Puppy Resource Guarding Basics with Jocelyn Walls CPDT & CTC | Pupford

Has your dog or puppy started resource guarding? Maybe they growl when you try and take a toy or bone... or maybe they get defensive of their treats around other dogs. Or they may even start to transition from playing to fighting around other dogs. No matter what type of resource guarding your dog may be doing, it's important to understand the behavior and help stop it early on!

Simply put, a dog guard resources out of a natural fear that the resource may go away. Resource guarding can happen with toys, bones, treats, food, or even their own body (a resource).

Related Reading: The Canine Ladder of Aggression

INTRODUCTION OF JOCELYN

Jocelyn has been training and consulting with dogs for over 10 years. She has her CTC and CPDT. She spent the majority of her career working with the rehab & training of rescue dogs, often in very dire or difficult situations. Since 2018, she’s been running her own dog training company called Muttineer and is based out of Los Angeles.

Jocelyn's Website: http://www.muttineer.com/

Jocelyn's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFt4sAiMx5WdFfU6V2tFnXg

Jocelyn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muttineerla/

PS- Learn from Jocelyn about how to introduce dogs and cats here.

LISTEN TO PODCAST ABOUT RESOURCE GUARDING

Want to hear more podcasts like this? Please click here.

WATCH PODCAST

Want to see more videos like this? Please click here.

OVERVIEW OF RESOURCE GUARDING BASICS

It's important to note that resource guarding can quickly become a serious issue if not addressed. If you are concerned, please contact a professional, positive-reinforcement-based dog trainer in your area!

FIRST OFF, WHY DO DOGS RESOURCE GUARD? WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO TELL US? (Starts around 3:30)

• Normal, biological behavior where a dog is coveting toys, food, body, etc.
• Fear-based behavior where you see an outburst where a dog feels their resources are being threatened

Related Reading: What Not To Do With a Puppy

IF MY DOG STARTS TO GUARD RESOURCES AROUND ME, WHAT SHOULD I NOT DO? (Starts around 5:40)

• Never go head-to-head with a dog to create more competition over that item
• If your dog is displaying warning signs, stay back, don’t go towards your dog
• Don’t put more pressure / mirror your dog’s aggressive body posturing

Related Reading: Does playing tug make a dog aggressive?

AND OF COURSE, WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY PUPPY IS RESOURCE GUARDING? (Starts around 9:00)

• Create an environment where your dog feels safe with their resources
• Flood the economy with more resources - more toys, etc.
• Diffuse the situation when your dog is uncomfortable and immediately back off
• Present a high-value trade to replace the item they have
• Consult a Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer to get to the root of your dog’s resource guarding

WHAT IF MY DOG IS GUARDING TOYS OR FOOD FROM OTHER ANIMALS? (Starts around 14:00)

• Provide management for pets
• If your dog is resource guarding, a dog park may not be the best place to be
• Protect them from feeling the need to guard their items
• Do things that are in line with your dog’s capabilities

AT WHAT POINT SHOULD I GET A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER INVOLVED? (Starts around 17:05)

• Call in the trainer at the first warning signs
• Don’t sweep it under the rug, get the issue addressed as soon as possible

WHAT CAN I DO AS A PET PARENT TO HELP AVOID RESOURCE GUARDING FROM STARTING? (Starts around 20:20)

• Hand feeding your puppy right out of their bowl
• Teaching them that hands are a great holder for their high-value chews
• Practicing trades back and forth to teach your dog that dropping is okay because they will get another treat in exchange
• Handling desensitization
• Grabbing paws
• Grabbing collars
• Touching ears
• Holding them / restraining them
• ALL WITHIN THEIR COMFORT LEVELS

Note: with more than one animal, management is SO important. Be aware of your dog’s limitations and learn how to read your dog's body language. If you are having trouble with this, get a professional in your home and take care of this before it escalates into something.