If you have ever tried to take away a toy or a bone from your dog, only to be met with growls, snarls, or even bites, you might have a dog that is resource-guarding. Resource guarding is a behaviour that some dogs display when they perceive a threat to something they value, such as food, toys, or their favourite spot on the couch. Resource guarding can be dangerous for both humans and other animals, as it can lead to aggression and injuries. In this blog post, we will explain what causes resource guarding in dogs, how to prevent it, and how to train your dog to stop it.
What Causes Resource Guarding in Dogs?
Resource guarding is a natural and instinctive behaviour for dogs. In the wild, dogs have to compete for scarce and valuable resources, such as food and water, to survive. Protecting these resources from other dogs or predators is essential for their survival. Therefore, dogs have evolved to display certain behaviours that discourage others from taking or approaching their resources. These behaviours can range from subtle signals, such as staring, stiffening, or moving closer to the resource, to more overt actions, such as growling, baring teeth, lunging, or biting.
However, resource guarding is not a desirable behaviour in domesticated dogs, especially in a home environment where there are humans and other pets. Resource guarding can cause problems such as:
Stress and anxiety for the dog and the owner
Damage to property or belongings
Injury to humans or other animals
Breakdown of trust and relationship between the dog and the owner
Resource guarding can be triggered by various factors, such as:
Fear or anxiety: The dog may feel insecure or threatened by the presence of other dogs or humans near their resource. They may have had negative experiences in the past where their resource was taken away, punished, or harmed by someone else.
Lack of confidence: The dog may have low self-esteem or feel inferior to other dogs or humans. They may try to assert their dominance or status by guarding their resource.
Lack of control and routine: The dog may crave predictability and stability in their environment. They may feel stressed or confused by changes in their schedule, location, or household. They may try to cope by clinging to their resource.
Genetic predisposition: Some breeds of dogs may be more prone to resource guarding than others due to their selective breeding for certain traits. For example, some herding breeds may guard their flock or territory from intruders; some hunting breeds may guard their prey or game from competitors; some terrier breeds may guard their burrows or dens from predators.
How to Prevent Resource Guarding in Dogs?
The best way to deal with resource guarding in dogs is to prevent it from developing in the first place. Prevention is especially important for puppies and young dogs who are still learning about the world and forming their habits and behaviours. Here are some tips on how to prevent resource guarding in dogs:
Socialize your dog: Expose your dog to different people, animals, places, and situations from an early age. This will help your dog become more confident, friendly, and adaptable. It will also reduce your dog's fear and anxiety around unfamiliar things.
Teach your dog basic obedience: Train your dog to follow simple commands, such as sit, stay, come, leave it, drop it, etc. This will help you establish clear communication and leadership with your dog. It will also make it easier for you to control your dog's behaviour and redirect them when needed.
Provide your dog with enough resources: Make sure your dog has access to enough food, water, toys, beds, etc. so that they don't feel the need to compete or fight for them. Provide your dog with a variety of toys and rotate them regularly to keep them interested and stimulated. Avoid giving your dog items that are too valuable or hard to replace, such as shoes, clothes, jewellery, etc., as they may become too attached or obsessed with them.
Respect your dog's space: Give your dog a safe and comfortable place where they can relax and enjoy their resources without being disturbed. This could be a crate, a bed, a mat, or a corner of the room. Respect your dog's boundaries and do not approach them when they are eating, sleeping, playing with a toy, etc., unless you have a good reason. Teach your children and guests to do the same.
Reward your dog for good behaviour: Praise your dog when they share their resources with you or others. Give them treats when they allow you to approach them or take something from them without showing any signs of guarding. Reinforce positive associations between you and their resources.
How to Train Your Dog to Stop Resource Guarding?
If your dog already shows signs of resource guarding, do not panic, or give up. Resource guarding can be managed or even changed with proper training and patience. However, do not attempt to train your dog on your own if they are aggressive or have a history of biting. Seek professional help from a certified dog trainer or behaviourist who can assess your dog's situation and provide you with a safe and effective training plan.
The general principle of training your dog to stop resource guarding is to teach them that giving up their resource is not a bad thing, but a good thing. You want your dog to learn that when you or someone else approaches them or takes something from them, they will get something better in return. This way, your dog will not feel threatened or defensive, but rather relaxed and cooperative.
Here are some steps on how to train your dog to stop resource guarding:
Find a high value treat that your dog loves more than the thing they are guarding. Usually, moist, and smelly treats work best, such as cheese, chicken, or hot dogs. Cut the treats into small pieces and keep them handy in a pouch or a pocket.
Know the distance at which your dog begins to resource guard. This is called the threshold distance. Some dogs may start guarding when you are a few feet away from them; some may only guard when you are right next to them; some may only guard when you try to touch or take their resource. Observe your dog's body language and look for signs of guarding, such as staring, stiffening, hovering, growling, etc. You want to start the training at a distance where your dog is comfortable and does not show any signs of guarding.
Approach your dog slowly and calmly until you reach the threshold distance. Do not make eye contact or talk to your dog. Just toss a treat near them and walk away. Repeat this several times until your dog looks relaxed and happy when you approach them.
Gradually decrease the distance between you and your dog as you toss treats. Do this in small increments and at a slow pace. If your dog shows any signs of guarding, back off and increase the distance again. Do not push your dog beyond their comfort level or force them to give up their resource.
Once you can get close to your dog without them guarding, start tossing treats behind them instead of near them. This will encourage your dog to move away from their resource to get the treat. As they do so, praise them and toss another treat behind them. Repeat this until your dog willingly leaves their resource to get the treat.
Once your dog leaves their resource to get the treat, try to touch or take their resource while they are away. Do this quickly and gently, and immediately give it back to them along with another treat. Praise your dog and toss another treat behind them. Repeat this until your dog does not mind you touching or taking their resource.
Once your dog does not mind you touching or taking their resource, try to hold it for longer before giving it back. Do this gradually and always give it back with another treat. Praise your dog and toss another treat behind them. Repeat this until your dog does not care how long you hold their resource.
Once your dog does not care how long you hold their resource, try to exchange it for another item of equal or higher value. For example, if your dog is guarding a toy, exchange it for another toy or a treat. Do this quickly and gently and praise your dog when they accept the exchange. Toss another treat behind them and repeat this until your dog is happy to trade their resource for something else.
The above steps are just general guidelines on how to train your dog to stop resource guarding. You may need to adjust the steps according to your dog's personality, temperament, and level of guarding. You may also need to repeat the steps with different people, animals, places, and items that trigger your dog's guarding behaviour.
Remember that training your dog to stop resource guarding takes time and patience. Do not rush the process or expect immediate results. Be consistent and positive with your training and reward your dog for every small improvement.
Resource guarding in dogs can be a challenging and frustrating problem for both owners and dogs. However, with proper prevention and training, it can be overcome and resolved. By understanding what causes resource guarding in dogs, how to prevent it, and how to train your dog to stop it, you can help your dog become more confident, relaxed, and trusting around their resources.
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