Tip of the week: Resource Guarding and Aggression

Post from our friends and Kate's course leader, Method K9:

Resource guarding of food can present itself in many ways.

The first way: the dog only resource guards when it has full possession of the food (this is the most common).

The second way: the dog resource guards when no one has possession of the food, as in running across the room to guard the food when someone approaches it (this is also somewhat common).

The third way: the dog resource guards when both human and dog have possession (this is less common).

The fourth way: the dog resource guards even when the human has full possession and is encouraging shared possession (this is more rare)

The fifth way: the dog resource guards when the human has full possession and is not attempting to share, as in a person carrying food in a bag or backpack, etc. (This is usually the most rare but still occurs.)

In order for us to address the first two, we need to address the third first. Dog needs to see the handler as a benevolent leader in order to make progress, and that progress starts with this first difficult but necessary conversation. The healthy and balanced relationship between handler and dog is the only way to true rehabilitation. High level corrections won't solve this (dictatorship) and bombardment with treats and rewards won't either (pushover). It comes down to respect, trust, and communication. Much like marriage 🤣🤣🤣