We are often asked “Can resource guarding behaviors be trained out of a puppy?” Does your puppy growl when you approach them while they are eating, or do they snap at you for trying to take some clothes that they have stolen? Fortunately, resource guarding behaviors can be successfully addressed through behavior modification training. This is important, as in most cases a puppy will not grow out of resource guarding behaviors without training. In fact, without training, these behaviors will often get worse as the puppy gets older.
What is resource guarding?
Resource guarding is aggressive behavior towards a person or other animal who approaches them when a dog has a highly valued item such as food, a person or an item including clothing or a favourite dog toy. Resource guarding is more likely to happen the longer the dog has the valued item, as well as if the person approaches them from a distance.
Signs of resource guarding include:
- Hunkering over a valued item
- Tensing up over an item
- Quickly rushing towards food and eating it when someone enters the room
- Crouching over the item and staring out of the corner of their eye
Now that we have discussed what resource guarding is and the signs. Let’s talk about common mistakes that happen when resource guarding isn’t addressed.
Three common mistakes that happen without behavior modification training
Typically, if help is not sought out, one or more of three common mistakes are made. Let’s discuss this in more detail below.
That the behavior is reinforced
The behavior is reinforced when a puppy learns that low level signals such as growling work to stop the person from trying to take what they are guarding.
The behavior is ignored
If the behavior is ignored, and the person continues to try to take the item. Then this will unintentionally teach the puppy that low level signals such as growling no longer work. The puppy may escalate the behavior, such as lunging and snapping to stop the person trying to take their item. This behavior is then reinforced because it generally gets the person to stop trying to take the item.
Low level signals are punished
When low level signals, such as growling, are punished, it may appear like the resource guarding behavior has been addressed. However, the motivation to keep the item, and keep someone away from the item will grow. This can often result in an unexpected bite, that seems to come out of nowhere.
The same three scenarios can happen with puppies who have touch sensitivity issues. This will result in the same negative outcomes. To find out more information on touch sensitivity, you should check out our blog on “Why does my dog hate the vet? tips for touch sensitive dogs“. Which has been published by our co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage.
So what is the best option to addressing resource guarding? You should contact a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a qualified professional when you see any signs of resource guarding. We also have helpful training tips and information on our TikTok channel and on our puppy training blog.
How do we address puppy resource guarding?
Beyond the Dog addresses resource guarding through a communication of positive reinforcement and classical conditioning, which includes teaching specific obedience behaviors that help to manage a puppy’s behavior around valued items. You can contact our pet behavior team for a free consultation to discuss your puppy’s behavior and your training goals.
Puppy’s are generally taught to be less concerned about a valued item, and to be happy when being approached by family members. For more information, you should check out our blog on “Why is my dog resource guarding?” blog, that has been written by our co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage.
We are here to help
Beyond the Dog offers board-and-train programs and virtual training programs to clients in Sarasota and to clients nationwide. While our Sarasota location offers personalized one-on-one training sessions, including training at your home and local Tampa neighborhood
We use scientifically proven training methods, backed by over 20 years of hands-on experience. Beyond the Dog Sarasota is led by our co-founders, Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and Sean Savage, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) and Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA).
