Preventing Resource Guarding

PetHelpful.com

Exercise 1: Great things happen when my owner walks by!

1. Give your dog an item that he does not guard fiercely
2. Casually pass by a distance your dog does not appear to mind you
3. Toss pieces of medium-value treats as you walk by in your dog's direction
4. Repeat several times until your dog looks at you passing by in hope for the treats
5. In the next days, give a medium-value item and gradually get closer and continue tossing the treats increasing the value of the treats as you get closer- Finally, give your dog a bone and give high-value treats ie shift from hot dog slivers to freeze-dried liver-
6. Continue by giving treats as you walk by until your dog looks up at you for treats. Progress is made when the dog no longer freeze and tenses up but rather licks its lips and wags its tail in anticipation of you coming closer to deliver treats.

Exercise 2: Great things happen when I give up something!

1. Give your dog an item your dog does not value much
2. Ask him to "drop it" or "trade"
3. Lure him with a medium-value item and as he gets it remove the other item
4. Ask again to "Drop it" or "trade"
5. Lure him with a high-value item (ie a stuffed Kong which is both a toy and a treat) and as he gets it remove the other item

Exercise 3: Great things happen when hands are in the food bowl!

1. Have your dog sit in front of the empty food bowl
2. Reach the food bowl and place a bit of food in it with your hand
3. Once done have your dog sit again
4. Reach the food bowl again and place a bit more food in it with your hand
5. Continue until you feed your dog's daily ratio.

Exercise 4: Great things happen when my owner takes my bone!

1. Give your dog a hollow bone
2. Ask "drop it" or "trade"
3. Fill the hollow bone with some peanut butter or a kong stuffer
4. Have dog empty the bone
5. Ask "drop it" or "trade"
6. Fill again with more peanut butter or a Kong stuffer

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