Resource Guarding

[emma]

Well, my sweet little Oliver who loves everyone and spends most of his life on his back seeking belly rubs, has started resource guarding! It has happened twice recently where he was really into chewing on a bully stick and snapped when approached. The first time was with my sister and today was with me.

At first I wanted to kill him, but calmed down and regrouped. I offered him a high value treat (hot dogs) with one hand and took the bully stick with my other hand. Then I had him sit and lay down before I let him chew one it. I held the stick while he chewed on it to let him know I was the one who controlled it.

Does anyone else's corgi guared resources? I have always practiced NILF with his food and have never had an issue until now!

I would love to know why he may be doing this or any advice on how to handle it!

[Michael Romanos]

I think you are doing well enough. The thing dogs guard the most carefully and naturally are meaty bones. Taylor had his first only a few months ago and the way he protected his bone then and the way he does now, are very different yet similar. He lets me pick up his bones now but his body language tells me he doesn't like me tampering with his bone. But I do talk to him to convince him that everything is ok and he is either going to see his bone again or it is at the point of being tipped into the rubbish bin.

[LittlePonzo]

It seems to me that you are handling everything right. I would continue set up situations where you can manipulate the bully stick. Be prepared, if snaps don't let that stop you, reach in and get that stick without reservation. Walk up to him like its yours and you own it and want it back, use your feet to show him your boundaries. That will sometimes back them away from the object, then you can treat him right away. Or by moving forward, sometimes you will be able to put your foot on the edge of the stick and if he snaps he gets your shoe, no harm done then just inch your foot up the stick until he has relinquished it or isn't protesting and pick up the stick. Again, treat immediately. Don't talk to him when you are doing things like this, it will send mixed messages, it's pretty hard to reason with a dog. However if you keep doing the "hot dog switcheroo" you can talk to him then, and teach him the "drop it" command. When he is dropping the stick for the hot dog, say "drop it" and treat with the hot dog. He'll think it's a game and love the idea! Hope it helps!

[Jespah]

Has Oliver been neutered? I had similar issues with Rupert and he was better after he was neutered. If he got really snappy with me, I'd flip him over and put my arm across his neck and stare him down until he looked away.

I also held the bone, or chewy while he chewed it and would take it away and give it back so that he got used to it. Now he goes and gets a bone and brings it to me to hold on to!!

[milles2]

Neither Tucker or Lulu ever snapped when I tried to take away a bone, bully stick or treat. But both have once growled at me. Once!
WHen it happened I grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and gave them a good firm no.

Hasn't happened since.

[Bayoucorgi]

How old is sweet little Oliver? Could this be adolescence raising its ugly head? Testosterone poisoning? Either way, you are right not to let it get out of hand (pun intended).

[emma]

I think that's exactly what it is! He's a teenager! He is seven months old. Uh oh, how long is this going to last? Any other "fun" things to look forward to?

[Michael Romanos]

I must say that Jespah has the most perfect answer and one which I follow, if not exactly. Uplift the bone or toy or whatever with some suitable soothing words, and present it back to the Corgi - and repeat this several times immediately and over a period of occasions and you should finish up with a dog that is not under the impression that you are acting like an enemy of the state.

[Michael Romanos]

I must say that Jespah has the most perfect answer and one which I follow, if not exactly. Uplift the bone or toy or whatever with some suitable soothing words, and present it back to the Corgi - and repeat this several times immediately and over a period of occasions and you should finish up with a dog that is not under the impression that you are acting like an enemy of the state.

[Jeni D]

I did exactly what Deb and Michael suggested above with Dudley and it worked wonders. Dudley could care less if I mess with his bone and will bring it to me and lay it in my lap as he chews it. It's a great technique.

[Hayashi_eri]

Buta is a very sweet gal but has growled at me a few times while chewing on her favourite meat bone. I was very shocked initially but I actually like her to have a little character as she is always very submissive to everyone & all other dogs too maybe I am weird in wanting her to build up her confidence??

[Bayoucorgi]

Is Buta serious? Or is she just "talking smack"? Corgis are very vocal. What comes after the growl? Is she saying, "this is SO great I just couldn't stand it if you took it" or is she saying "try to take this and I'll BITE you"? It depends what you accept in your pack. As for me, true Alpha, I say talk all you want as long as you know that it IS mine. We did the de-sensitization where I pick it up and he knows I can, but he also knows if he's polite he'll get it back. So, he knows there is no point in growling about it.

Oh dear Oliver, raging hormone poisoning. I guessed as much. This too shall pass. But not before you try to assert your manly man-ness. As always firm and consistent limits will get him through. And if there are no plans for future little Olivers, it might be a good time to investigate the "brain surgery" (neutering). Good luck.