Resource Guarding Cavalier

[RRPS]

Hi

I am after some advice from others who have experience with resource guarders.

My dog is nearly 2 years old and I first saw signs of his guarding on the car trip home when he was 8 weeks old, blocking a toy from me and letting out a quite growl. I didn't think much of it at the time.

I always feed my dogs in separate rooms and when I would put his food down as a pup he would rush over and lay over of the bowl and would growl at anything/anyone that was near by, I never tried to take food away from him I was just walking past to leave the room. He also started to block the water bowl from my adult dogs so they were separated when I was not home. I was extremely worried about this as he was only a young puppy and got advice from different trainers and organised a trainer to come to our house when he was around 3-4 months old.

When the trainer came for our first session he was on his best behaviour and didn't show any signs of guarding. I was lent a few books and was given a training/managing plan which we stuck to. After this he did show improvement and had very good meal time manners and would sit and wait for his food and would not eat until he heard we said ok and no longer growled at me when I walked past or was in the same room while he was eating.

I have continued his training and always made sure then he had high valued treats that he is separated from the other dogs and that he was left alone. But he will give me things when needed, for example things he should have.

We were managing quite well until the past few months where he guards dog toys from the other dogs and humans, so toys were are left out unsupervised or they dogs were keeped separately. He will have a toy and sit next to you on the lounge and growl and if anyone approaches he will snap. You can't even pat him without he becoming stiff and growl.

Unfortunately my parents have been getting really angry with him and yell and snatch things off him which is only making the problem worse. Yesterday he found something in the backyard which he should not of had and my father cornered him, scruffed and pinned him down and yanked if off him as he was growling and when he let him go he bit my father.

I have booked another training session.

I am concerned that he's behaviour is getting worse I and I fear that he will start guarding me from my other animals soon.

So my question is when do you draw the line and try medication?

Has anyone else with a resource guarder used medication to calm they dogs and had success?

Sorry for the long post.

[Gretel]

Definitely good professional advice!

[persephone]

When the trainer came for our first session he was on his best behaviour and didn't show any signs of guarding.

\

Ok. my first thought on reading this is that perhaps he sensed the presence of the trainer as someone who could confidently make the decisions - so dog didn't have to .

I know you said you have booked another session - but would you consider emailing/phoning K9 pro? they are excellent at dealing with all forms of aggression/training. AS a start - have a read here.

LINK

[cavNrott]

I don't have resource guarders here but I do have two Cavaliers. This is certainly unusual behaviour for the Cavalier KCS breed. They are usually very easy going little dogs.

Have you discussed the problem with the breeder? If so what did he/she say about this behaviour? The breeder surely must have seen this dog exhibiting this behaviour with the litter mates considering that the dog was resource guarding a toy from you at the tender age of 8 weeks old.

As you are in NSW I agree with persephone. Contact K9Pro. I feel sure they will be able to help you.

[Salukifan]

Your parents need to be part of the way forward for your dog.

Sorry to say, but what they are doing is probably part of the reason you are seeing it escalate. They are creating more anxiety about loss of his treasures.

Get someone decent in. If this was a big dog, what's happening would be downright dangerous. Even so, your dog has the capacity to seriously wound someone,

[aussielover]

Agree you should contact K9Pro.

It sounds quite serious at the moment. Until I could consult with a behaviourist, I would not be giving this dog free range in the house or yard at this stage and definitely not ever have food or toys freely available when this dog is around. You could even consider leaving a long lead on him when he is in the yard or anywhere he could pick up something you don't want him to have.

I am not sure medication would be beneficial unless he also has other issues as well. I've actually not heard of medication being used for resource guarding alone. In some cases they can actually make the dog more aggressive.

On a positive note, resource guarding is quite often relatively easily resolved, although like all behavioural problems may require some degree of management for the rest of the dog's life.

[RRPS]

Thank you for your replies. I will look into contacting K9pro.

CavNrott he is from a registered breeder, I was emailing his breeder a bit when I first got him but as soon I as mentioned his problems I stopped receiving replies. He can be the sweetest dog and absolutely loves people, epically children. When I tell people about his issues they don't believe me as he can be a really nice dog.

It's extremely hard living with my parents, but I don't have anther option at the moment. They see his behaviour as nothing serious and have pushed him to his limits multiply times. I think if we weren't living with them his behaviour wouldn't of escalated to what is it now.

I was told if his problems continued to look into medication for anxiety as that's what the trainer said was causing his guarding.

He currently is kept separately when no one is home.

[cavNrott]

Thank you for your replies. I will look into contacting K9pro.

CavNrott he is from a registered breeder, I was emailing his breeder a bit when I first got him but as soon I as mentioned his problems I stopped receiving replies. He can be the sweetest dog and absolutely loves people, epically children. When I tell people about his issues they don't believe me as he can be a really nice dog.

It's extremely hard living with my parents, but I don't have anther option at the moment. They see his behaviour as nothing serious and have pushed him to his limits multiply times. I think if we weren't living with them his behaviour wouldn't of escalated to what is it now.

I was told if his problems continued to look into medication for anxiety as that's what the trainer said was causing his guarding.

He currently is kept separately when no one is home.

Yep, I know that can happen with some registered breeders. I had the same thing happen when I contacted the registered breeder of my Rottweiler about a health problem my dog had. She lost interest very quickly and I didn't hear from her again.

It's extremely hard living with my parents, but I don't have anther option at the moment. They see his behaviour as nothing serious and have pushed him to his limits multiply times. I think if we weren't living with them his behaviour wouldn't of escalated to what is it now.

I'd say your opinion on that ^ is absolutely correct.

If I were you I would not again ask the assistance of the trainer who suggested resource guarding is a symptom of anxiety and you should consider medication. Anyone can call themselves a dog trainer but that doesn't make them one.

[cavNrott]

If this was a big dog, what's happening would be downright dangerous. Even so, your dog has the capacity to seriously wound someone,

Agreed. A large dog would be dangerous. A Cavalier KC Spaniel has a small mouth and tiny teeth. I doubt he has any capacity to seriously wound anyone. Plus the dog is a sweet natured friendly dog as is usual for this breed. Unfortunately he's a resource guarder.

[Gretel]

It's certainly not typical Cavalier behaviour I hope there are no children about as he could give a child a nasty bite. I second the idea if contacting Steve.