If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably experienced your dog becoming possessive of objects. It’s common for dogs to guard their toys, food, and beds from other animals and people. But why do dogs become possessive in the first place? And how can you help them overcome this behavior? In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and offer tips on how to deal with a territorial or possessive dog.
Most pet parents consider their furry friends as part of the family. And many pets are spoiled with an abundance of food and toys. Why, then, are so many dogs possessive — even aggressive — about their toys and food?
This behavioral issue can become a problem, endangering you and other dogs. In extreme cases, a dog’s territorial behavior is a key factor in surrendering them to an animal shelter.
If your dog displays any of the following behaviors, then retraining them is necessary.
These behaviors occur when a dog claims a toy or a perceived space (turf or territory). Dog behaviorists call this behavior “resource protection,” and it arises from natural canine herding and hunting instincts. You may witness dog possessiveness in the dog park, at home when your dog interacts with other pets, or even when it’s just you and your dog together, with no additional stimulation, threat or competition.
As in humans, extreme, unnecessary aggression may initially seem to be a sign of super confidence, when in fact it’s just the opposite.
Look carefully at your dog’s body while she is eating. Is her body stiff and high with a tense back or raised hackles, ears back, or tail lowered? Some dogs even show the whites of their eyes while eating, indicating high stress approaching panic. These are actually signs of fear and any of these may be early signs of food aggression.
Possessive dogs will stiffen and snap if you reach for the dish to refill it while they’re eating, guarding the perimeter of their eating area. By contrast, confident dogs that feel safe in their environment don’t mind being lightly touched as they eat, and may even give you a tail wag of gratitude as they chow down.
While any dog can become possessive and sometimes dangerously so, the following specific breeds seem most prone:
The possessive impulse may be genetic and negative early life experiences can worsen it. Experiences like stress, feeling threatened by humans or other dogs, deprivation, and/or abuse can leave an imprint of insecurity in the psyche of your dog. This leads to jealous guarding and “protection” of food, snacks, treats and toys.
Never, ever “fight fire with fire” when dealing with your dog. It’s a mistake to think that you need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack through force or aggression; it can be done gently. This probably goes without saying, but do not punish the dog with striking, scolding, or by withholding walks, food, treats, contact or love.
Instead, do this: be calm, assertive and consistent as you offer your dog alternatives to possessive behaviors.
The good news is that possessiveness is a behavior that can be prevented and reversed with the right training. Here are a few techniques you can use to help your dog overcome his possessiveness:
Possessive behaviors are typically set into motion when a puppy is very young. If you’re adopting a puppy, use their early years to establish trust and ease. Allow all household members to give the puppy food and treats, and allow the puppy to see and sniff their hands while doing so. Your puppy will also learn to enjoy seeing you fill the dish, making a clear and positive connection between friendly humans and getting fed.
Puppies need to be trained to “Leave” and “Give.” The basic idea with these commands is to teach your dog to release something that they want, and then praising and rewarding them with another (even yummier!) treat or toy to compensate. In psychological terms, this is a form of the “abundance theory” in action for dogs, assuring your pet that there will always be enough.
Older dogs with established possessiveness traits are more difficult to retrain, but the same basic principles apply. The dog must be skillfully desensitized so it’s no longer necessary to “protect” food or toys.
Be sure to train your dog as soon as possible, before they become possessive. The following tips will help you and your dog feel more comfortable and confident.
Is your dog possessive? Contact Airvet for a behavioral consultation to create a plan of action. And if you haven’t already, download the app today!
