Paws Off My Bowl! Resource Guarding in Dogs

Resource guarding is a common canine behavior observed in shelters. It is a problem that can have negative outcomes for dogs because shelter dogs exhibiting human-directed aggression are at greater risk of euthanasia. Resource guarding is a natural behavior that occurs on a spectrum. It can be improved through a behavior plan, and some dogs never exhibit resource guarding again after  implementing that plan, but it is a behavior that is never completely cured.

This course addresses one form of resource guarding behavior – food bowl guarding. You will learn one resource guarding protocol that is effective at reducing mild to moderate levels of resource guarding behavior in a shelter. After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

• Set up safety management
• Implement a food bowl guarding behavior modification plan

Course author: Ferdie Yau (MA, CPDT-KA)