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The Ultimate Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs

Mario Benedetti

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Mine! - A Pratical Guide To Resource Guarding In Dogs

by Jean Donaldson

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	764 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Print length	:	110 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

What is resource guarding?

Resource guarding is a type of aggression that occurs when a dog feels threatened that something valuable to them is being taken away. This can include food, toys, bedding, or even people. Resource guarding can be a serious problem, as it can lead to bites and other injuries.

What are the signs of resource guarding?

There are a number of signs that may indicate that your dog is resource guarding. These include:

Growling
Snapping
Biting
Stiffening of the body
Raising the hackles
Staring
Lunging
Blocking access to the resource

What causes resource guarding?

There are a number of factors that can contribute to resource guarding in dogs. These include:

Genetics
Early experiences
Lack of socialization
Fear or anxiety
Pain or discomfort
Competition for resources

How to prevent resource guarding

There are a number of things you can do to prevent resource guarding in your dog. These include:

Socialize your dog: Expose your dog to a variety of people, animals, and situations from a young age. This will help them learn to be comfortable with sharing and not to feel threatened by others.
Teach your dog to share: Start by teaching your dog to share toys with you. Once they have mastered this, you can gradually add other things, such as food and bedding.
Avoid competition: Don't feed your dog in a high-traffic area or near other animals. This will help them to feel more secure and less likely to guard their food.
Provide plenty of resources: Make sure your dog has plenty of food, water, toys, and bedding. This will help them to feel less anxious about losing resources.

How to manage resource guarding

If your dog is already exhibiting signs of resource guarding, there are a number of things you can do to manage the problem. These include:

Identify the triggers: Pay attention to what triggers your dog's resource guarding. Is it food, toys, people, or something else? Once you know what the triggers are, you can start to avoid them or manage them.
Trade up: If your dog is guarding a resource, try to trade it for something of equal or greater value. This will help them to learn that they don't need to guard their resources because they will always get something better in return.
Distance: If your dog is guarding a resource, try to put some distance between them and the resource. This will help them to feel less threatened and more relaxed.
Training: There are a number of training techniques that can help to reduce resource guarding in dogs. These techniques include counter-conditioning, desensitization, and obedience training.

Resource guarding is a serious problem, but it can be managed and even prevented. By following the tips in this guide, you can help your dog to learn to share and not to feel threatened by others.

Mine! - A Pratical Guide To Resource Guarding In Dogs

by Jean Donaldson

4.4 out of 5