Have you struggled with food aggression or resource guarding from your puppy or adult dog? Check out some of my positive dog training methods that helped fix Argo's food rage when he was a pup.
0:00 - Intro
0:27 - THE MOMENT OF RAGE
0:50 - Does he hate me?
1:12 - How to make your hands no longer a threat
2:15 - Give and Take
3:28 - Golden Commands
5:01 - How is Argo now?
5:53 - Final thoughts and Basenji Tips
Back when Argo was a 4 month old puppy, he unexpectedly developed a resource guarding trait. My first mistake was to challenge Argo and heighten my aggression as he heightened his. "Spoiled little S**T!" I thought as I let my emotions get a hold of me. I even wore a glove so that I could get the treat off him, expecting this little terror to attempt to maul my hand! Needless to say, this confrontational approach only raised Argo's intensity and made me look and feel more insecure.
Thankfully, I took a timeout and thought deeply about it all, analyzing my actions and his. First thing I noticed was that Argo viewed my hands as a threat, but not me personally. Like it was a five-legged creature coming to take away something he values. So wearing gloves did nothing but to reinforce that threat!
The basis of my new approach was to get Argo used to having my hands around his food/treat while he ate it. I would hold one end while he chewed, stroke him and be non-threatening. I would also have a playful, calm and positive tone and be firm when he was being cheeky. Observing and understanding his body language was also key. For example, when he turned his back to me and grabbed his treat with both paws it usually meant he was in guarding mode and anything coming from behind was a threat.
With these simple steps, I've found that I only need to use my hands to grab food from Argo when he's picked up crap in the street like a chicken bone or chocolate brownie (!). And when that happens, I can go right into his mouth knowing that he will be submissive. If it's a treat I've given him, verbal commands are way more effective and desirable. For example, I would tell Argo to "Leave" a bully-stick and "COME HERE" when he has got down to the last inch so he doesn't choke on it. I believe it is important to have clear boundaries and rules and to be firm, but it's still about 99% positive training. I'm human of course, now and again I may lose my temper but you will never ever see me doing an alpha roll and pinning him down or harming my boy in any way.
Disclaimer: This video is not intended to be a substitute for professional help when dealing with dogs with an intense or potentially dangerous behavioural issue.
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