This article explores the common behavior of resource guarding in dogs, its potential causes, and practical tips for pet owners to manage it effectively.
On a fairly regular basis, my chocolate-brown chihuahua mix will get territorial about some limbless, chewed-up toy that no one else wants. She’ll prowl around with the toy in her mouth, hackles raised, while growling to warn that the headless elf from last Christmas is all hers. The rest of us will ignore her, and eventually, she’ll relax. Or she’ll cool it when I inform her that she can’t come up on the couch until she stops. My little dog isn’t the only one who has territorial behavior.
Many animals display a behavior called “resource guarding.” Scientists are increasingly learning more about why some animals, specifically dogs, have this behavior and how pet parents can respond. “Resource guarding is a normal behavior that dogs perform to either get or keep access to an item of perceived value to them. Even though it's normal, it can be problematic for owners, particularly when aggression is involved,” says Jacquelyn Jacobs, an assistant professor in the department of animal science at Michigan State University.food-related aggression or possessive aggression. It can involve anything a dog feels is valuable, whether that is food, treats, toys, or even stolen items, they know they are not supposed to have — like dirty socks or wrappers plucked from the garbage can. When a dog is resource guarding, it might display obvious behaviors such as baring teeth, growling, and even biting. But there can also be less noticeable behaviors. A dog might stiffen or freeze, turn its body, walk away with an item, or try to eat the item rapidly, Jacobs says. Jacobs and her research partners surveyed 2,207 pet owners to identify common traits among resource guarders. The participants first watched training videos to learn to identify resource guarding behavior. They then answered questions about their dogs’ behavior as well as their home environment. The study found that unneutered males and dogs living in a multi-dog household were more likely to be resource guarder
DOG BEHAVIOR RESOURCE GUARDING AGGRESSION ANIMAL WELFARE PET TRAINING
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