A dog’s resources include food, toys, space and people. Dogs may guard these items from other dogs and/or people. Most of us don’t want our dogs to guard anything from us. Good leadership skills help prevent guarding behavior but good training will help as well.
Guarding Objects from People:
The only thing more fun than running through the living room with dirty underwear in your mouth is running through the living room with dirty underwear in your mouth and having people chase you. Well, if you’re a dog that is! The end of this chase game may be a dog hiding under the bed with the underwear and someone reaching to grab it away. Unfortunately, if this is repeated enough times, the end of the game may be the person reaching for the dog receiving a bite.
Chasing a dog or prying the dog’s mouth open to get something away from him or her stimulates guarding behavior. Both teach the dog to clamp down harder on what they have in their mouth and to try and get away. Instead, let’s teach your dog to give you anything they have in their mouth.
You will need:
- A thieving dog!
- Some toys and chewies
- Some really great treats (like cheese or hot dog)
- A Kong™ brand toy or any other toy that holds a treat
Step One:
- Start with something you dog doesn’t care much about. A piece of paper, old dog toy, ball point pen, or dust bunny will work well.
- Put the item down near the dog.·
- Ask your dog “trade ya?’” in a light, happy voice. If your dog looks up, away from the object, say “Yes!” and give your dog a treat. If your dog is not looking at the object (paper, old toy etc.) pick up the object and immediately put it down again.
- Repeat three or four times and STOP, walk away. Do it again, later, three or four times with a different, boring object. Repeat three times a day for a week or until your dog ALWAYS looks up immediately and allows you to remove and replace the object. Remember, the treat is for looking up. You must replace the object otherwise you aren’t trading, you’re stealing!
If your dog is looking at the object DO NOT TOUCH it.
Looking or staring is the first step of guarding behavior and can quickly escalate to a growl or bite. Wait; try asking “try trade ya’?” again. If your dog is still looking/staring at the object walk away and try later with a different, less enticing object.
Step Two:
- Put a dog treat in the Kong™ or toy which holds a treat.
- Put it down near the dog.
- After a minute or so, say “trade ya?”
- If the dog looks up, say “Yes!” and give a treat.
- Remove the Kong™ or toy which holds a treat and quickly put another dog treat in it and return it to your dog.
- After a minute or so, or as soon as your dog empties the object repeat three or four times and STOP, walk away. Do it again, later, three or four times with a different dog treat in the object. Repeat three times a day for a week or until your dog ALWAYS looks up immediately and allows you to remove and replace the object. Remember, the treat is for looking up. You must replace the object otherwise you aren’t trading, you’re stealing!
If your dog is looking at the object DO NOT TOUCH it.
Looking or staring is the first step of guarding behavior and can quickly escalate to a growl or bite. Wait; try asking “try trade ya’?” again. If your dog is still looking/staring at the object walk away and try later with a different, less enticing object.
Step Three:
- Now you’re ready to practice with some low value toys. Wait for your dog to have a toy which they like, but don’t love and say “trade ya?” when your dog looks up give a treat then pick up and replace the toy.
- Once your dog is comfortable with “trade ya?” in all those circumstances you can try it when your dog has something they value more in their mouth.
- Practice, practice, practice until your dog immediately leaves whatever he or she has when you say “trade ya?”.
- When you are trading for an object you don’t wish to return to your dog, the steps are the same except instead of returning the original object to your dog, remove the dirty underwear, snotty tissue or sock and replace it with a dog toy. Remember, the treat is for looking up – you must always replace any object you remove with something your dog enjoys like a toy or chewie.
- Practice frequently on objects your dog doesn’t care much about so when it really counts, your dog will readily give up whatever they have. Our students have reported success with having their dogs relinquish everything from socks to purloined flank steak!
Some Object Guarding Preventatives:
- Give your dog privacy with high value items like pig ears, rawhide and other great treats. A crate is a great place to chew undisturbed by other dogs, children and people.
- Practice good leadership skills granting and denying your dog permission for various behavior.
- Attend a well run, group training class with your dog to promote a good relationship between you. Contact the National Association for Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) for a training class in your area.
- Limit resources and access to resources when dogs are in a group.
- Some dogs are so stimulated by high value treats (Bully sticks, rawhide, pig ears and so on) they cannot handle being approached while they have the item. It is safer to discontinue treats of that kind with dogs who remain over stimulated rather than risk a bite.
- Taking an object away from a dog is the job of an adult. Children should NEVER attempt to take anything away from a dog.
Always remember to be safe. If your dog is eyeballing the object or has his or her foot on the object – that’s guarding. It isn’t safe to remove an object under those circumstances. And remember to never go under a bed, behind furniture or approach a dog in a corner who is guarding anything. While no one wants a trip to the veterinarian because the dog ate something he or she shouldn't, don't risk a trip to the emergency room as well.
Let us know your success story!
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