to a resource, whether that resource is food, toys, space, or access to a person.
• A resource guarder will not tolerate competition and will guard the resource to maintain priority access.
• The threat of losing the resource can make a dog more vigilant, angry, and irritable.

Misunderstanding why their dogs guard resources can lead owners to get angry and confrontational with their dogs. Confrontation, however, usually increases competition and causes the dog to guard the resource even more.

Using physical punishment on a resource guarding dog is the exact OPPOSITE of what you need to do. Instead, make sure you understand and work to instill more confidence in the dog so that they feel less threatened. When working to rehabilitate a dog that aggressively guards their resources, they should not be “dominated” into submission, nor should they be challenged or physically punished.

To stop a dog guarding their food bowl:

• Change the physical picture by providing a new bowl in a different location.
• Pick up their bowl and make it appear as though you are filling it with their food.
• Place the empty bowl on the ground in front of them. Let them investigate, see there is nothing there, and look at you. As soon as they look at you, praise them and add a bit of food to their bowl.
• After they've finished, wait for them to look at you again and add more food into their bowl.
• Repeat this until all of his food has been eaten. Walk away from their bowl and then back and add a little more. This shows your dog that your approach and presence at the bowl means they are going to get more food and that you are a positive part of the experience. Start adding delicious treats as you’re passing their bowl so that they associate only good things with you near their bowl. Great Treats to Try: Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits, Charlee Bear Treats, Healthfuls Beef Livers, and Loving Pets Nature Value Treat Sticks.

Resource guarding can be a dangerous behavior to work with, so bring in a qualified, humane trainer in your area. Children should never take part in this training.

Renee Jones is a certified professional dog trainer, having received instruction from canine behaviorist Dr. Pamela Reid, plus nationally acclaimed trainers: Patricia McConnell, Pia Silvani, and Jean Donaldson, to name a few. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Internation Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She serves as a Pet Marketing and Canine Specialist for Jeffers Pet.

Questions about this article, training, or non-emergent health concerns are welcome. Renee can be reached most days from 9am – 5pm Central Time (Mon-Fri) at 1-800-JEFFERS (533-3377) ext 381 or by email rsjones@jefferspet.com.

Information given here is meant to be helpful and/or educational. It is, in no way, intended to supersede, challenge or supplant the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a licensed veterinarian.