Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Since I have posted many times with concerns about Chewie's resource guarding, I thought I would update. Also, I know there are a number of other members with similiar problems who would likely be interested. To begin with, I think there has been some improvement as he has gotten older (now 10 months), but obviously any behavior of this sort is too much. People outside of our home...groomers, daycare staff, etc are shocked when I mention he has a problem at all as they have never seen any sign of it while in their care. In fact, at daycare they often use him to test temperments of new dogs because he is so good and plays so well.
Yesterday we had a visit with a behavioral vet who came very highly recommended by our regular vet. She was just wonderful, so kind and non-judgemental. She has devoted 17 years to studying animal behavior and it is all she practices. It was a two hour appointment so I could probably write a book, but will try to summarize. Basically, it's likely some or most of the behavior comes from Chewie's mom...remember she resource guarded food from her pups...even snapping at them. It is not an uncommon problem for whatever reason it occurs, can never be "cured" but certainly controlled. We spoke extensively and she said she was very impressed by so much we had already done and how informed we were and the understanding we had of the problem. She feels we are very close to a big improvement. She provided us with a wealth of information and some methods to help desensitize the problem. Everything she said/explained made so much sense. She also provided information that the theory of the alpha dog and the whole pack mentality is an outdated theory as provided in the position statement by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Obviously our dogs need direction and need to be a good citizen in our home, but they really don't want to "be the boss" nor do they understand respect (or the lack of) for their owners. As nice as it is to have an obedient dog, he can do the very best sits, stays and downs, but it won't keep him from resource guarding if that is his tendency. We need to recognize his triggers (we do), read his cues and work on avoidance along with the desensitizing and she is confident that in six months we'll look back at this as a distant memory. She said we don't have to "work hard" at it, just incorporate it into our everyday life and Chewie's.
Thanks to everyone who shared their advice and opinions with us along this journey. We are happy to be making strides and hopefully seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
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