Resource Guarding
Resource Guarding is a common issue with ANY dog breed. Resource Guarding does NOT equal aggression.
First, it is entirely reasonable not to want someone to take away something you value. If I am hungry and you go to take my plate of food, I will likely stab you with a fork.
PLEASE do not try to “teach” your puppy/dog not to resource guard by TAKING things away. Constantly messing with your dog’s food, taking it away, putting your hand in their bowl, etc can CREATE resource guarding.
REMEMBER - your dog determines what is valuable to them. Some dogs are food obsessed and may be more prone to guard their bowl. Some are toy focused and may guard a favourite toy. Be aware and pay attention when your dog holds something in high value - this is both a resource that could be used for training/motivation and one that may be at risk for being guarded.
The best way to manage resource guarding is to prevent it from starting. Managing how dogs are fed and how and when they have chews, or other items of value can go a long ways to preventing resource guarding from ever starting.
DON’T interfere with your dog while they are eating - don’t take their food away, don’t put your hand in their bowl, don’t get in their space.
DO toss the occasional high value treat into their bowl while they are eating - associate you interacting with their food in a positive way!
DO teach impulse control by having your dog wait calmly for a meal and then releasing them - this helps teach focus and lessens the impulse to rush in and devour food as soon as it’s available.
DON’T give your dogs high value chews while in close proximity to each other. Feeling like they need to defend something they want will increase tendency to resource guard.
DO separate your dogs to allow them to calmly enjoy a high value chew - in runs/kennels/separate rooms.
DON’T get into the habit of grabbing everything out of your puppy’s mouth - this will simply teach them to play keep away AND encourage them to guard what they have.
DO trade your puppy/dog high value treats or toys for something they have stolen - soon you’ll have a dog who BRINGS you things for trade instead of guarding or racing off with it.
I feed my dogs separately in their runs. I have them go and wait in their runs (with doors open - a great chance to practice impulse control) when I am getting their food ready. I don’t like them milling about while I am getting their food, none of them are really resource guarders, but having them in a situation where they feel they are jostling for food would be a good way to create that.
Feeding them in their runs allows them to focus on their food without the threat of someone coming to take it from them. This encourages calmer behaviour while eating, decreases the tendency to gulp food (though the Dals are still remarkably quick eaters), and alleviates the need for them to feel like they’re having to watch out for other dogs coming towards their precious food bowl.
I have low-value chews (like Benebones) available in their toy box. These are chews that my crew enjoys, but they’re not so special that they feel the need to guard them.
If a dog decides to guard a chew (growls/stiffens when another dog approaches) it isn’t a bad thing, they’re simply communicating to the other dog that this is a chew they don’t want to share. I don’t correct the dog, but shortly after that I will remove the chew (trading for something else) and put it away. Preventing situations where dogs are likely to guard helps our household run smoothly. Every dog has a benebone in their run to enjoy when they are on their own.
High value chews are given separately. Most of my dogs can relax in their side-by-side runs with a chew, one dog is still suspicious of his neighbours so he enjoys high value chews out on the deck by himself. Separating them allows them to relax and enjoy the chew instead of being tense and feeling they need to guard their prize.
If you don’t have runs/kennels/crates where your dog(s) can be safely and comfortably separated, you can separate in different rooms, use baby gates to split up rooms, or have one outside and one inside.
Teaching impulse control can go a long way to helping prevent and manage resource guarding. Waiting to be fed. Waiting for a treat. Don’t make it arduously long, but do teach your dog that waiting calmly is the best way to get what they want.
Resource guarding can also present differently dog-to-dog vs. dog-human vs. dog-to-other animals. You may have a dog who will calmly relinquish a bone to you but guard it against a housemate dog or charge the cat as they walk by. A good rule of thumb is to separate your dog when they have a high-value item, so they don’t feel the need to guard from any people/other animals.
If resource guarding is an issue in your home - seek the help of a qualified and experienced trainer. Dogs guarding a resource can absolutely pose a risk to other animals or people in the household.
