GinnyKang
New Member
Hi all!
My girl is 6 months old and just started showing signs of resource guarding. I've had her since she was 3 months and here's a little background on our training thus far:
-She takes to her crate very well. She can shut off and doesn't whine anymore when she is in it.
-Hand-feeding is done two times a day for training purposes such as heel, sit, lay/stay, place, drop, leave it, focus/eye contact and relax.
-I socialize her as much as possible and go on structured walks in crowded areas such as Home Depot, dog-friendly patios, does training outside of the dog park, walks alongside another dog frequently. She is not reactive with other people, bicycles, skateboards, cars since we have exposed her so much to these things.
I try my best to not leave toys around, have her wait for any meals that are fed with a bowl, and not allow her on the furniture. Recently I went to take her bully stick away and she growled. I said no and just pulled it out of her mouth, no biting... yet! There was a second and third time where this has happened but the growling was a little scarier.
What I'm doing now: I have a slip lead on her in the house especially when she is having a meal that is in a bowl or a bully stick. I tell her to leave it and go to her crate and pick up the item. Once I have her settled I allow her to do some additional obedience work to continue enjoying her treat. So far this has been going on well, I can pick up these items without even allowing her the opportunity to protect anything.
My question is, am I handling this situation correctly? Does anyone else have experience with this? Is this her starting to be a dobieteen?! I'm curious if this will be a lifelong management situation and I will never be able to take a high-value item away or if it is temporary. I am trying my best to do everything correctly.
Thanks
My girl is 6 months old and just started showing signs of resource guarding. I've had her since she was 3 months and here's a little background on our training thus far:
-She takes to her crate very well. She can shut off and doesn't whine anymore when she is in it.
-Hand-feeding is done two times a day for training purposes such as heel, sit, lay/stay, place, drop, leave it, focus/eye contact and relax.
-I socialize her as much as possible and go on structured walks in crowded areas such as Home Depot, dog-friendly patios, does training outside of the dog park, walks alongside another dog frequently. She is not reactive with other people, bicycles, skateboards, cars since we have exposed her so much to these things.
I try my best to not leave toys around, have her wait for any meals that are fed with a bowl, and not allow her on the furniture. Recently I went to take her bully stick away and she growled. I said no and just pulled it out of her mouth, no biting... yet! There was a second and third time where this has happened but the growling was a little scarier.
What I'm doing now: I have a slip lead on her in the house especially when she is having a meal that is in a bowl or a bully stick. I tell her to leave it and go to her crate and pick up the item. Once I have her settled I allow her to do some additional obedience work to continue enjoying her treat. So far this has been going on well, I can pick up these items without even allowing her the opportunity to protect anything.
My question is, am I handling this situation correctly? Does anyone else have experience with this? Is this her starting to be a dobieteen?! I'm curious if this will be a lifelong management situation and I will never be able to take a high-value item away or if it is temporary. I am trying my best to do everything correctly.
Thanks