Grrrr! How to Stop Resource Guarding?

Imagine, your Fido is having dinner while you decide to tidy up the place around. You are about to get your hands to his favourite toy, but as you bend down to grab it your pup starts growling. Angrily. At you, the provider of love, affection, food, and shelter. “What’s going on?” You think to yourself. This can cause an intense feeling of fear.

This is actually called resource guarding. I know because my dog, Momo is enormously restless and timid and shows guarding behaviours for various resources. Full disclosure: I’m no expert here. I’m an inquisitive owner of a slightly troubled dog who wishes to take a deeper dive with you on how to stop resource guarding.

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Resource guarding is when a dog becomes overly defensive in order to keep you away from a specific item that they treasure. When you go near or try to take something from them, that they value, they might growl, or bite. It is a prized character for feral dogs because it allows them to survive on limited means in the wild. But it’s not such a great quality for house-trained animals.

It is also likely that you won’t know that your dog has inclinations toward resource guarding till they start flashing them. But there are body language signs to watch for when a dog is trying to guard an item. They stiffen their body over an item, give a tough stare, baring of teeth, whale eye, lifting of lips and low growling. This behaviour is also called possessive aggression and can be relatively distressing and frightening for a dog owner to experience.

Do I need to say, prevention is better than cure? Even if your dog isn’t showing any evident signs of resource guarding, it’s a good idea to watch him cut the chances of them developing troubles around food or toys in the future.

Remember, your reaction to the behaviour can either help resolve your dog’s resource guarding or make it severe. The entire process will take a month or two if you are thinking of working with your dog to avoid or rectify resource guarding. However, if your dog is displaying intense resource guarding behaviour, I would suggest contacting your vet who can recommend a competent behaviourist. Don’t forget, a stitch in time saves nine.

Socialization

Dogs show varying degrees of distress when approached by unfamiliar people or other animals which can cause a dog to start resource guarding. Teach him early that being in the presence of others means good things and reward him for being polite around visitors.

Teach him to trade

Before he develops any guarding problems, teach your dog the significance of trading. Give him a toy and allow him to play. Then offer him a treat as a trade for the toy. Take the toy away while giving him the treat. This will help cultivate affirmative connotations with the removal of toys.

Permission-based training

Toys or treats should only be given after he asks permission in the form of following an obedience command like ‘sit’ or ‘down’. Your dog should know that he has to work to get things that he wants.

Handle food early

Handle his food bowl as much as possible. Drop special treats into the bowl before returning it to him so that he develops a good connection with you taking his bowl from him.

Rewards are earned

A reward should never be given unless it is earned. Make it clear that he only earns treats, food or toys after he does something you ask.

Teach him to ‘Drop It’

Start with something that is of very low value to your dog and give it to him after he performs a command for you. Then bring something that is higher in value like a yummy treat or a favourite toy. Say ‘drop it’ as you give the higher value thing and instantly reward when he leaves the lower value object alone. Repeat this often.

Exercise

Tire him out with long walks and leave him with toys or games that are mentally stimulating. A tired dog has less energy to disobey most of the time.

Never punish

Don’t punish your dog for resource guarding. If he knows that a bad punishment happens when you try to take what he is guarding, this may only elevate his anger.

From the September 2021 issue of FHM India.