PRESENTS AS
A dog who tries to keep others (their people or other animals) away from toys, food, other people or places by growling, barking or biting. Sometimes the level of aggression increases to a point of becoming a serious problem.
OCCURS WHEN
When a dog feels threatened, has had too much free time, doesn’t respect boundaries/space and doesn’t look to their human(s) as a decision maker. Often they become resource guarders because it has worked, and when it works they do it more, getting better and faster every time.
RESOLVES WITH
The Out Drill can be applied to teach the dog leave it, drop it or move commands. It enables the person to claim space around things and teaches the dog guarding in any form is not acceptable.
Live in harmony with your dog!
Tenderfoot Training is my go-to for any sort of dog training! Our Addie had a resource guarding issue as a puppy, and we were concerned that we might have an aggressive dog on our hands. When Addie got her first bully stick, she wouldn’t give it up. When we tried to take it from her, she growled, bared her teeth, and was ready to bite. After learning the Give It Drill, she gives and drops things upon asking!
In October, we adopted a 7-month-old Doberman who had undergone a very recent front leg amputation. Neither my husband nor myself had any experience with a Doberman, a puppy, or an amputee prior to this, so life was a bit challenging. Plus, I ended up developing a skin allergy to him that was limiting how much physical contact I could have with him. Enter Elizabeth. We went for our initial session very soon after the adoption and then had to take a few weeks off. By the time we were back for our second session, things had gone downhill greatly. Elizabeth asked me to describe myself in 3 words, and based on my word choices she knew exactly why we were struggling so much. Our time with Elizabeth is almost like family therapy. Our relationship with Oskar (our pup) has deepened, but so has the relationship between my husband and myself. We are learning so much about each other through our training sessions. Recently, Oskar started showing aggression at feeding time and when he had special bones/chew toys. It got to the point where I was very scared of him, hated to be alone with him, and I was very seriously considering rehoming him. Again, Elizabeth saved us. She taught us ways to feed him and how to use the chew toys that would prevent the aggression. Within a couple days of this particular session, I was back to feeling safe around him and our relationship was growing. We still have a long road ahead as we all figure out this new life together, but I am finally feeling confident that we will get there with Elizabeth’s guidance. Also, if you have any doubts about the Tenderfoot Training, just take a look at their own dogs. We got to see Doug with one of their dogs at our most recent session, and it was a thing of beauty!