PREVENTING resource guarding

Shohin

I have seen twice now an instance where gracie growls at winston when she has a toy and he wants it . . . I wouldn't consider her a "guarder" yet, but I can see it getting there if left unchecked.

What I've done in both situations is tell her no and take the object away from both dogs . . . I figure if they can't play nice, they can't have it. I don't know if this is the best approach though, but my logic is to prevent a problem from developing instead of trying to correct it once its already developed.

 

What are some other things I can do to prevent this from getting worse? We already employ NILF with the people in her life . . .
 

I understand your concern but I also think that if Gracie has a something and Winston tries to take it from her, a growl might not be inappropriate as long as it doesn't escalate. I'd be cautious that you don't inadvertently teach Gracie that if she has something and Winston wants it, then it seems to get taken away all the time.  It might ultimately make her even more guardy and not just from Winston, but also from you. If the guarding is a real problem (it is at our house), I'd suggest not allowing them to have toys or treats when they're together.

This is what I have done to prevent resource guarding...

1. The dogs eat their meals in their own crates.  I did this when another dog was introduced.  Now, I don't really care where the dogs eat b/c they have learned that I'm always going to feed them and there's no need to guard, but they see the food come out and wait in their crates.  coke sometimes takes his out but Kenya just finishes it in her crate.  If they don't eat it all, I pick it up after a few minutes.

2. I give them high value things, take them away, and give them back.  They learn to release the item with no fuss b/c often I just give it right back.  I can take anything from my dogs without so much as a sad look from them.

3. I've tried to "de-value" toys by doing the opposite of what most people recommend - we have a toy bin where the dogs can pick up a toy whenever they want.  Toys are not a big deal to them because they are always there.  There's plenty for everyone.  I've never had a fight over a toy yet.

4. If I give them something like a marrow bone, each dog gets one at the same time. 

5. If I let them lick a plate or something, they take turns.  I hold it out to one dog, then *I* decide when they are done and offer the rest to the other dog, then take it away.  No need for them to be pushing and shoving to get their heads in the bowl.

Now, my dogs do tug with each other, play keep away with each other, and try to take toys from each other.  This is actually a lot of their play. I don't take the toys away.

I have seen twice now an instance where gracie growls at winston when she has a toy and he wants it . . . I wouldn't consider her a "guarder" yet, but I can see it getting there if left unchecked.

What I've done in both situations is tell her no and take the object away from both dogs . . . I figure if they can't play nice, they can't have it. I don't know if this is the best approach though, but my logic is to prevent a problem from developing instead of trying to correct it once its already developed.

I would think a) she's perfectly within her rights to growl; and b) taking the object away from her will make the behavior worse. You're punishing Gracie for Winston's misdeed- why is he trying to steal her toy? that's the behavior you need to work on.

In addition and in agreement with the above posts I personally give the defending dog one opportunity to tell the offender to back off. I allow this because to a certain extent they need to learn to respect eachother on their own terms without my interfernace so they KNOW it is unnacpetable verus "mom wont allow it". I want them to know better instead of never being allowed to be given the opportunity to learn. In addition I would refrain from taking the toy/treat away for fear of the dog associationg my presence  with "treat time is over".

With that said all treat and toy time in my home is heavily monitored. If I cant devote 10-20 minutes to sit and hang out while they chew then they dont get a treat. I also feed seperately.

 Thanks for the replies . . . you've offered an alternative perspective that I hadn't considered previously. I should have added that this only seems to be happening with one particular toy so far and for every growl over the toy, there's at least an hour of "fair play" with it too . . . . perhaps I'm just too vigilant. The other thing is that all winston is trying to do is continue the game of keep-away . . . . or so it seems anyway.

I'll just keep a careful eye . . .
 

growls seem to freak people out, but it's just communication. Winston is saying I want to keep playing and Gracie is saying I don't, leave me alone.

Liesje

This is what I have done to prevent resource guarding...

1. The dogs eat their meals in their own crates.  I did this when another dog was introduced.  Now, I don't really care where the dogs eat b/c they have learned that I'm always going to feed them and there's no need to guard, but they see the food come out and wait in their crates.  coke sometimes takes his out but Kenya just finishes it in her crate.  If they don't eat it all, I pick it up after a few minutes.

2. I give them high value things, take them away, and give them back.  They learn to release the item with no fuss b/c often I just give it right back.  I can take anything from my dogs without so much as a sad look from them.

3. I've tried to "de-value" toys by doing the opposite of what most people recommend - we have a toy bin where the dogs can pick up a toy whenever they want.  Toys are not a big deal to them because they are always there.  There's plenty for everyone.  I've never had a fight over a toy yet.

4. If I give them something like a marrow bone, each dog gets one at the same time. 

5. If I let them lick a plate or something, they take turns.  I hold it out to one dog, then *I* decide when they are done and offer the rest to the other dog, then take it away.  No need for them to be pushing and shoving to get their heads in the bowl.

 

Now, my dogs do tug with each other, play keep away with each other, and try to take toys from each other.  This is actually a lot of their play. I don't take the toys away.

My God, Liesje......lol....what you wrote,that is actually how we do it at our house......toys are always available and there are no fights.....they lay around outside or in a basket inside.......

I think in most cases the availability of toys all the time minimizes the urge to fight for one......I said in most cases.....not all the time....but, it has always worked for us...

I think it also has a lot to do with the breed. If I lived in a german shepherd house I might not be as worried but as most of you know my breed has inhernat DA so I preffer not to take that chance, LOL!

AuroraLove

I think it also has a lot to do with the breed. If I lived in a german shepherd house I might not be as worried but as most of you know my breed has inhernat DA so I preffer not to take that chance, LOL!

 

Breed would be one consideration but in my case, with a lab mix and a lab, I think it's just personalities. I saw a fight break out over a leaf once. I'm sure the dog that ran to investigate what the other had thought it was something much more spectacular, but we just learned not to take any chances. I envy the folks that can feed or treat their dogs side by side, but it's just asking for trouble here.

AuroraLove

I think it also has a lot to do with the breed. If I lived in a german shepherd house I might not be as worried but as most of you know my breed has inhernat DA so I preffer not to take that chance, LOL!

 

Actually, we live with 3 GSDs, 1 Husky/Malamute mix and and 1 Husky /Chow mix.......lol....but, GSDs aren't the most easy going dogs.....if you don't stay on top of your game those dogs will soon run you and the rest of the show....not to mention morthern breeds can be difficult ....but, as I mentioned my application isn't the best for all situations.....

snownose

Liesje

This is what I have done to prevent resource guarding...

1. The dogs eat their meals in their own crates.  I did this when another dog was introduced.  Now, I don't really care where the dogs eat b/c they have learned that I'm always going to feed them and there's no need to guard, but they see the food come out and wait in their crates.  coke sometimes takes his out but Kenya just finishes it in her crate.  If they don't eat it all, I pick it up after a few minutes.

2. I give them high value things, take them away, and give them back.  They learn to release the item with no fuss b/c often I just give it right back.  I can take anything from my dogs without so much as a sad look from them.

3. I've tried to "de-value" toys by doing the opposite of what most people recommend - we have a toy bin where the dogs can pick up a toy whenever they want.  Toys are not a big deal to them because they are always there.  There's plenty for everyone.  I've never had a fight over a toy yet.

4. If I give them something like a marrow bone, each dog gets one at the same time. 

5. If I let them lick a plate or something, they take turns.  I hold it out to one dog, then *I* decide when they are done and offer the rest to the other dog, then take it away.  No need for them to be pushing and shoving to get their heads in the bowl.

 

Now, my dogs do tug with each other, play keep away with each other, and try to take toys from each other.  This is actually a lot of their play. I don't take the toys away.

My God, Liesje......lol....what you wrote,that is actually how we do it at our house......toys are always available and there are no fights.....they lay around outside or in a basket inside.......

I think in most cases the availability of toys all the time minimizes the urge to fight for one......I said in most cases.....not all the time....but, it has always worked for us...

Yep, it has worked for us.  I think part if it though is that neither dog is really possessive of any one toy - they don't really have favorites, so to speak.  They don't care WHICH toy they have as long as they can have one to chew.  They play fight over them, but if the other dog really wants one, he goes and gets his own from the box.  There are also three marrow bones in there.  I think there has only been two times ever I've felt the need to take away whatever they were playing with.

I never leave toys out- they don't play with them so much as work in concert to destroy them. Toys only come out for one on one play with people then get put away.

We've done it this way too except for #1, and their bowls are far away from each other. Especially as far as #3, having a toy box that's always how we've done it and we've NEVER had a problem. Who is recommending anything else and what is the logic?

To the OP - Sounds like you've gotten some great advice. I let my dogs communicate as long as it doesn't get dangerous. They learn what to respect and how to get along better without me stepping in and controlling their every interaction.  

Liesje

Yep, it has worked for us.

Liesje

If I let them lick a plate or something, they take turns.