Dangers of Protective Dog Behavior
This is a difficult question to answer because human feelings are being used to describe a dog’s reaction. Many pet owners feel their dogs are protecting them from threats. It’s a comforting feeling for humans, but dogs feel frustrated. When dogs growl at people approaching, while sitting in their pet owner’s lap, this is called resource guarding. Yes, your growling dog is protecting his resource, which is you, but protective dog behavior is dangerous that will get worse, if not addressed quickly.
Why Dogs Resource Guard Owners
Guarding valuable resources is a natural dog behavior, but it can cause issues within human homes. Dogs will guard beds, food bowls, high value toys, treats, space and people. Every dog has a different personality, but most will resource guard whatever they find valuable to a degree. Humans are certainly valuable because they put food in dog bowls, provide treats and toys, keep them safe, and can open doors.
Some dogs can bond so deeply with a specific person that they will start to resource guard her from other dogs, people and even children. Sometimes, resource guarding goes undetected until another person or dog enters the home, and then the chaos ensues. Resource guarding should certainly be addressed as soon as possible, as it can result in biting behavior. Plus, no one wants to live with a bully.
How to Change Protective Dog Behavior
While many pet owners feel flattered when their dog resource guards them, it’s important to know this behavior will only escalate, if not addressed immediately. When a dog is protecting a person, he’s reacting to a dog or person approaching the pet owner and himself. Protective dog behavior manifests differently for different dogs. Dogs will either freeze, glare at the approaching person, snarl, show teeth, snap or even bite. It’s important to change a dog’s perspective of people approaching while he’s next to his pet owner.
Make It Rain Cheese
Find treats your protective dog absolutely loves, and then chop them into pea-sized treats. Cheese, hot dogs, baked chicken or diced lunchmeat are excellent examples of high value dog treats.
Have a seat on the sofa (or wherever your dog usually resource guards you), and ask your dog to join you. Then, ask a friend to slowly walk into the room and stop at the entrance. As your friend approaches, ask her to toss a steady stream of treats toward your dog’s mouth. After a few seconds, ask your friend to leave the room. Pairing good things with scary situations will change your dog’s perspective, and soon he’ll learn that an approaching person makes cheese rain from the sky.
Oops, He Barked
If your dog barks at the approaching person, ignore him until he stops. Once your dog stops barking, say “yes” and reward with treats while your friend walks out of the room. Next time, practice with your friend standing a bit farther than last time, and continue having her toss treats to your dog. Dog training sessions should last 2-3 minutes maximum.
When to Get Help
Resource guarding can be tricky to address, so it’s always important to partner with a professional dog trainer who only uses positive reinforcement. If a dog lunges, bites, muzzle punches (hits person with muzzle) and/or snaps at someone, then it’s time to bring in a professional. Timing of treats and distance are critical components of resource guarding, and a professional dog trainer can address issues quickly and effectively.
My little mixed terrier i adopeted at 6 yrs old with A-male brother did 9 months in the pen, cutie was adopted out they both quit eating so turned back in, I took both day before there ending. The A-male died 1 year later flipped spleen??i did open casket buriel for his closure, We have had the worst 4 years of cancer(me) loss (my son he witnessed and licked him until i returned from cancer treatment.)I gave CPR until made quite he was murdered but by taking unknowingly Fentanyl. His grandson born 10 days later. I have Triple neg bcancer III, strongest chemo, radiation, birthdefect in lowerback lung damage, its back 2.6 yrs later im trying the hemp oil and CBD my Bailey has several begning turmurs and i put very little on them with coconut oil we both eat the coconut oil. can we use the same type oils and i world give him less than me im 98lbs he is 14,5lbs. We dont have anything to lose i know its safer than the drugs they have put me on and I refuse to continue most. using products interal and external.
After my elderly dog died 2 months ago, we immediately adopted a 2 yr old female husky and a 1 yr old male chiweenie. They get along well. My problem is that the chiweenie guards me from my 2 teenage sons and my husband. He’s teeny but gets really ferocious the closer they get to me. If I’m not there, he loves them. I just read the above article but am not sure about the tossing tiny treats-he would know if someone had treats (I mean because he has a nose). These 2 dogs always know when there’s a treat out. But we’re willing to try anything, as he seems to get worse everyday. So we’ll try this, but, any additional tips?
Oh sorry was point my dog is the sweetest never been taught a thing but has a way to communicate to me. He only has acted agressive on 2 occasions and it is when a person has been 2 males came into my house to see my son, he growls very continuiosly until they leave they have not approached me. He has to know they are not good people.
We have a 5 year old rescue Patterdale Terrier
who is extremely aggressive towards other dogs – we have tried everything ! She has had 2 previous homes and we think this is why she has been returned back . She cannot be off lead .
Advice please – otherwise she has a very sweet nature !
Thank You