(private information for SCDR AND CBBR)
resource guarding PREvention
We never want our pups to feel threatened around their resources (regular food, treats, bones, chewies, beds, toys, etc.). In order to prevent issues from coming up we want to put certain exercises in place.
- Feed your pups by hand. Half a meal per day for the first week and then half a meal per week for the next few months.
- Don't take valuable things off them, especially not in a threatening way. You can ask them to 'Leave it' if they haven't picked it up yet or 'Drop' if they have (you can't ask this yet as we first need to train it, but once you have the tools you want to practise those commands heaps). For now you want to make the environment very puppy proof, teach your pups to bring things to you by dropping hight and encouraging them in a fun way. Worst case you swap the pup for a bunch of ridiculously yummy treats. Don't start chasing. That's scary for the pup or fun and not to be encouraged.
- When your pup is having a meal you can walk over to their bowl and add something even yummier into it, so they learn you approaching their food is a good thing.
- Once the last exercise has been repeated in about 5-10 sessions (depending how happy your pup is with you approaching their food) you can then pick the bowl up add something more delicious to it than their usual food and pop the bowl down again. Again, your pup is learning it's worth it letting you take the food away.
- You want to watch for the following signs that will show that your pup isn't confident: 1. pup speeds up eating, 2. pup freezes, 3. pup curls lip or growls. Talk to me if this is the case.
- If actual resource guarding is in place, contact your foster manager!