First serious signs of resourcce guarding:the bone growl

[Shamas mom]

Shamas has gone a while without a bone, and we got him some new ones this week. The first thing I noticed: Matt walked by and got growled at. I'm not too happy about this.

Shamas has never had an issue with resource guarding before. He had to be taught that the cats also needed feeding, when wee first got him, because hed try to eat everyone's food...but it wasn't mean it was greedy. He shares his toys, doesn't make an issue if I walk into the room and say "That's mine" and take something. He has left some kibble in his bowl the last few days, and if Matt investigates will run him off...but not growling, more of a rush with head low to the bowl.

The bone is the first growl.

I told him to take his bone to his crate rather than under the table, as there'd be less traffic there.

Suggestions?

 

[Charlie]

If Shamas doesn't finish his kibble take it away don't leave it. I would give him his bone outside and leave him in peace to eat it. It's a treat so he should be allowed to enjoy it without anyone going near him. xx

 

[Boogie]

I wouldn’t take anything without swapping for something better (in the dog’s eyes). I would feed bones in the crate with the door closed so that he knows its entirely his. I’d also pick up any left over kibble.

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[Oberon]

Agree with Boogie - don’t take without an exchange for something better. And make it impossible for him to feel disturbed if he has a bone. Though personally I would not give long lasting bones at all as they wear teeth down and have the potential to break teeth.

I wouldn’t be too worried about the growl, to be honest. A bone is a very valuable resource and most dogs will be very concerned about making sure they get to keep it. So growling when in possession of a bone is normal, especially in a young dog who is working out the ways of the world. It’s your job as the human to prove to him that there’s no reason to think he’ll lose the bone, hence no reason to growl.

 

[Shamas mom]

I wouldn’t take anything without swapping for something better (in the dog’s eyes). I would feed bones in the crate with the door closed so that he knows its entirely his. I’d also pick up any left over kibble.

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Normally I trade for kibble, or whatever food item is on hand. He's become adept at finding random things to take under the table lately, and decided that he likes tupperware and water bottles-thus my reclaiming. My son is getting very annoyed at having the dog going into his room and take water bottles before he's finished with them, and I'm starting to get fed up with the puddles on the floor from half-drunk bottles being bitten. but we've trained him to bring them in for trade most of the time.

I'll work on having bones in the crate, as outside is not an option-he's already feeling threatened by the neighbour's dog and being watched closely to prevent fence-fighting. He doesn't use the yard unless someone's out with him.

 

[MaccieD]

My advice in general when it comes to bones if there is a problem is simply not to give bones. It solves all problems around management.

 

[Granca]

I’d also pick up any left over kibble.

What is ‘left over kibble’?!

 

[UncleBob]

... It’s your job as the human to prove to him that there’s no reason to think he’ll lose the bone, hence no reason to growl....

This was the approach that we took with Harv. It was basically an extension of the 'drop it' training that we did but instead of replacing the dropped item with something more desirable we simply gave the bone back again - immediately to start with and then gradually creating a delay. I would also hold the bone while Harv ate it as I'd read somewhere that this helped with the bonding process.

We do now have a minor related problem - Harv will only eat bones while I'm holding them! If I let go he keeps nudging me with it until I hold it again . It's quite a messy process but Harv enjoys it and, tbh, so do I.

 

[Shamas mom]

This was the approach that we took with Harv. It was basically an extension of the 'drop it' training that we did but instead of replacing the dropped item with something more desirable we simply gave the bone back again - immediately to start with and then gradually creating a delay. I would also hold the bone while Harv ate it as I'd read somewhere that this helped with the bonding process.

We do now have a minor related problem - Harv will only eat bones while I'm holding them! If I let go he keeps nudging me with it until I hold it again . It's quite a messy process but Harv enjoys it and, tbh, so do I.

I pick up Shamas bones on a regular basis. He doesn't have a problem there....just sits nicely and waits for me to put it back in his mouth.

He might have been grouchy that day...He hasn't growled at Matt again since. Seems to have figured out that Matt has no desire for his bone