This article was reviewed by Natalie Punt, DVM and by How.com.vn staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 1,145 times.
Resource guarding can be alarming or even scary for a dog owner to experience—so what should you do when it happens? Resource guarding is any behavior where a dog tries to assert ownership over something, whether it’s a toy, a bed, food (sometimes called food aggression), or even a person. In response to a person or dog approaching, your pup might growl, bare their teeth, or even lunge. Keep reading to learn how to stop resource guarding, how to prevent it, and why it happens.
Things You Should Know
- Toss your dog a high-value treat (like a hot dog) every time they have something they guard. Approach at a safe distance, toss the treat, then turn and leave.
- Teach them to “drop” what they’re holding by giving them a low-value toy and placing a treat under their nose. When they drop the toy, give them the treat.
- If your dog is hyper-possessive over a specific toy or item, remove it from the house or put it somewhere your dog can’t get to it.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/teaching-your-dog-to-drop-it/
- ↑ https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/how-teach-dog-trade
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/positive-reinforcement-training
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/positive-reinforcement-training
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding
- ↑ https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/teaching-sit-stop-guarding-dog-training-plan
- ↑ https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/teaching-sit-stop-guarding-dog-training-plan
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/resource-guarding-dogs
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/food-guarding
- ↑ https://myhswm.org/living-with-multiple-dogs-resource/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/preventing-resource-guarding/
- ↑ https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/how-stop-food-aggression-and-resource-guarding-dogs
- ↑ https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/do-underweight-dogs-resource-guard-more
- ↑ https://animalshelter.adcogov.org/sites/default/files/How%20to%20Stop%20Your%20Puppy%20From%20Play%20Biting.pdf
About This Article
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.