When most people hear the term ‘guard dog’, what immediately comes to mind is a dog barking at someone nearing the property. Perhaps you think of the dog who announces the mailman’s arrival daily or who gives the unsuspecting delivery people a faster heart beat. There is an aspect of dog guarding that people sometimes forget - and that oversight can lead to serious problems.

The often overlooked aspect of dog guarding is possession protection. This is not in terms of property and real estate which is rather common and well known. Possession protection means that the dog guards what it considers as its very own property. This can be items like the dog toys, the food bowl, the sleeping blanket and other ‘doggy’ items. Sometimes veterinarians will refer to this is resource guarding.

Why the veterinarian becomes involved is that the dog suddenly becomes a biter. It may seem sudden to the owner, but the signs have been there for quite some time. For example, a dog who is reluctant to give up its toy and who gives an aggressive display is communicating a very strong message. That message is that the dog regards the toy as its own and is challenging your right to it. This is something that the dog must relearn immediately.

You are the pack leader and you can have the toy. You must make this toy an object of importance because it is a challenge to your pack leadership. It is symbolically important.

Once you have convinced your dog that you can have access to its things at any time, you have to make sure that the dog knows that this liberty extends to all the kids too. At this time, you might want to assess your dog and see if you do have a problem. When the dog is playing with its toy, go ask for it. The toy should be given to you without a problem and without any drama. If there is some aggressive display, then you have a problem. If you are afraid even to ask your dog for that toy, then you have a serious dog problem.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

[tag]dogs, guarding, biting, aggression, pack leadership[/tag]