Hi there. I read the entries tagged resource guarding, and found some advice related to what my dog's recent behavior, but I need this advice reiterated, I think
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Treats can create a whole different set of issues when brought into a dog park environment which is why you'll see on the rules "no food allowed". Dogs will fight over food, even if they aren't resource guarders.
I would be cautious in dog parks while you're training. Make sure you aren't standing in one place, walk around the entire time. I walk the perimeter when I go with my dogs and it keeps them moving. You usually see dogs have issues when a whole pack of people are standing around in a group or sitting at a picnic table.
Also - keep in mind your dog is female and they do go through moods. There are gonna be times when you need to make the call to leave the park early, even if you just got there. Not all dogs find dog parks fun. Some dogs prefer play in a wide area by themselves or quiet walks with their owners. I don't recommend dog parks as a main source of exercise.
You need to get the guarding under control before introducing her into the park environment again. Read the book. It will definitely help, I speak from experience. This is something you will have to constantly manage and keep an eye on. It doesn't just go away.
I guess one of my major issues is that she definitely has always enjoyed the dog park. I'm not forcing it on her. She usually is the most popular girl there, leading dogs to run and jump in puddles and loves to playfully wrestle. That's why I'm so surprised when she gets grouchy and wants to just sit down with her stick.
But yeah, even though I got upset, this time I made her leave soon after she started guarding. But I wonder if I just need to chance it and let her growl and have her alone time until she's rested and wants to play again? Or should I always just leave immediately?
But I wonder if I just need to chance it and let her growl and have her alone time until she's rested and wants to play again? Or should I always just leave immediately?
The problem with this is you don't know how the other dog is going to react when she growls and bares her teeth. You want to try and prevent confrontation whenever possible. If you notice her getting overly tired and starting to dig to cool off (or find a stick to chew on) I would take that as a sign that its time to go. It is best to leave early and prevent a fight than to stay and chance it.
I trust my dog and I read her really well. I don't trust other peoples dogs at dog parks nor the owners reactions. People in the U.S. are very lawsuit happy and I don't want to give someone the reason to have my dog cited or added to the vicious dog list because she bared her teeth over a tree root when I wasn't paying attention.
If she will respond to you you can try to call her away from her favorite object but you still aren't addressing the main issue, that she's guarding something period. That behavior needs to be worked on.
I suppose I will work on the "drop it" command. And on "trading up" with a variety of different treats and toys at home. Does just practicing that behavior help to minimize her guarding?
And in the meantime, I'll leave if she starts guarding. Usually the guarding does start after quite awhile at the park, but yesterday, she grabbed a stick immediately upon getting to the park. This is kind of a stupid technical question, but should I let her leave with the stick or should I make sure she drops it in the park? I want to be sending the right message to her.
You really need to get the book and practice ALL the exercises in it along with learning to understand her guarding and how to not trigger her guarding behaviors at all.
I can't go into such detail like Jean Donaldson did and explain it so well. One exercise is not enough to do full behavior modification and you need to read about how to keep your dog sub-threshold and why it is important.
Until you do this I wouldn't be taking her to the dog park.
I would be cautious in dog parks while you're training. Make sure you aren't standing in one place, walk around the entire time. I walk the perimeter when I go with my dogs and it keeps them moving. You usually see dogs have issues when a whole pack of people are standing around in a group or sitting at a picnic table.
Also - keep in mind your dog is female and they do go through moods. There are gonna be times when you need to make the call to leave the park early, even if you just got there. Not all dogs find dog parks fun. Some dogs prefer play in a wide area by themselves or quiet walks with their owners. I don't recommend dog parks as a main source of exercise.
You need to get the guarding under control before introducing her into the park environment again. Read the book. It will definitely help, I speak from experience. This is something you will have to constantly manage and keep an eye on. It doesn't just go away.
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But yeah, even though I got upset, this time I made her leave soon after she started guarding. But I wonder if I just need to chance it and let her growl and have her alone time until she's rested and wants to play again? Or should I always just leave immediately?
Reply
The problem with this is you don't know how the other dog is going to react when she growls and bares her teeth. You want to try and prevent confrontation whenever possible. If you notice her getting overly tired and starting to dig to cool off (or find a stick to chew on) I would take that as a sign that its time to go. It is best to leave early and prevent a fight than to stay and chance it.
I trust my dog and I read her really well. I don't trust other peoples dogs at dog parks nor the owners reactions. People in the U.S. are very lawsuit happy and I don't want to give someone the reason to have my dog cited or added to the vicious dog list because she bared her teeth over a tree root when I wasn't paying attention.
If she will respond to you you can try to call her away from her favorite object but you still aren't addressing the main issue, that she's guarding something period. That behavior needs to be worked on.
Reply
And in the meantime, I'll leave if she starts guarding. Usually the guarding does start after quite awhile at the park, but yesterday, she grabbed a stick immediately upon getting to the park. This is kind of a stupid technical question, but should I let her leave with the stick or should I make sure she drops it in the park? I want to be sending the right message to her.
Reply
I can't go into such detail like Jean Donaldson did and explain it so well. One exercise is not enough to do full behavior modification and you need to read about how to keep your dog sub-threshold and why it is important.
Until you do this I wouldn't be taking her to the dog park.
Reply
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