Question:
Can I stop my dog from protecting their food and toys?
Answer:
Yes. But initially, for your safety, a fast photo of what protecting appear like: Dogs with food or toy hostility frequently show stiffened body postures when an individual or animal techniques their food or valued ownership. Many dogs will likewise roar or snarl. Some will even snap or bite. It’s crucial to evaluate body movement previously approaching any dog who is consuming or chewing.
A behaviorist can help figure out whether your dog’s protecting is a significant or small issue by inquiring about their habits in other circumstances. Does your dog likewise reveal indications of hostility when moved off of her preferred resting area? Or when cuddled? A professional will inquire about the frequency and intensity of the habits too, and therefore evaluate dangers to your family.
How to decrease dog protecting habits
Treatment starts with establishing a safety strategy to decrease the possibilities that your dog will act strongly. Please note that there is no chance to entirely get rid of that danger. With effort, you can considerably decrease the danger. However, a lot of habits issues are “successfully managed” over the long term instead of “cured.” The safety strategy might consist of actions that are as easy as putting your dog outside (or behind a closed door) when she consumes her supper or chews on her preferred toy.
With some dogs, you can fix this issue by lowering the worth of the product. For example, if your dog guards Nylabone chew toys and attacks anybody who goes near them, you might have the ability to resolve the issue by offering your dog with a plentiful supply. Place 10 Nylabone toys around your home, as this makes the toy less important. If there is a higher supply, there will possibly be less need. (Know that this is not a guaranteed option; some dogs will gather and secure all 10 toys.)
For the dog that does not react to the law of supply and need, or for more severe cases, the option is to teach the dog that they do not acquire anything by their inappropriate habits. There are numerous strategies that can help in reducing the tension and stress and anxiety associated to the product. Eventually, the dog will learn to share important products instead of act strongly around them. This kind of treatment is more than likely to be effective under the assistance of an expert behaviorist.
