How long to conquer food guarding?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Okay, Hattie has growled at me and the cats when I give her food with good stuff mixed in, like yogurt or pumpkin etc. So I take and give the bowl back, add more treats, and sit and hand feed and we talk about it all. By the end of the meal even the cat can walk up and eat out of her bowl. But she of course is also full at this point! But still it happens every time there are good eats. The other day I gave her a new Yak Chew and the cat had the audacity to walk by and Hattie came unglued. So then we sat again with taking and giving back. Now the Yak Chew is still her favorite but I can easily take it away. How long does it take to relax them enough that this won't continue to happen? I read that females are more prone to food guarding.

[Taylor & Huff]

It sounds like your doing a good job correcting this problem.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

"So I take and give the bowl back, add more treats, and sit and hand feed and we talk about it all."  I really have to believe that if this is what's going on, it's going to take a really long time to cure the food guarding.  If I was Hattie I would think that food guarding was AWESOME.  I'd get to play a game with Mom where she takes the dish and adds more yummy stuff and then gives it back to me....Woo Hoo!  Then she "hand feeds me"....perfect!  And then she "talks to me about it"....I don't understand English, but I love it when Mom gives me special attention by talking to me.  I'm really sorry if this sounds insensitive, and I know that you're really trying hard to cure this. I'm not in any way trying to minimize what you've been doing.  This is just how I would look at it if I was Hattie, and I'd not be in any hurry to stop my food guarding. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sandy, I'm really sorry if my response offended you.  I do think different trainers have very different views.  I was just sharing how MY individual trainer would view this.

[Adina P]

Haven't dealt with this myself but I second the idea that 'talking about it' (unless it is SHORT fire and brimstone type 'sermon') isn't really something useful. 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Sandy - My trainer just talked about this today with a couple in our class having these issues with their dog.  He said if the dog growls to just calmly take the food & the meal is over until the next feeding time.  I thought "YIKES, won't they starve to death?"  So...we'll have to see what the couple reports next time.  Should be interesting.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Sandy - I forgot to say earlier that my trainer had a story about a dog he owns who had this issue when he first rescued him.  This dog he said was cured of the food guarding around other dogs very soon after working with him.  However, he said that when there were treats involved (beyond his regular food), it took about 9 months to fix the problem.  He did admit the dog's guarding was severe, so that's why it took so long.

I'm SURE Hattie's is not as severe as that!  Good luck and keep us posted!  I may run into this with Bexter later on down the road (I hope not, but who knows?).

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am not sure what the right answer is but I agree with Jane and Adina that your current method seems to be rewarding unwanted behavior. I would certainly not give her added goodies although returning the food after you've taken it away might at least let her know that you get food when you behave properly and it can be taken away if you do not.

[Adina P]

I'm not sure.  I'd probably consult my trainer and follow her advice.

 

But I don't add anything to my dog's kibble and typically feed in the crate until they are older so my situation is not exactly the same.  I probably would just leave the dog alone to eat and not give it toppings so there was no issue.  In the meantime I'd establish my role in the relationship via a strict obedience training program...but that doesn't happen right away so it would be an investment.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Since you asked, I'll share how I approach it.  My dogs know that I am the one who "owns" their food, toys, chews, basically everything.  They must sit and wait calmly while I prepare their food.  Then I put it down, and they again wait until I release them.  Every now and then I'll take their dish away while they are eating (even though they aren't guarding), wait a while, and then give it back.  This is just a reinforcement.  I do the same thing with "high prize" items like their chews.  When we first got Murph he was testing and he growled at me once over a chew toy that I was taking away because he was pulling it apart.  I gave him a VERY FIRM verbal correction, and took the toy.  He has not done it again, but I continually "practice" this because I don't want it to ever happen again.  I think the method you use to some degree depends on the message you are trying to send.  Methods that involve taking the food away and then giving it right back instill a message that resource guarding isn't really necessary because the food (or other prize) will be given back.  I think that's fine if it works with that particular dog.  The message I was trying to send is a little different.  I want them to know that growling at me for ANY REASON is always wrong and will not be tolerated....and it will result in a bad outcome for them.  I want them to not growl because they see me as their leader....and you don't growl at your leader ever, and it really goes deeper than just the guarding of the food or toy.  Sandy, please know that I am not trying to state that my approach is right and yours is wrong,  Because Murph is a strong willed dog, I've worked with trainers weekly since we got him, and still do.  My trainer has taught me to examine how my actions will be perceived by my dogs, and that is what I was sharing with you.  I am clearly not locked into one training method....I believe in any method that produces results.  It sounds like you are very comfortable with the approach you are using, so that's great.  I sincerely hope that you continue to see progress, and possibly your trainer could share how long it might take using that particular method.  Good luck.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

There is a behaviorist here on DK who did describe something similar to your method,   This particular discussion, if I remember correctly. had to do with the owner and the dog's Bully Stick.

The owner was to sit on the chair with the Bully Stick in her hand and hold it for the dog all the while enjoying each others company.  Removing, then returning the Bully Stick.   Sounds similar to the method you are trying.

As to the amount of time, I have no idea.   One of my dog's has resource guarding on occasion and I have used this method also. 

Sometimes though, I just REMOVE the object that is causing the guarding altogether and end the problem immediately with a verbal NO. Not so easy to do for  you  if she is doing this each time she is served dinner.

Resource guarding is difficult to correct but so important to remain vigilant.    I would not give up trying to correct this behavior. I think in the long run it will be worth the effort and encourage you to keep it up as long as you can!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sandy, I feed my dogs kibble only. I don't mix anything else in. Maybe eliminate the goodies and see if she is still guarding the bowl. We did rescue a dog that did the resource guarding with socks and toys. She was 10 when we got her and the only thing that worked for her was I traded her for something better. She would bite..no doubt about it...and I had never encountered this behavior with any other dog. She did not do it when my husband commanded she drop it or leave it, so I am sure it was me and probably that I was not firm enough, but it intimidated me because she was fierce about it. I think Hattie is still in the "let's see what I can get away with" stage and I think you are going to have to let her know that you control when she gets fed and that it is yours to give and take. As for how long, I think that depends on whether you nip it in the bud now. Good luck!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sandy, Good luck to you. It sounds like you are on top of everything. You are going to get lots of opinions, but you know Hattie better than all of us do and it sounds like you have been doing your homework. You could always run it by a trainer you trust and get a second opinion.