Dog Trainer Rockdale – Eazy Dog Training – Classes & Home Dog Training

Dog Trainer Rockdale – Eazy Dog Training – Classes & Private Dog Training in Rockdale

How to Deal With a Dog That Guards

Does your dog turn into a devil when food or toys are present?

Here’s advice from your dog trainer in Rockdale on what you should do if your dog guards his food and toys.

Did your cute little puppy just growl at you for the first time? Did your dog snagg a sock from your laundry pile and dash under the bed to chew on it? And when you reached under to get it, he growled at you? You reached again for the sock, and he snapped at you! Your dog is resource guarding something that he feels to be too valuable to share with you.

Some dogs guard their treats, food bowls or toys. Some guard even their own owners. What we need to understand is that resource guarding in dogs is not uncommon and it’s natural behaviour. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t address it or take it seriously. Left alone, it can easily get a whole lot worse.

What Not To Do

Do not keep touching your dog or stick your hands in your dog’s food while he’s eating. This is very common, a lot of the time when I get contacted about this issue, this is what the owner has been doing. This would annoy anyone and can increase the chances of your dog becoming food possessive. Do not harass your dog while he’s eating. Dogs do not value physical affection very high, especially if food is present. And often they do not understand at all why you are touching them at that time. Don’t take his food away repeatedly during his mea eitherl. Your goal is not to annoy him or teach a negative association with people, but to teach him that your approach is something he should look forward to.

Teach Your Dog You Bring the Good Stuff

If your dog has already bitten you or snapped at you while resource guarding, please get help from a professional, positive dog trainer immeadiately.

If your dog guards his food bowl, start with an empty bowl first. Put a handful of  food in the bowl and move away a few steps. When he’s done eating, approach and put another handful of food in the bowl, then move away again. Repeat for the entire meal. Your dog should learn to start looking forward to you approaching his bowl.

Resource guarding can be scary, but it can be treated.