Resource guarding refers to a dog displaying behavior (growling, snapping, or body language) intended to convince other dogs or humans to stay away from a particular treasure or “resource.” It is all intended to communicate, “Back off! This is mine, and I don’t intend to give it up.” The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place, or a person. Basically, a resource is anything that is considered by the dog to be of high value.
Resource guarding is a major cause of aggression toward humans (particularly toward children). Children are less likely to understand the importance of respecting the dog’s possessions and are likely to grab for them. Finally, their height means that bites to children often occur on the face or upper body resulting in more serious injuries. Below are five myths about resource guarding:
·
Guarding Is Symptom
of a Dominant Dog So many previously held beliefs about dogs have relied on
using social hierarchy models to explain dog behavior. We’ve all heard about
dominance theory and how important it is to be a dominant leader for your dog. Unfortunately
resource guarding as well as many other common behavioral problems don’t
respond well to dominance or punishment based training. In most cases they can
make it much worse.
Managing
a dog with resource guarding is done through desensitization and counter
conditioning.
When a dog stops guarding his food and toys after counter conditioning and
desensitization is he less dominant? If dominance is part of a relationship
rather than a trait how can desensitization and counter conditioning exercises
change the relationship? Resource guarding is commonly seen in dogs that lack
confidence. It is a fear based behavior not one that’s displayed by dogs trying
to be overly assertive or dominant.
·
It Can Be Cured by
Making Resources Abundant The logic based approach of giving a dog so
many resources he couldn’t possibly need to guard makes sense in the human
mind, but unfortunately dogs don’t see it this way.
·
It’s a Result of
Spoiling Your Dog Resource guarding can crop up in any dog regardless of
age, breed, or history. Dogs with varying degrees of obedience training can
develop guarding behaviors. It’s an equal opportunity behavior problem. There
is no evidence to suggest that dogs with poor manners or ones that lack simple
obedience training are more likely to develop guarding behaviors. If your dog
is a resource guarder keep in mind that he’s exhibiting fear and stress; he’s
not trying to dominate you. With patience, consistency, and the proper training
approach you can manage your dogs guarding.
·
It’s Genetically
Driven and Cannot Be Changed The sad fact is that although there’s been a
few studies done on the probability
of dogs exhibiting resource guarding no one actually
knows why some dogs have it and some don’t. It’s been seen in all breeds and in
all ages. Genetic programming may indeed make certain behaviors easier to learn
for some dogs but there is no clear correlation between how much a behavior is
thought to be genetic and its susceptibility to behavior modification. When
asking yourself whether its nature or nurture the answer is going to be both. So we can’t say that
“it’s all how they’re raised” or “it’s because of his breed.” There isn’t
enough good data to support either claim.
·
Resource Guarding is
Abnormal Behavior Guarding food and highly coveted objects is something
dogs have been doing for ages. Wolves wouldn’t be nearly as successful if they
didn’t have the ability to defend their resources. In a natural environment
these adaptive traits give dogs an advantage. If your dog is a resource guarder
and had to suddenly fend for himself tomorrow he’d have a natural advantage
over non-guarders. Of course this isn’t to say that resource guarding is a
desired behavior in a home where they’re given food and objects freely. It’s
just pointing out that guarding is normal.
Whether you have a puppy, a new dog that doesn’t yet
resource guard, or an occasional, but not dangerous, resource guarder, you want
your dog to learn not to guard his food and to willingly give up an item.
Practice these exercises frequently before you really need them.
·
After this is working consistently,
add your verbal cue, “drop it” or “give” (in a happy voice), as he sniffs the
treat. After your dog has finished the treat, entice him with the
original item again. Once you are confident that the item interests him, add
the cue “take it”. Then, use your cue of “drop it” and repeat the trade.
Your dog is learning that when he lets go, he not only gets a treat, he
gets back the item he originally gave up. Note: When not practicing, move
the item out of sight, so that your dog doesn’t keep picking it up, in order to
get a treat.
·
Approach your dog’s food bowl while
he is eating and, without bending down, drop a delicious treat (something like
a piece of chicken or beef) into his bowl. This will teach him that
humans approaching his food are not a threat, but rather something good.
You can also hand-feed your dog to set up a strong association with people as
providers of good things. This is especially helpful when you first bring a dog
into your home.
·
Choose a word or phrase like “drop
it” or “give” to use as a release cue when you want your dog to give you
whatever he has. Get an empty paper towel roll, a toy, or other item that
will interest your dog, without being high value. You will also need some
really yummy treats (diced cheese, hot dogs, whatever your dog loves). While
holding onto one end, offer your dog the cardboard roll or other item, moving
it around to make it more exciting until he takes it. Continue to hold
onto it, so he can’t grab it and run. Now, stick a treat right under
your dog’s nose. Your dog will likely spit out the item. When he does that,
give him the treat.
'When a man's best friend is his dog, that dog has a
problem." (Edward Abbey)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“5 Myths
about Resource Guarding” by
·
“Resource
Guarding” by Your Dog’s Friend
No comments:
Post a Comment