First, let’s cover some major facts about resource guarding and food aggression. Whether it’s a dog guarding food from another dog, or defending their spot for napping, possessive aggression can be a big problem if you have multiple pets. Studies have shown that up to 40% of dogs that pass these resource guarding tests later show growling, lunging, snapping, or biting in the home. Management of resource guarding aggression in dogs is important. It can be food, bones, a dog bed, or even a crumb dropped on the floor. If your dog was ‘down’ would you recognize the signs of depression in dogs? Basics of Counter Conditioning for Resource Guarding Find a high-value treatthat your dog loves more than the thing they are guarding. With dogs who are at risk of causing injury, it’s obviously critical to have some way to make sure that everyone is safe. Dogs who are happy in a particular context are a whole lot less likely to act aggressively. Intensity also goes up if the dog has a more highly valued item, or if you approach, reach for or pick up the resource. I’ve already mentioned some useful tips and tried-and-true methods for dealing with food aggressive dogs, or dogs who guard their toys, territory or family members. If you walk near him while he’s eating, does he eat faster? They may not be fully certified behaviorists, but if they have a lot of experience working with at least 30 or more dogs in various capacities of aggression and resource-guarding, they will be prepared to help you and your dog. RELATED: Prevent Resource Guarding. Here are some dog training tips that can help you solve your furball’s resource guarding habits: There’s nothing more efficient than using treats to encourage wanted behavior, and the same goes for solving resource guarding problems. I like to teach the cue “drop it” so that if a dog gets something he shouldn’t have, I can ask him to release it before he damages it, or damages himself. It can be directed towards other animals, humans, or both. Learning how to stop food aggression in dogs should be an essential part of your dog training routine, regardless of whether your pooch exhibits the classic signs of resource guarding in dogs or not. If people don’t bother their dogs while they are eating, and they purposely avoid going near them when they have a bone or other treasure, trouble can be averted. This technique is a great way to get your pooch to stop feeling anxious or overly protective of their possessions. One of the common reasons why dogs bark toward their food is the sudden change. A single person who rarely entertains is in a very different situation than a family with five small kids who have additional children over to play nearly every day. Wild animals who successfully protect their valuable resourcessuch as food, mates and living areasare more likely to survive in the wild than those who dont. This behavior is also known as “possessive aggression” and may occur in dogs … Sign up and get the answers to your questions. Hold a treat or other desirable object right by his nose, and if he drops the contraband, give him the offered item. There’s nothing more efficient than using treats to encourage wanted behavior, and... Focus on Desensitization. Every dogs wants to chew it right this minute. The behavior can also extend to treats. Even though taking away toys or rewards can be a great method to help your dog recognize the unwanted behavior, in the case of resource guarding, this technique can only be counterproductive. I suggest doing this only once or twice per session; even though the dog receives a treat, the interruption can still be irritating. Despite the challenges of sharing a home with a dog who guards resources, it’s common for people to choose to live with it. All Rights Reserved. Male dogs will start to 'mark' their territory by spraying urine; Dog-to-dog aggression becomes more common and your pup may be more picky about who he sees as a friend; General irritability and moodiness isn't at all unusual; Territorial behavior and resource guarding might suddenly appear Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the know. In case you have an adult dog that aggressively guards their food, try these methods: Sharing is caring, and your dog needs to learn this ASAP. Use leashes to control the situation, and gradually reduce the distance between dogs during meals, being careful to notice if the food aggressive dog gets uncomfortable or stressed. Many dogs are frightened when a new person touches them, visits... Resource Guarding. Of course, you should always start with low-intensity actions and work your way up to triggering situations. There are three degrees of food aggression: By taking away their valuables, you’re only reinforcing their fear, rather than actually getting to the root of the problem. Dogs can get possessive over just about anything you can imagine. Some dogs guard resources that are valuable to them – food, toys, space or even you! Unfortunately, this strategy is far more likely to lead to food-bowl aggression than to prevent it. Just like with other behavioral problems, it’s precisely at that age when the problem is easiest to correct. In practical terms, you’ll see your dog stiffen, growl or curl their lip when another dog or human approaches them when occupied with a resource. In 1999 she relocated to San Francisco, where she directs the San Francisco SPCA’s Academy for Dog Trainers, regarded as the Harvard for dog trainers. Resource guarding in dogs can range from relatively benign behavior, like running away with a coveted item or growling at an approaching person, to full-blown aggression, such as biting or chasing a person away. In this case the inner reward is mostly sending the people away, so that dog feels safe again. Just like a bodybuilder needs to continue training after they reach peak physical aptitude, you should continue to reward your dog’s good behavior, lest they forget that being a good dog has its perks. (I imagine dogs in that situation feel like I do when a restaurant server refills my water glass every time I take a sip: mildly harassed.). To prevent puppy food aggression, make sure to spend time with them while they eat. If you adopt a puppy, it's crucial to teach him that he has no reason to … I’m not excusing it or saying that it’s not a problem, but like barking and chewing, it is accepted by many people as part of living with a dog—although clearly, it’s nobody’s favorite part. Of course, you shouldn’t pet food aggressive dogs of the blue, but rather when you’ve mastered the previous step of the process. Giving extra treats when a dog has something of value is a useful technique for prevention of resource guarding, but it can also be used to stop an existing behavior. When you recognize this as just another part of their nature, it will be easier to approach the problem rationally and start working towards a resolution. When it comes to resource guarding between dogs, the trick is to react fast and persistently work on the issue. Age/hormones of dog showing guarding behaviors – Some dogs will show sudden increases in guarding as they mature but then when reach adulthood things stay the same. Even though resource guarding can become far more serious, it’s one of my favorite behavioral problems, for several reasons. Not only that these fits are sudden, they are also very surprising for the owner, since these were not aggressive dogs to begin with. Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer’s World View Can Improve Your Life, The Best Solution for a Dog Who Pulls On-Leash, 8 Things We Do That Really Confuse Our Dogs, Changing a Friend’s Approach to Dog Training, Train Your Dog, Train the People in Your Life: Part 3. Dogs get scared more than their pet owners know. The same goes for the so-called “cocker rage” syndrome, which has been unjustly attributed to Cocker Spaniels. By training your dog to stop resource guarding, you are creating a better atmosphere for you and your dog. Can It Be Related To Resource Guarding? Even if it means fighting over cuddles and not kibble! Myth #1: Resource guarding is abnormal behavior. Dogs are often nervous about losing what they value. Another strategy is to have the dog drop the object, give him a treat and then give him back the item. People who have a dog with this predilection know when to expect the behavior, and they simply avoid going near their dog when he has a valued item. Many people have been advised to put their hand in the dog’s food bowl, or to pick up the bowl and hold it. Dogs are stoic creatures. Resource guarding (or often known as food aggression) is a type of dog behavior problem that can be described as a form of dog aggression and can be seriously dangerous for anyone close to the object, person, animal, or whatever represents a valuable resource from the dog’s perspective. In most cases, resource guarding is subtle. Yes, a person. While some dogs will never become resourceguarders, even when provoked, others can be taught to be aggressive around their food. Trading is far better than a battle, and is very effective, especially if he’s “trading up”—getting something better than what he surrenders. People can deal with this problem by preventing situations that trigger problem behavior (particularly aggression) and with behavior modification that alters how the dog behaves when he has something of value. Resource Guarding in dogs does not mean you have an aggressive dog. Separation is Good. If they allowed other dogs – or any other animal who happened along as they were eating – to take their food away, they wouldn’t live long enough for the species to survive! But we shouldn’t assume that dogs who are lovely but perhaps not so nonchalant about being mugged are bad. This predictability may account for the lack of concern many have about resource guarding. Prevent Resource Guarding. Change Up Your Dogs Feeding Routine. It’s unbelievable how dogs can mask excruciating pain. I advise people to walk toward their dog and toss a really good treat into the bowl or near their treasure. To avoid that, instead of taking something from a dog, trade him for it. Other dogs guard their resources from all people. Usually moist and smelly works best,... Know the distance at which your dog begins to resource guard. Try petting them or place your hand near the bowl, simultaneously encouraging them with praise. We’ve all heard the term “dangerous breed” before and, hopefully, most of us know that stereotypes about specific dog breeds are often just misconceptions. Life with a dog who allows absolutely anyone to take absolutely anything away from him is pretty easy, but that’s really a lot to ask of even the dearest, sweetest dog on the planet. But learning how to stop a dog from guarding food or other valuables is not all you need to know. It’s very important to help dogs feel happy about releasing items and to actively avoid making it a negative experience. Some dog trainers specialize in aggression or resource-guarding, too. But how do you teach a dog to share food if they growl when anyone comes close? To be able to gnaw at it, your dog will have to tolerate you being near and touching their food. Sometimes, it seems like a dog is guarding the owner when in reality the dog simply feels uncomfortable or is fearful of having people walk near. Myth #2: Because resource guarding is driven largely by genetics, it can’t be changed. », Dog sounds can convey important meaning and the better you can get at discerning them, the better you’ll understand your four-legged companion. Supervising al interactions between dogs and people is vital. Another one of the most common reasons for sudden aggression in dogs would be possessiveness or resource guarding. The third option is the most common one, and it stems from jealousy and competition. If a dog has a bone (or food or a shoe or the remote control) and it is taken from him, he learns that he loses treasures unless he takes action. stuck in the door frame or fallen under the fridge) we’re managing pretty good. If a dog is calm while you’re near them during mealtime, the next and final step is getting them to feel relaxed if you touch them or their food. With that in mind, a key aspect of preventing resource guarding, including its most common form—food bowl aggression—is to teach dogs to be happy when someone approaches or reaches for their treasure, or for the bowl while they’re eating. It never fails; one dog finds the nylabone that has not been chewed on in years. This way, your fur baby learns that it’s OK for someone to touch their food and that it doesn’t mean they’ll stay hungry. Actually, in present times this is unwanted behaviour as it might turn into a serious behavioural problem that makes everyone hate your dog. Success can only be achieved by gradually working toward that goal and requires many steps and many repetitions over a period of weeks and months. Resource Guarding. For example, if your four-legged baby turns into a beast when you get near them during mealtime, start by standing in another corner of the room. Not only there’s a risk that your resource guarding dog could harm another pet, their aggressive behavior can also disrupt the whole household dynamic. In case your dog attacks other dogs over territory, or growls or snaps at you over a bowl of food, you’ll need to correct their behavior to prevent potential aggression problems in the future. Resource guarding in dogs is exactly what the name suggests — it’s when dogs protect their valued resources, such as food or territory, by displaying aggressive behavior. The safest method includes having someone help you keep eyes on both dogs, as well as maintaining a safe distance between them. If you adopted a senior dog or a shelter rescue, it’s more likely that this behavior is a result of a past trauma. This type of aggression tends to come about when your dog feels that important … He might put his paw on it or even give you a look that means something along the lines of “Don’t even think about it,” or “Please don’t take it away. As is true of other undesirable behavior, though it can be changed and improved with behavior modification, tons of people choose to accept it, figuring that life is too short to demand perfection of their best friends in all contexts. Another cause is possessive aggression, or resource guarding, which occurs when a dog is defending its resources such as a toy, a bone or food. Some dogs only direct resource guarding toward certain people, often strangers. Some of the worst resourceguarders I’ve ever seen were taught to be that way by their well-intentioned guardians. This teaches him that he gets paid for letting go of things rather than that he will be mugged whenever he has something valuable. Is it in a corner or in … The best way to … Creating this positive emotional reaction is simple: teach the dog to associate the approach of a person with treats. Resource guarding and possessiveness. For multiple dog households, separate dogs to prevent resource guarding behavior. In Cockers, resource guarding, something I call possession aggression, is the most common aggression I am asked to treat. For a wild animal, loss of important resources can mean death. However, if your dog has severe food aggression and is prone to biting and attacking, you might want a get a consultation or evaluation from a professional dog trainer before you try this method. How important it is to train dogs not to resource guard is an individual decision; many people are highly committed to changing their dog’s resource guarding behavior, while others, not so much. In case you don’t know what is cocker rage, it’s another name for Sudden Onset Aggression (SOA), which manifests as an unexpected attack or display of aggression, often against their owners, after which the dog has no recollection of the act. This is the dog's way of saying, "Back off! Discover how to tell if your dog is depressed and get that tail wagging again. Canine possession aggression is also sometimes referred to as food aggression or resource guarding. But it’s important to realize that this doesn’t have to mean your dog is aggressive. A dog with a pig’s ear, for example, may turn his body to shield his precious treasure from anyone approaching, or he may pick it up and carry it to another room. Some females will guard more intensely when going into heat. Resource guarding is when a dog controls access to food, objects, people and locations that are important to him through defensive body language or overt aggressive display.This is a relatively common canine behavior and is influenced by a number of environmental and situational stimuli, including a dog’s natural instinct to survive. This is the act of aggressively protecting objects such as toys, pigs ears, rawhide chews, the dogs bed, the dogs space, stroking, bones, or articles that the dog has found or stolen. Whether it’s their favorite toy, a bowl of kibble or a soft spot on the sofa, dogs can get possessive of things (and people!) Resource guarding, or possession aggression, as it is sometimes called, occurs when a dog tries to protect a coveted “resource” from another dog or person. Then, slowly, start reducing the distance between you, until you get to a stage when you can comfortably pet your dog while they eat or touch their food without an aggressive response. Dogs are often nervous about losing what they value. In case your dog doesn’t mind you being around their food but goes ballistic when another dog comes near them in the middle of their meal, you’ll need a slightly different approach. Understanding resource guarding aggression in dogs: Summary. Would you be nervous if a child approached while he had a rawhide? Your furry bundle of joy will break this bad habit in no time! You changed your dog’s food. A resource is anything your dog finds valuable enough to protect. This change in his emotional response is what will lead to a change in his behavior. Even if it might seem different, resource guarding is a common, normal behavior for dogs. Resource guarding refers to a dog displaying behavior (growling, snapping, etc.) A dog may resource guard his owner, food, toys, or any item or space he feels is valuable. (If the dog has previously bitten or threatened anyone, I advise having a behaviorist supervise this interaction.). intended to convince other dogs or humans to stay away from a particular treasure or “resource.” The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place (a bed or favorite chair), or occasionally a person. Such actions are irksome, so it’s no surprise that many dogs will lose their temper eventually. This helps him learn that it’s worthwhile to release things. Seeing your precious, cuddly pooch bare their teeth at you or snapping at their furry companions can be stressful, devastating, and, sometimes, scary. Karen B. London, Ph.D. is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who specializes in working with dogs with serious behavioral issues, including aggression. You can observe a dog resource guarding a favourite human being. However, there are different levels of resource guarding in dogs, ranging from fairly harmless to severe aggression. Food aggression is a form of resource guarding in which a dog becomes very defensive when eating, using threats to force others away. If you can answer no to all of these questions, take a moment to appreciate your good fortune: you have what most dog people want. If your dog has this problem, it may growl, snap, or bite to protect a resource, such as food, toys, beds, or other objects, from being taken away by another dog or person. Two, behavior-modification plans are easy to implement, clients usually buy into them and they are effective at improving the dog’s behavior. If you answered any in the affirmative, your dog is exhibiting behavior that canine professionals call “resource guarding.”. ... or resource guarding… People accidentally teach dogs to guard their resources in other ways as well. Resource guarding is both common and absolutely normal canine behavior. Of course, predictability varies depending on the household. It could be due to a change in diet, resource guarding, fear, or behavioral issues. I want it.” Few people are troubled by such mild forms of resource guarding. To that list, add glaring, snapping, barking, leaning over the resource to shield it and biting. Subscribe to receive a free dog anxiety treatment guide. 3. At the same, time, many dogs that show resource guarding in the shelter later have no problem at home. If your dog figures out that sharing their toys or tolerating company during dinner time means tasty treats, you can bet they’ll forget all about growling and snapping. She is the author of six books about canine training and behavior, including her most recent, Treat Everyone Like a Dog: How a Dog Trainer’s World View Can Improve Your Life, Copyright © 1997-2020 The Bark, Inc. Dog Is My Co-Pilot® is a registered trademark of The Bark, Inc. Dog resource guarding is a common— and fixable—behavior. Where do you feed your dog everyday? An effective trick is to offer them a chewy treat while you keep one end of the treat in your hand. Three, many people choose to simply live with it, managing it as best they can. However, we find the tendency to guard valued items undesirable in our domestic pets, especially when the behavior is directed toward people. Dogs are pre-programmed not to want to share valued resources with others. There are, of course, dogs who are as unlikely to guard resources as they are to calculate Schrödinger’s wave equation. Some dogs go crazy over dirty socks; others defend their tattered toys or don’t let anyone touch their owner. Although Cocker Spaniels can have this affliction, they are not the only breed prone to this rare syndrome. Guarding possessions from humans or other animals is normal behavior for dogs. For example, if you see a puppy guarding their food bowl even though they’re still a baby, chances are it’s a trait inherited from one or both parents. Since resource guarding is a problem that is often accidentally shaped over time, watch for any signs that your puppy is being over protective of her possessions. The most common reasons for resource guarding are: If your pooch exhibits symptoms of resource guarding, it won’t be difficult to get to the root of the problem. Why is My Dog Suddenly Aggressive? Below, I discussed these possible scenarios, and if you have to do something about it: Reasons why dogs bark at their food 1. RESOURC E GUARDING DOGS. Myth #3: Resource guarding can be cured by making a dog realize that resources are abundant. By continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of our cookies. See our Cookie Policy for more details. Jean has lectured to a wide variety of groups in North American, the UK, Japan and Australia. By gradually introducing so-called triggering elements, like the presence of another dog or touching their bowl while they eat, you’ll desensitize your dog to actions that used to stress them out and induce resource guarding behavior. Resource guarding dogs are always anxious that their food, toys or other possessions will be taken away, which is why they become defensive or aggressive when they feel threatened. If food, bones or chewies turn your sweetie into a growling, snarling monster, then your dog has an issue with resource guarding, or CPA (canine possession aggression). Dogs of any age, breed or sex can exhibit aggression and resource guarding behaviors, which is why it’s important to prevent them. If your pooch starts eating faster when you approach them while they eat, or runs away with their toy when they see another dog, it’s safe to say there is not much to worry about. », Studies have shown that dogs have similar emotions as humans, and they understand us through gestures and emotional expressions rather than words. When you’re at work, treat cameras such as Petcube Bites can help you keep your mischievous pup in line and prevent potential conflicts over food or toys. Try playing with real pets in shelters using our Petcube app. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply, 10 Father's Day Gift Ideas for Modern Pet Dads, My Dog is Not Eating: Reasons & Solutions For Loss of Appetite in Dogs, 9 Free Courses and Books Pet Parents Shouldn’t Miss, How to Prevent Resource Guarding Between Dogs, Your Essential Guide to Understanding Depression in Dogs, Snapping, biting and growling if you get close to their food bowl, Attacking or growling at other dogs during meal time, Eating much faster when someone is near (. Does he stiffen if you try to take a toy from him? In most cases, learning how to understand this behavior and cope with it is equally important. Start by standing outside the dog’s reaction zone and tossing high-quality treats to him. Further antagonizing them will only make the matters worse! However, even though some researchers think that cocker rage might be caused by inherited genes, it doesn’t mean that food aggression in dogs or resource guarding are behaviors typical to any breed. So yes, resource guarding dog to dog was a major topic and though it still happens from time to time that Robby doesn’t move the entire day and growls when one of the other dogs try to pass in front of him just because my partner doesn’t realize that he is guarding a treat that is inaccessible (e.g. The point is, resource guarding and food possession is hard to predict. Resource Guarding or Aggression in Dogs. A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs and the newly released FIGHT! How to Prevent Resource Guarding Between Dogs Use Treats as Positive Reinforcement. That may not sound very inspiring, but I consider any solution that keeps a dog at home and people safe while allowing a loving relationship between the two to flourish and grow to be a success. Dogs exhibit behaviour of resource guarding humans. Copyright © 2021 Petfeed ®. Their basic instinct is to protect their food source and hide it from potential predators. This is know as resource guarding aggression. Get the latest news from Petcube about pet care, rescue and funny videos. The closer you get, the more intense the situation becomes. Resource guarding in dogs can range from relativel… A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs." Translated into a domesticated, modern setting, this means that some dogs will have an aggressive reaction if someone gets close to their kibble. Suddenly, the forgotten nylabone becomes a hot commodity. Although seeing your pooch prize something that much might be adorable, the cuteness quickly fades away when your dog starts growling or biting to protect their “possessions”. Use a firm, calm voice when giving commands to your dog, and after your pooch starts relaxing instead of being on guard, reward their good behavior with their favorite chewy snack or delicious treat. This type of canine behavior is called resource guarding or possessive aggression. Use the two-way audio function to voice the command, and reward your pooch’s obedience by dispensing a tasty treat! Work at each level of intensity until the dog is comfortable, and only then progress to something harder.