Resource guarding? Or not.

Tiffy, I would say it is guarding, but it is also communication.

I had to shake my head at some of the responses. I will say that I allowed the cats to correct the dog and the dog to correct the cats. The results:

 This is Kord with a 7 week old kitten I fostered.

Same kitten, a little bigger, but not much.

My older cat will share a food dish with Kord as well. They all share a water dish. Makes for some soggy cats on occasion but there are no fights over food.

I will add a disclaimer, my older cat will communicated his displeasure or act out his anger at Kord if he gets over stimulated (Kord that is), to the point that he actually had Kord seriously growling back in defense when the cat cornered him on the bed next to me. I had to stand between the 2, with the dog behind me for safety not the cat

Interestesting what this conversation has turned into.

My animals need to effectively communicate. Peroid. It's a necessity otherwise I cannot leave them alone together. All of my animals are well socialized with each other but minor glitches happen (i.e. the food incident)...

espencer - If the dog gives a warning growl and the cat retreats automatically why would I correct the dog and try and remove the cat? It's already worked out. I guess that's my point, that I'm not going to correct the dog after his reaction to the situation already diffused it. It was a justified, mild and tolerable reaction. I don't understand the reasoning behind doing any form of correction in this specific situation...

 I started this thread about a 10 week old kitten with absolutely no boundaries and Tootsie, the most laid back dog in the world. Yes, she growled, but I took it as back up this is my food. I know my dog very well and her growl would go no farther than a growl. In fact, if the kitten persisted Tootsie would just walk away.

tiffy

 I started this thread about a 10 week old kitten with absolutely no boundaries and Tootsie, the most laid back dog in the world. Yes, she growled, but I took it as back up this is my food. I know my dog very well and her growl would go no farther than a growl. In fact, if the kitten persisted Tootsie would just walk away.

I agree. You know your dog well. The kitten needed the reminder that there are boundries. I don't think Tootsie did anything wrong.

Thank you! If Tootsie wants to growl I'll let her. A growl, IMO, deserves no correction.

tiffy

Thank you! If Tootsie wants to growl I'll let her. A growl, IMO, deserves no correction.