? re: resource guarding

jen812

I think I know the answers to my questions, but I'm not positive & would like your opinions.
Those of you with more than 1 dog, do you allow dog 1 to give a short growl if dog 2 tries to steal a toy/bone dog 1 was playing with?
If you remove said toy when growling occurs, couldn't that encourage dog 1 to redirect unwanted behavior at you?

kellbell1919

While growling is good because it's a warning, no we don't allow it and will take the item away.  They know I control all the good stuff so it's not that much of a surprise to them I suspect; and its not about punishing the dog who growled its about removing an item that could cause a scuffle.  We also buy two of EVERYTHING so they each have their own and for some reason they seem to get this.

Caz1221

kellbell1919:

While growling is good because it's a warning, no we don't allow it and will take the item away.  They know I control all the good stuff so it's not that much of a surprise to them I suspect; and its not about punishing the dog who growled its about removing an item that could cause a scuffle.  We also buy two of EVERYTHING so they each have their own and for some reason they seem to get this.

Ditto.  If there is any sign of a potential problem, I will remove the item, but I don't snatch it away or anything like that.  I will separate the dogs ("enough" command almost always does it, but I will physically intervene/body block if necessary) and instruct the dog with the toy to drop it.  Then I put it away (closet, drawer, somewhere they can't even see it usually).  Depending on the severity of the encounter (if one dog actually lunges at the other, for example), I will send both dogs to their "places" for a few minutes to settle down.  We've been a 2-dog household for 2 years now, and this type of thing rarely happens.  I think both dogs understand that it won't be tolerated, and they will lose the toy entirely if it does.

jen812

We have 2 of every toy too. Unfortunately, that doesn't make a difference in my house. How does dog 1 understand why you are taking the toy away? This is where I'm confused. Wouldn't the dog learn that any growling is bad (which isn't always the case)? Wouldn't it be better to allow a slight growl than for the dog to think growling is not okay, so I'll skip right to a nip?
Am I making sense?

kellbell1919

jen812:

We have 2 of every toy too. Unfortunately, that doesn't make a difference in my house. How does dog 1 understand why you are taking the toy away? This is where I'm confused. Wouldn't the dog learn that any growling is bad (which isn't always the case)? Wouldn't it be better to allow a slight growl than for the dog to think growling is not okay, so I'll skip right to a nip?
Am I making sense?

I don't care if they understand why I take the toy away.  I'm not doing it to correct them or teach them anything, I'm doing it because I don't think they can share safely and I don't want a fight.  It's not a training technique for us, its a manage the environment so there isn't a fight technique.

GrayGhost13

kellbell1919:

jen812:

We have 2 of every toy too. Unfortunately, that doesn't make a difference in my house. How does dog 1 understand why you are taking the toy away? This is where I'm confused. Wouldn't the dog learn that any growling is bad (which isn't always the case)? Wouldn't it be better to allow a slight growl than for the dog to think growling is not okay, so I'll skip right to a nip?
Am I making sense?

I don't care if they understand why I take the toy away.  I'm not doing it to correct them or teach them anything, I'm doing it because I don't think they can share safely and I don't want a fight.  It's not a training technique for us, its a manage the environment so there isn't a fight technique.

I agree. Sometimes you can train. Sometimes just managing the situation is more important.

Also, dogs' short term memory tends to be very short. Usually, I separate first, then call the dog with the toy and have them give it (or trade it if it's high value), and by the time that's all happened, they've forgotten about the conflict with the other dog.

Also, I try to keep it all light and positive with happy voice and posture, because I like to reinforce giving up items like it's a trick rather than a punishment. If you're doing it that way, I don't think there's much chance of you training them not to growl.