Why do dogs resource guard and how can I help them stop?

C

childlessdoglady

New member
I have a Cavalier and we often have other Cavaliers stay with us, and whenever we do one or both dogs start to resource guard their food and treats. They'll try and eat each other's food instead of their own, and growl and bark and get very territorial of their bowls or bones. We usually separate them in opposite parts of the room and try to not let them see each other eat (or will take one on a walk and feed the other while we're gone) but it doesn't always work! Even after they finish their food, they'll sniff each other's empty bowls and circle around it almost like they are taunting the other dog. Anyone else experience this and/or have tips to help!? Thanks!
 
Resource guarding can be challenging, especially when multiple dogs are involved. It's great that you're already separating them during mealtime, but there are a few additional strategies that may help:
  1. Increase Distance: If possible, try feeding the dogs in completely separate rooms or behind barriers where they cannot see or hear each other.
  2. Feed on a Schedule: Stick to a strict feeding schedule so the dogs know when to expect food. Consistency can help reduce anxiety and competition around meals.
  3. Remove Bowls After Eating: As soon as the dogs finish eating, remove their bowls to prevent them from lingering around each other's empty bowls.
  4. Supervised Treat Time: For treats, offer them in a controlled, structured way. Have the dogs sit at a distance and hand them treats one at a time. Make sure both dogs get a treat simultaneously to prevent jealousy.
  5. Work on “Leave It” Commands: Teaching both dogs to respond to a solid “leave it” command can help when one tries to approach the other’s food or bowl. Practicing this command in non-feeding situations will make it easier to enforce when the need arises.
  6. Calming Signals: If the dogs are showing tension even outside of mealtime, using calming signals like giving them space, or providing enrichment toys, can help reduce overall competition between them.
Have you tried any other methods so far, or noticed specific triggers that make the resource guarding worse?
 
Thanks for the quick response and tips! Yes this morning I put a barrier between them so they couldn't see each other which helped. After my dog gobbled up his food I held him in my arms and petted him to let the other one finish. The other dog kept looking back at us (tried to stay out of his sight) and that seemed to help. I also practiced "stay" commands with my dog and the positive reinforcement was helpful (then rewarded both with treats). We're getting there. Last night I gave them each their bones, but of course they wanted the other one's bone. Thankfully they were both meat-free (my dog is allergic) so switching it up might be part of the excitement (in addition to trading/taunting each other entertainment ha!)
 
I never knew this was a thing, but now that I have read about it, my Chihuahua used to do this, too. She would sit on her food when other dogs were around. I started to feed her separately from the others when I noticed this. Thanks for the great tips above; this is excellent information, especially because many dogs I've seen do this around other dogs and even sometimes cats.
 
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