Resource Guarding & Food Aggression in Doodle Puppies

WHAT IS RESOURCE GUARDING?

If your puppy shows overly protective behavior, such as growling or biting, over something they consider high value, it may be an instance of resource guarding, also known as possessive aggression. While this behavior can occur in any breed or mix, certain breeds may be more prone to it due to their genetic traits or history of breeding. A dog's resources can range from food to toys, a bed, or even a human. While some cases of resource guarding may be tolerable, severe instances can pose risks of injury and discomfort to both humans and pets. Understanding this problem and taking steps to correct it is crucial.

Resource guarding played a crucial role in the evolutionary success of animals. Dogs, being opportunistic feeders, eat as much as they can and sometimes fend off competition with growls, snarls, nips, or bites. This behavior can stem from their early years when they learn to protect their resources.

“38% of pet dogs displayed some level of resource-guarding behavior. ”

— Dr. James O’Heare

WHAT IS FOOD AGGRESSION? 

Food aggression is a territorial reaction a dog experiences when eating meals or treats, in which they use hostile behavior to guard their food. 

Food aggression is quite common in dogs. One study reported that nearly 20 percent of all dogs show signs of food aggression.

This aggression is a form of resource guarding - a behavior passed down through natural selection when dogs needed to protect every meal or resource they had. Resource guarding differs slightly though - it describes a behavior that is defensive of any object they consider to be of high value, not just their food.

Typically, dogs only guard what they consider valuable. Because of this, the resources they guard can vary - though a very common one is food. This could be food in their bowls, food that has been dropped on the floor during mealtimes, scraps in the garbage bin or even food being prepped on the counter.

This defensive behavior can be an issue if a food-aggressive dog lives in a home with children. Children, especially younger ones, have a harder time recognizing the signals of guarding and may disregard them completely. This could potentially lead to a child being growled at or bitten.

It’s not just children that need be wary of this protective behavior; adults can be caught in the crossfire as well. It boils down to the dog’s confidence in being able to eat at ease and being comfortable in their environment and around those that share their home.

CAUSES OF RESOURCE GUARDING & Food Aggression

Aggressive behavior can manifest in dogs at any age due to various reasons. One common trigger is when breeders feed puppies from a single container, without giving attention to the weaker ones, thus rewarding the aggressive ones. This behavior can also develop later in life, especially if the dog has experienced abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. Some dogs are repeatedly exposed to competition for resources, including territory, food, toys, and affection, in shelters or social groups, which can reinforce aggressive tendencies. Additionally, older dogs may exhibit a change in behavior, which could be a sign of an underlying health issue causing stress and over-aggression.

At Stokeshire, we use a Weanafeeda Maxi 6 Litter Multiple Dog Bowl Feeder to help curb this tendency by allowing each of the puppies to have their own bowl.

There isn’t one simple cause for food aggression in dogs. However, here are a few common reasons: 

• It can be learned in puppyhood - either by accidental training practices or by needing to compete over limited resources in a shelter environment.

• Dogs can also develop food aggression later in life as well. Fighting with another dog can bring on symptoms of food aggression. They become more protective over their resources... most importantly, their food. Bringing home a puppy where there is already is an established older dog in the home can initiate some of these behaviors. We recommend feeding your puppy in a separate space.

• Some breeds are genetically predisposed to dominant or aggressive tendencies and may guard food due to a pack-like mentality. Dogs like English Springer Spaniels, Old English Sheepdogs, German Shepherds, or Rottweilers are well-known for having hereditary guarding instincts - though these instincts typically apply to livestock or property.

SIGNS OF RESOURCE GUARDING Food AGGRESSION in Puppies

Although growling, snarling, and biting are obvious signs of aggression, there are some other more subtle ways that your dog may tell you to, “Get back!” In particular, pay attention to body language and audible sounds, and watch for these warning signs:

• Stiffening or rigged stance

• Lowered head with body over the item

• Narrowed-in staring

• Getting in-between object and approaching person/dog

• Always running away with object and refusing to drop

• Rapid eating and chewing

• Showing teeth/curling lips

• Barking

Although these behaviors are troublesome, they occur naturally across all dog breeds. Your particular dog might not have a problem with resource guarding when showing one or two of these behaviors occasionally. However, when many of these warning signs are happening simultaneously and the dog starts physically lashing out, it may be time to reach out for professional assistance. 
There are several identifying signs of food aggression that are categorized into three degrees of harmfulness:
Mild, moderate, and severe.

The mild degree of food aggression is best recognized by verbal signs. Your dog may growl when you approach their food, or them while they are eating. It may also bare its teeth or raise their hackles in a warning. 

A moderate degree of food aggression is characterized by a dog snapping or lunging when a person or other dog approaches them.

Severe food aggression can be dangerous to people or other pets, as the dog will bite or chase the perceived threat away.

HOW TO STOP RESOURCE GUARDING and FOOD AGGRESSION in your doodle puppy

If you are concerned about your dog's unwanted behavior, seeking assistance from your trusted veterinarian or consulting an animal behaviorist would be the best course of action. These professionals possess the necessary expertise to identify, address, and correct such behaviors, and can also diagnose any underlying medical conditions that may be causing resource guarding. You can also reach out to any one of our Doodle School Trainers or Karlee.

To address the behavior at home, you can begin by following the steps outlined below. With the right training and a dedicated approach, you can successfully retrain a dog exhibiting signs of resource guarding. You can rest assured that this defensive behavior can be managed or even prevented.

Firstly, consider spaying or neutering your dog. Hormones can be a contributing factor to aggression, and spaying or neutering may help reduce these tendencies. Another treatment option is training: many dogs with food aggression can be put through a seven-stage training sequence that focuses on desensitization.

To help dogs who are too protective of their possessions, desensitization is a great approach. By triggering the dog carefully, you can help them understand that you are not a threat. Stand just outside their "reaction zone" while they're enjoying their prize, to let them get used to the fact that you won't take their food. The goal is to reinforce that you're a friend, not an enemy.

Acquainting your dog with your presence while they eat is crucial. Stand a few feet away from your dog while they eat their meal from a bowl on the floor. The aim is for your dog to eat in a relaxed manner for ten or more meals in a row before moving to the next stage.

Throwing high-quality treats to your dog can help them associate you with good vibes.

ADD A TASTY TREAT, THEN STEP BACK

Continue to build on your progress by placing a delicious treat in your pet's bowl and retreating to your original distance. Consistency is key, so aim to advance one step at a time each day. Once you've successfully stood two feet away for ten consecutive meals, your furry friend is prepared to move on to the next stage. Keep up the good work!

INCREASE THE INTENSITY BY MOVING CLOSER TO THEIR RESOURCE

The objective of this stage is to change your dog's emotional reaction to your approach toward their possession. The usual response of fear or anger at a potential perceived threat needs to be replaced with a positive reaction, like a desire for a treat.

To begin with, maintain a distance from your dog while they enjoy their meal or treat, and gradually move towards the reaction zone. Aggressive dogs may growl, stiffen their body, or partially turn their head to indicate that you are approaching too closely. Wait until the aggressive behavior subsides, and repeat the process. This exercise will help you reach a point where you can comfortably approach your dog, pet them, and even touch their possession without triggering aggression.

This is one of the most crucial steps in modifying resource-guarding behavior, and it is essential to work consistently and patiently until you succeed. Rushing the process is not recommended. With enough patience, you will ultimately be able to take the possession away without any issues.

STAND CLOSE, AND TALK TO YOUR DOG

In this step, the focus is on creating a close bond through conversation. While your dog is eating, stand next to them and offer them a special treat. Engage with them in a conversational tone, asking questions like "What's for dinner?" or inquiring about their food. After giving them the treat, walk away from your pup and repeat the process every few seconds. If your dog can maintain a relaxed demeanor while eating ten consecutive meals, you can proceed to the next stage of training.

To prevent resource guarding, it is recommended to take measures as early as possible, especially with puppies. Newly adopted pets should also receive proper attention upon arrival at their new home. Even dogs that do not exhibit guarding behavior should undergo occasional exercises to prevent negative behaviors from developing later on.

When training your dog not to resource guard, it is essential to remain calm and approach the animal slowly, always keeping tasty treats on hand. Providing adequate exercise and a balanced diet can also be helpful in preventing resource guarding.

TRY HAND FEEDING 

During this stage, hand feeding plays a crucial role in training your dog. It's important to make your pup feel secure and realize that you're not a threat to their food. Speak to your dog in a friendly, conversational tone while standing next to their bowl. Hold out a treat and encourage them to take it from your hand instead of placing it in their bowl. Once they've taken the treat, walk away to show that you're not interested in their food. Repeat this process daily, gradually bending down closer to their bowl until your hand is next to it. After ten successful meals, you can move on to the next step with confidence.

TOUCH THEIR BOWL, BUT DO NOT TAKE FOOD FROM IT

For this stage, you should remain close to your dog after giving them the treat, just like in the previous stage. Speak to them in a calm and relaxed tone while offering the treat with one hand. Simultaneously, touch their food bowl with the other hand, but do not take any food from it. This will help your dog get used to your presence during mealtimes. If your dog remains calm and relaxed while eating for at least ten meals, you can then proceed to the next phase of training.

LIFT THEIR BOWL OFF THE GROUND TO GIVE THEM THEIR TREAT

During this stage, it is crucial to establish trust with your dog by lifting their bowl from the ground to give them a treat. Use a calm tone as you lift the bowl only 6-12 inches from the ground initially, add the treat, and set the bowl back down. Gradually increase the height each day until you can place the bowl on a table to prepare the treat. Repeat this process until you can walk away and place the bowl back in its original spot. By completing this step, your dog will feel more comfortable eating around you, and you will have established a deeper level of trust between you and your doodle puppy.

REPEAT THIS FEEDING PROCESS WITH THE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

To ensure your dog's food aggression diminishes or disappears altogether, it's important to repeat steps 1-6 with every member of your household. Although your pup may feel at ease eating around you, they may not feel the same way with other family members or guests. In such cases, consider setting up a secure space for your dog to eat, such as providing separate bowls or a gated area. Remember, your dog simply wants to enjoy their meal in peace. If your efforts prove ineffective, seek advice from your vet or a local trainer on how to treat food aggression.

Conclusion

Many pet owners tolerate their dog's resource-guarding behaviors, as long as they aren't causing harm or fear. The decision to manage an aggressive dog will depend on your specific situation and lifestyle. For instance, a single adult may better handle an aggressive dog than a family with young children.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce animal aggression. One approach is to provide your dog with its own "safe space" when you have guests over or at mealtime, especially if you have multiple pets. It's worth noting that food aggression can hinder a dog's ability to serve as a therapy dog. These dogs are trained to provide comfort and support in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and disaster areas. Therefore, it's crucial that therapy dogs are well-behaved and can interact safely with people. Don’t despair if your puppy is showing this behavior. The goal is to curb this behavior as soon as possible. We’re here to help! We do recommend Doodle School for all of our Therapy Dog Candidates.