Useful Tips To Stop Resource Guarding In Dogs

By Author: Tony Giotto
Total Articles: 18
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Resource guarding is a behavior that happens when dogs guard their food, toys, or other items from others. While resource guarding can be an annoying problem in many dogs, this behaviour may be modified with the right training methods and handling techniques. To help you deal with your dog’s resource guarding behavior, a dog trainer in Burnaby has put together this helpful guide with tips to help modify resource guarding in dogs.

Understand What Resource Guarding is:

So, what is resource guarding? Simply put, it’s a behavior that helps animals protect a valued resource. So, if your dog guards his food bowl, he’s trying to prevent other dogs or people from eating his meal. You will notice that your dog becomes highly agitated (and will even growl or snap) when another person or animal comes near him.

Handy Tips on Resource Guarding

1. Give your dog room when feeding:

One of the common behaviour problems in resource guarding is when a dog is over protective of his food. A dog may react by someone or animal simply walking by or approaching him closely while eating his food. One option is ...
... to provide a safe area that prevents anyone in interfering with him while eating. A secure area keeping anyone distant or a separate room that is safe from any danger may be options used to prevent someone from approaching close to the dog.

2. Never Punish Your Dog:

Do not punish, intimidate, and/or use any form of aggression as this will not help with the resource guarding. For one thing, punishment will produce more fear to a pup which could lead to more serious behaviours. Second, punishing your dog when they are guarding is useless, since you will be provoking the behaviour even more. In essence, they will become more guarding as they will feel threatened to losing the item(s) they possess. Aggression prevention dog training is recommended for your dog.

3. Hire a Dog Trainer:

Having a professional dog trainer in Burnaby give your dog one-on-one attention may be most effective to help modify the aggressive behavior in dogs. There’s no substitute for a trainer who can work with you and your dog while offering the best guidance on taking care of your pet moving forward.

Resource guarding is dangerous and stressful for both humans and canines, so it’s important to hire a professional dog trainer for assistance. The modifying of the resource guarding behaviour will not be an overnight fix and it will require time, patience and dedication to daily consistent training. If your dog has a tendency to become possessive of food or toys, don’t leave him alone with children that may have those items. Sign up for private dog training in Vancouver offered by a qualified expert, so you and your dog can live a happy life together.

Tony Giotto, Master Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, has worked with many dogs since 2001. He studied with and worked for Master Trainer S. Prewitt of the Prewitt Canine Training Academy at the International College of Canine Behavioural Science. An interest in the field came about as he noticed neglected dogs. Why were they neglected and why were they treated in a certain manner? At that point, he decided to become a dog trainer and help dogs with their owners. Through his extensive studies in Canine Behavioural Science, he has helped many dogs of different ages with behavioural problems. He not only provides guidance but also has patience and understanding to help the client build a good relationship with their dog.