Michael Baugh CDBC

It will stop you in your tracks, a dog hunkered over a prized item, snarling and growling. Worse if it’s our own dog. It’s even more frightening if the dog launches off the item to charge and bite us. They do that sometimes.

Most of us have heard the term “resource guarding.” Dogs want to access and protect food, primarily. They will also guard things they find (tissues are a favorite), chew toys, dead things. The list goes on. Some dogs will guard valued sleeping spots. Others still guard people. Possession is key. Maintaining possession is where the conflict comes in.

Guarding resources is normal. We guard stuff, our cars, our homes. We have locks and alarm systems. Some of us are armed. None of us would take kindly to a passerby snatching a French fry from our plate at a restaurant. I sometimes call resource guarding evolutionarily adaptive. It keeps organisms alive long enough to pass on their genes.

The thing is, our dogs have plenty of food, lots of toys, comfy beds and kind people who love them. They have nothing to worry about. Still, the guarding shows up out of any rational context. It’s hard wired in even if it’s unnecessary.

How can we humans help?

Here’s what not to do. The answer is not to teach the dog who is boss and force the issue. That escalates the conflict. Escalation leads to bites. And I don’t think it’s about coercing the dog to let us reach and take an object from them. That can yield the same poor result.

Here’s what I recommend: teach a strong coming when called. Pick a cue. I use “Charlie Come!” Reinforce with high-value food every time you use the cue. Every time. If you’re just starting out, you can say the cue at a close distance, pause, and feed. Keep your promise. Every time I say “Charlie Come!” I pay with food. I never take a freebie (I reinforce with food every time he comes). If you want to learn more about this technique, you can contact me or watch the video “Really Reliable Recall.”

Let’s look at that hunkered, snarling dog again. What if we could simply call him to us and away from the guarded object? A well trained coming when called gives us that option. We aren’t chasing or scolding him. In fact, the best approach is to present ourselves as if the item doesn’t matter to us at all. We are calling our dog to us for a lovely treat, like we’ve done hundreds of times before. Because we trained with positive reinforcement, we are changing the subject altogether. Nothing to guard here.

When our dog comes to us, he has two acceptable options.

1) He can bring the item with him. He will drop it for the treat he always gets when he responds to the cue. We can choose to toss the treat away and recover the item. Or, if it’s his own bone or toy, we can treat him and give the item right back (nice training rep).

2) Alternatively, he can leave the item behind. We can toss his treat away and recover the item, or if we’ve taught a reliable “stay” cue, we can ask our dog to wait while we go get it.

This training process takes conflict out of the equation. We can call our dogs away from guarded spaces, too. We can even interrupt the guarding of people.

If your dog has bitten. Or if you think your dog is at risk of injuring a person or another animal, I recommend you work with a qualified Certified Dog Behavior Consultant familiar with using positive reinforcement to mediate aggressive behavior.

There is hope, even for dogs who seem particularly aggressive. No case is completely hopeless.

 

Michael Baugh specializes in aggressive dog training. He helps dog training clients all over North America. 

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA

There is a very good chance that we will have to pick up and do somewhere with our dog at a moment’s notice. This is most likely to occur in hurricane season. But life is full of variables. It could happen at any time. We may have to stay with our dog at a family member’s house, a hotel, or even a shelter. There will be new people there, new dogs, unfamiliar smells, sights and sounds. Dogs who have a successful history navigating novel environments and circumstances will do well. Others will need our help.

I define emotional resilience as the ability to stay calm, pro-social, and behaviorally flexible in a variety of circumstances and settings. Dogs who are emotionally resilient seem to go with the flow. Owners recognize their dogs as being their normal selves, behaving in new settings just as they do at home.

Can we teach this? Yes. Some dogs are just more easy-going than others. Teaching a degree of emotional resilience and behavior flexibility varies depending on the individual dog. Many of our dogs have emotional and behavioral challenges. We’ll need to make special considerations for them.

Here are some things you do to help your dog ahead of time:

Practice being your dog’s go-to. Yes, this means training. Dogs who have a regular positive reinforcement training routine look to their humans for direction and support. We want this. Practice. When in doubt (e.g., when in a new setting), our dog will look to us for guidance. Having us as a reference point can be very calming to our dogs. Be your dog’s emotional support human. The key here is teaching joyfully with positive reinforcement training. Keep it light and help your dog succeed. No dog wants a person barking commands when they’re already stressed out.

Create safe spaces. No matter where you land in an emergency, set up a safe, quiet space for your dog. It would be great if your dog could meet the novel people and animals where you are staying. Even if that’s the case, your dog will eventually want a place to rest. A crate is fine. A room behind a door or baby gate might be even better. Bring familiar bedding and favorite items. Some dogs can’t tolerate being separated, especially in a new space. That’s okay. Create a safe space near you where people and other animals won’t bother them.

Keep a consistent schedule. Feed. Walk. Play. Cuddle. Do your best to maintain the routine you had at home.

Look for new opportunities. When we headed west during Covid, my dogs discovered a new love of hiking. Regardless of where you are, there are enticing adventures awaiting. Most dogs enjoy exploring with their noses. Some might forge new human or canine friendships. Take advantage of those wins. Nothing relieves stress like fun.

We can’t prepare for everything, of course. Do your best. Have a “go bag” with your dog’s medical records, medications, microchip number. Research veterinary care at your point of destination. Plan. But try not to obsess.

As the philosopher once said, shit happens. Somehow, we persevere. Take care of yourself and your family. Don’t be afraid to comfort your dog. It’s why many of us got a dog. We wanted someone to take care of, a friend, someone to be by our side no matter what life throws at us. You’ll be okay. You’ll get through it together.

 

Michael Baugh teaches dog training in Houston TX. He specializes in aggressive dog training. 

 

Michael Baugh CDBC CPDT-KSA

Who will care for my dog when I’m traveling? Most of you know, Tim and I travel a lot. So, it’s a question we’ve had to ask ourselves often. We found some good options. But, there is no single best option. As with many important questions regarding our dogs, the answer is frequently: “it depends.”

Friends and family are my first go-to. The key is to choose someone who shares your values as a dog guardian. Think this through. Be clear. For example, we never let our dog outside unattended, even in our fenced backyard. We are fortunate to have dear friends who keep Charlie in their own home when we travel. (We call them Charlie’s godparents). They never leave their dogs out either. We communicate well and agree on just about every aspect of caring for dogs. If you have someone like this in your life, hold on to them and treat them well.

Live-in pet sitters can be great. When our last dogs were seniors, we wanted them to have the familiarity and security of their own home when we were away. We had some great experiences with live-in pet sitters. We also had a few missteps. The key, again, is communication. Be clear on what you expect. Check in often. We also had caring neighbors checking on the dogs (and the pet sitter) while we were away. It worked well for us.

Professional boarding facilities are a fine option as well. These are full-time licensed kennels in the business of pet care. (Most cities require kennels to earn and maintain a license). The owners of these businesses, whether individual or corporate, have made significant investments in their infrastructure and staff. They value and protect their reputations. Most genuinely love dogs and hire people who do too. That combination can add up to great care for your dog. Of course, there are notable exceptions. I’ve boarded dogs at boarding facilities. Here’s what I look for:

• Access to see the entire facility. If they won’t give you a tour, don’t leave your dog there.
• Check cleanliness, climate control, access to sunlight and ventilation.
• Make sure the enclosures (some places have luxury suites) do not directly face dogs in other runs. This can frustrate and distress for many dogs.
• Look for enclosed and supervised potty areas (If the facility has play areas, they must be supervised and size segregated. No big dogs and small dogs together).
• Access to meet and interact with the care team. I prefer that there also be overnight staffing.

As with all options, leaving your dog at a boarding facility really hinges on shared values. Does the ownership, management, and staff meet your standards? Finding out requires talking to the key players and seeing the place firsthand. If it’s not a match, okay. Move on.

Some vet clinics offer good boarding options. I’ve not used any. I steer away from any place that offers boarding as an add-on (like vet clinics or big box stores). Instead, I prefer places in the business of lodging only or as their primary service.

I never have used and never will use a pet sitting app. If you do, just keep in mind they are not licensed. Most lack the training and long-term business commitment of the boarding facilities in your area. Certainly, many people develop relationships with pet sitters through these apps. If you want to explore this option, apply the same scrutiny you would to a boarding facility.

• Insist on seeing where your pet will sleep, play, eat, and otherwise hang out.
• Observe (long before booking) how or if your dog will interact with other animals in the pet sitter’s home. Will any other animals be staying there at the same time? (If so, I would not take my dog there).
• Look for cleanliness, comfort, and safety concerns. Does it feel like home?
• Meet everyone who will interact with your dog. Do they share your values?

Our dogs are family. If they were anything less, you wouldn’t be reading this blog. We budget for them. We invest time, energy, emotion in them. When we travel, Tim and I talk about Charlie constantly (some would say too much). We regale people we’ve just met with photos of him on our phones. Who takes care of Charlie when we are gone is not a second thought. It’s our first thought, our most important thought.

Plan ahead. The best pet care professionals and the best facilities book months in advance. Don’t call a week or two ahead. You’ll likely be too late. Your dog deserves the very best. Charlie sure does. And you deserve peace of mind. How nice is it to know your beloved dog is enjoying himself too — loved, happy, comfortable? Just like home. If he’s lucky, maybe better than home. It’s vacation, after all.

 

Michael Baugh teaches dog training in Houston, TX. He specializes in aggressive dog behavior.