Resource Guarding Owner

[Katie_D]

Hi, I am hoping someone might have some ideas to help.

Our 1 year old cocker spaniel has recently started resource guarding me (at least that is what I think she is doing).

We often look after friend’s dogs and have noticed that when she is in her bed, she will growl/bark if they come too close.

However more recently this has escalated and if I am patting another dog she will come over and ask for attention from me and then growl/bark at the other dog.

We recently had friends and their dogs over at our house (all of which she has met before and got along well with) and she spent the night sitting at my feet / following me wherever I went and would start growling as soon as one of the other dogs came close to me. She doesn't do this with my husband, just me.

She is usually a very sweet natured dog who loves people and loves other dogs. I am also 6 months pregnant so we are very keen to address this behaviour before the baby comes.

Hoping someone has ideas/tips to help.

Thanks.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

I like to pat and treat my dog when we're at the park. There's often a lot of other dogs who also want pats and treats. I don't treat other dogs without their owners' permission. But if there is any nasty behaviour - all the treats and pats go away...

The dogs learn pretty quick to be polite with each other.

My dog sometimes thinks about resource guarding, but as soon as she shows any sign of it, the resource is promptly removed. And that includes me. I just walk away from her. Sometimes I shut myself in a separate room - tho I'd shut her in a separate room (or crate) if there were visitors and she was rude.

Mostly she's good at sharing tho.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

Occasionally I have dogs like this as rescues and they go straight in a crate when they behave this way, they usually learn.

I would Google resource guarding however, as it's very important to control this behaviour.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Yes we do practice resource sharing games.

I often interrupt her in the middle of dinner - to put something good into the bowl. And she's fine with that. Some dogs think you're going to take their dinner away and they will never see it again. That might be true sometimes but most of the time - it needs to be I take it, I give it back with a bonus so long as you're polite.

I keep reading this thread title as the owner is doing the "resource guarding".

[Katie_D]

Thanks for the replies.

I have tried googling but most articles/information focus on guarding food or toys which our dog doesn't do. And she is fine at the dog park with other dogs - she only behaves this way at our house.

It sounds like the best approach might be to crate her when she behaves like this. She sleeps in a crate at night so is used to one. I guess I could remove me but seems a bit silly if we are watching tv or socialising for me to have to leave and to let her stay!

[kayla1]

With a baby on the way, perhaps consider a session with a behaviourist - something like this

A behaviourist could help you deal with the current issue and also give you the tools to hopefully prevent any further issues when the baby arrives.

[Diva]

She may have started the behaviour because you are pregnant, I have heard of that happening before, but a chat with Cosmolo (link above) would probably be a good idea.

[Leah82]

Cockers can get 'protective' of their people, especially if they're an only dog.

As well as dealing with the resource guarding when it happens I'd also be encouraging your dog to have alone time while you're in the house to reduce changes to her routine when the baby comes.

So things like putting her outside for a bit during the day, I'd be preventing her from access to the couch and bed as well.

removing yourself from the situation is a good thing regardless of what you're doing because you're giving an immediate response to her behaviour without giving her any attention in the process, so if watching TV, get up and go to the kitchen for a few minutes, when you come back make sure she goes to her bed, crate or a spot in lounge away from you.

I'm pregnant as well and due in about 6 weeks, I know our dogs are going to love having me home all the time but so they don't become too dependent on that we'll be keeping their routine kinda similar. Currently they go outside when we leave for work, so that will continue to happen when hubby leaves for work, I'll just bring them inside at different times of the day

[Salukifan]

Leah82:

Cockers can get 'protective' of their people, especially if they're an only dog.

I think it helps to see the issue for what it is if you remember that they are not protecting you from anything. They are guarding access TO you. Like you're a bone or a toy. Its possessive behaviour, not protective behaviour.

They are big enough to do some serious damage if they bite. I support suggetions for a consult.

I'd be starting with NILIF.

Cockers were an active working gundog. They need exercise, boundaries and to be treated like a "real" dog, not a lap dog.

I'd not be leaving the room. I'd be removing the dog from the room or only allowing the dog restricted access to a mat or crate. I work on the principle that if you're having to change your behaviour rather than your dog's undesirable behaviour you need to rethink. Perhaps its time to draw the boundaries a more distinctly for this dog.

Edited January 8, 2016 by Haredown Whippets

[corvus]

Sometimes time outs and all good things go away can have the opposite effect than the one you want, or just fail to address the issue at all. For example, if the dog growls at an approaching dog and then loses access to everything, they might become pretty sure that was the other dog's fault, and get even more proactive about heading them off in future. Much of the time, this is an emotionally driven behaviour. They are stressed out. Counter-conditioning is therefore a good approach. Dog approaches, you get stacks of attention, dog leaves, attention ceases.

[juice]

Exactly what HW , said. Take note now and do something. Dogs should fit in with you, not the other way around.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

There are some books and other resources about

"tell your dog you're pregnant" - ie start the preparation now.

http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/03/04/3702814.htm

You can get the book here and from Amazon. And maybe your library. Or maybe Dr Kirkham's vet practice.

http://www.wowbaby.com.au/baby-pet-tell-your-dog-you-re-pregnant-by-dr-lewis-kirkham.html

[skip]

Funny because I just saw a scary YouTube clip of a large dogs protective behaviour when the lady is pregnant.apparently the dog usually is the husbands best mate except each time the wife is pregnant, the dog will not let the husband near her. After each child is born back to normal.

Actually no use to you but it was interesting and the behaviour would have horrified me.

Two points of view here but I have a chihuahua who needs to be removed on rare occasions. I do expect good behaviour with food or me as a resource and this is usually fine. Probably counter conditioning more than anything else works OK in my house. Very subtle cues at times