RESOURCE GUARDING

[Laura Bogar]

Im having problems with resource guarding. I did not think she was guarding from me but she is just without the aggression part. She will give me her toys after a chase and a tug but not what I asked for. With other dogs around...its a different story. She is aggressive with toys and will and jump with a loud bark at the other dog to steal its toy. Today at the dog park she did just that over a stick. She was running away so I could not catch her. Another dog managed to snatch the stick from her and it went down hill from there. She began to fight with the other dog but no one was hurt. She was then put on her leash but still very angry, especially to be on the leash around dogs that were getting to play and have fun...She was barking,growling, and jumping at every dog that came near her on the leash. When I thought she was ok I let her off the leash. She then ran to the dog she was fighting with and jumped and growled at it....(kinda like saying just want let you know you didnt win that fight). Then that dog left the park. After that a dog mounted her and she jumped and growled at it to back off... the dog then later came back to sniff her and was getting pretty close and she felt threated he was going to mount her again so she gave a few growls. I didnt want her to do anything to I grabbed her collar and said lets go. She starts growling and barking at the dog alot while her collar was in my hand and the other dog reacted the same way. We left once the owner got her dog away so I could leave.PLEASE HELP! iv tried letting her know it is my ball but I want her to be able to go to the park and play without an issue. I do not have a fenced in yard so I take her to the dog park daily to play fetch...If another dog shows up we have to quickly leave so there are no issues but she will turn extremely possesive if the dog is jumping all over her or tries to take her ball.

[KLN]

I'm sorry Laura! I hope some good advice gets posted. My oldest (a cocker spaniel) is the same way. I've given up and stopped taking her to the dog park because it made me too nervous. I'm sure it's changeable behavior for yours and mine, I just never knew how to address it. It might be something you need to work with a trainer on. She is amazing adorable though. ;0). Good luck, you'll figure it out...they're like kids, they all just figure things out at their own pace. ;0)