How to Stop Dog Aggression and Resource Guarding in Dogs

In this Nebraska training session, we worked with Koda. Koda is a two-year-old mix of Boxer, Shar Pei, and German Shepherd. He lives with Cooper, a five-month-old mix of Rhodesian Ridgeback and Labrador.

Their guardians arranged a dog training session with me to address some dog aggression.

Koda has occasionally attacked Cooper. Most of the time, they play and hang out together without any problems, but sometimes there are signs of resource guarding in dogs.

The dogs live with a Toy Poodle named Zeus. He only comes to the door to see who is there, then he goes to the couch. He left us to work with Koda and Cooper.

Whenever I work with a client who has several dogs, I like to start by sitting down and discuss the dogs’ daily routines. This gives me a chance to see how the humans and dogs interact as well as learn what kind of rules and structure are in place.

What Causes Dog Aggression?

Being pack animals, dogs try to determine the social and leadership structure by probing to determine boundaries and limits. When a dog doesn’t have many, it’s easy for them to get the impression that they have the same authority as their humans.

On the other hand, humans that enforce rules at the right time usually have well-mannered dogs. These dogs are obedient and respect their humans as authority figures. Instead of trying to handle things on their own, they rely on the humans to keep the peace.

I suggested some rules and structure to help the humans start to take on the leadership position in the dog’s eyes. I also discussed some non-verbal cues they can use to disagree with the dogs. They can use these cues when the dogs break the rules or do something not allowed.

One of the problems was the dog’s failure to respect personal space. Koda liked to camp out directly under his human’s feet in the confined space between the table and couch.

This allowed him to block Cooper from getting closer to the humans when Koda was around. Koda pushed his way in. I suggested that the family should not let the dogs into that area without permission.

One of the reasons Koda liked to camp out there is the humans automatically started to pet either dog who entered that area.

Because dogs interpret attention and affection as a result of whatever they happen to be doing at the time, the humans were training the dogs to invade their space.

To help humans stop rewarding dogs for bad behavior, I shared my petting with a purpose method with them.

It will be a challenge for all the members of the family to start petting with a purpose. But if everyone can get on board, this small piece of structure will go a long way towards helping Koda stop trying to run the show and teach Cooper he needs to ask for attention, not demand it.

How to Stop Resource Guarding in Dogs

Next, we turned our attention towards Koda’s resource guarding. This is a serious issue and is a common source of dog bites; especially when a human meets the dog’s aggression with force.

Koda had a few resource guarding triggers; food, his kennel, some toys and occasionally people. The family had made changes to accommodate Koda’s issues, but there were merely band aids, not a fix to the problem.

A few years ago I ran across the definitive book on the subject and instructions on how to stop resource guarding in dogs, Mine! by Jean Donaldson.

This book is easy to read and includes detailed step by step approach to reducing then eliminating resource guarding in dogs. The family’s daughter had read the ebook version a few years ago and found some success with some of Koda’s issues.

I recommended that the daughter re-read the book and share it with her parents. Once everyone has read it, I recommend that they print out the step by step roadmaps to treating Koda’s Resource Guarding and start putting it into practice.

Jean’s book details how to gradually reduce a dog’s perception that a human is trying to take something from it when they approach. A very simplified example of this is to approach a dog who is a food resource guarder when they are eating and add some higher value food to the bowl when the dog is half way through.

By improving, and not taking (at least at first), the item the dog is guarding, his family will be able to help Koda stop thinking he needs to protect his food, location, kennel, toy, people, etc.

Redirecting a Dog’s Attention with the Focus Command

Next, I showed the family how they can teach their dogs to focus on command. We started out with Koda who picked up on the exercise right away. Cooper was a little bit more challenging as he is still a puppy with a short attention span.

After I practiced with him a few times, I had a family member take a turn. This was to ensure she got the same result.

The focus command is a great exercise that the family members can use to help redirect the dog’s attention. If they notice Koda moving slowly or showing signs of discomfort, they should call him over.

Practicing the focus command will help prevent him from getting into trouble.

Since the dogs responded so well to the focus exercise, I recommended that they utilize our Youtube channel to find some simple tricks and commands to teach their dogs like the stay.

Learning new tricks and commands helps dogs in many ways. It shows them that humans are leaders.

This support helps dogs learn and grow. It also boosts their self-esteem and confidence. Families can use these skills to redirect their dogs. This leads to better control and discipline.

By the end of the session, the dogs felt exhausted. But they were no longer trying to shove their way between the couch and table, were focusing on command and responding to the new communication methods.

When we fed the dogs and Koda didn’t act aggressively or show any food resource guarding, the family was surprised. But this is a great example of how dogs respond to clear leadership.

I didn’t punish the dogs or attempt to challenge or dominate them. I simply communicated what I did and didn’t want in a way they understood and respected.

By consistently enforcing the new rules, petting both dogs with a purpose and following the steps to eliminate resource guarding outlined in Jean’s book, the dogs’ unwanted problems and behaviors should quickly be only a memory.