Free Tips to Prevent a Resource Guarding Problem

For this Nebraska dog training session, we worked with Puff and Beau (right). Beau is a 3-year-old Rat Terrier, who has a resource guarding problem. Beau nips and bites one of his guardians when he gets too close to his wife or their bed at night.

Beau had been brought back to the Humane Society many times. Even though he bit the husband, his guardians wanted to help him with his aggression towards people.

Why do Dogs Develop a Resource Guarding Problem?

I used a soft approach and was able to befriend Beau right away. I noticed several things related to his nipping and biting of the husband.

No rules were in place for the dogs. He could tell people when to pet him. He had lower self-esteem. His humans were also  sending mixed messages without meaning to.

I spent the first half of the session offering tips to help shift the leader-follower dynamic. Beau’s guardians are going to have to show him they are the leaders through their actions.

This is not about punishing or other negative interactions. This should be done using positive dog training methods, like petting with a purpose. These methods encourage the dog to want to do what the human wants or does not want.

Since he learned to control them by growling, I used an even gentler method than usual. This method is completely force-free, by the way! This involves creating controlled situations where we could help the dog voluntarily do what we want. That way the humans can focus on rewarding good behaviors.

I also stressed the importance of rewarding good actions. If the dog shows unwanted behaviors, we should ignore him or leave the room. By stopping immediately (or within 3 seconds max) we can help him learn what we do and don’t like.

I didn’t see it myself, but the aggressive behaviors his guardians mentioned might be resource guarding. I have helped hundreds of dogs stop resource guarding over the years. If you are looking for some free tips to stop a dog from resource guarding, you probably want to check out the video below.

Since Beau responded well to the resource guarding exercise, I think this is a case of a misunderstood dog. Dogs often bark, lunge, or growl to make things go away. I have met many dogs that use these behaviors to control their surroundings.

How to Prevent a Dog Resource Guarding Problem

Resource guarding is a normal behavior in dogs. They feel the need to protect things like food, toys, or a spot on the bed.

In the wild, dogs may act aggressively to protect food from others because it’s necessary for their survival. In a home, dogs do not need to guard resources to survive. However, this instinct can still exist. This is true even for well-trained and socialized dogs.

When a dog is resource guarding, they may growl, snap, or act defensively if they think someone will take their food, toys, or space. Many people wrongly react by confronting the dog or trying to take away the resource. This can make things worse. Instead, a more positive approach can help change the dog’s behavior.

One effective method is to teach the dog that when a person approaches, they don’t lose their resource but gain something positive. Using high-value treats, like chicken liver, is helpful in this process. The person can start by walking towards the dog from a distance where they doesn’t react, tossing a treat, and then walking away.

As the dog gets used to this, the person can move closer. They can keep offering treats. This helps the dog see humans as something good, not a threat.

If the dog is guarding food, you can use a long-handled spoon to gently place treats or food near the dog, keeping your distance at first. Over time, you can get closer as the dog becomes more comfortable with your presence.

In more serious cases, hand-feeding the dog can help build trust. It teaches the dog that humans near its food won’t take it away. Instead, they might even make mealtime better.

With patience and practice, the dog will feel more relaxed. They will be less protective of their resources. This will lead to a healthier relationship with people and other pets.

Are Rat Terriers Aggressive?

Rat Terriers can be aggressive if they are not socialized or trained well. This is mainly due to their strong prey drive and terrier instincts. They may be wary of strangers, bark a lot, or act protective of their home and family.

However, with the right training and early socialization, they are usually friendly, loving, and good with their families. Like other terriers, they are naturally bold and full of energy. This can sometimes look like aggression if not managed well.

It’s important to socialize them early, exposing them to different people, animals, and environments to prevent fear or aggression. Positive reinforcement training is key to helping them manage their energy and learn the right behaviors.

Rat Terriers can be protective of their food, toys, or family. However, with proper training, you can control these behaviors. With the right care, Rat Terriers make affectionate, well-behaved pets.

Beau responded wonderfully to the positive dog training tips and suggestions I shared with his guardians. I sum them up and offer additional dog behavior secrets from this in-home dog behavior training session in the roadmap to success video below.