Resource guarding

[Moobli]

I’m intending on taking my little rehome collie on a weekend break with two friends and their dogs. One issue that seems to be presenting itself is what I would think is resource guarding. She’s ok with other dogs as long as they don’t get too much in her face (if they do, she’ll curl her lip and sometimes snap). I don’t mind that too much as she doesn’t go looking for a fight. But the other day when on a walk with friends, she was saying hello to one of the other humans and their own dog came up to see if there was any food going (she’s a Labrador lol) and collie curled her lip and then nipped the Lab on the nose. She stopped and came away as soon as I yelled at her then acted like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth . I’ve noticed she’s definitely more on edge when other dogs are in her face and she’s a greedy madam too, so will resource guard food from the others. Is it something just better managed rather than can be cured?
Just to add, she never tries it on with my other dogs (GSDs) as I think she’s a bit wary of them.
I’d like to have a relaxed weekend with friends, walking etc so would it be better just to keep her separate from the others when we are in enclosed areas where she feels she has to resource guard (me or food etc)?

 

[limestonelil]

Sounds like it might be the easiest way for you to have a relaxing weekend, bit of separation at times. Otherwise you may be unnecessarily on edge as collie will be too quick for you to prevent incidents anyway.
Imho.
Iyswim.

 

[Moobli]

Sounds like it might be the easiest way for you to have a relaxing weekend, bit of separation at times. Otherwise you may be unnecessarily on edge as collie will be too quick for you to prevent incidents anyway.
Imho.
Iyswim.

Agreed! She’s VERY quick!

 

[P3LH]

Corgi bitch is like this. Was a huge problem once. Very well managed now. She is firm in the understanding of etiquette with us as a family and our other pets, but less so in other situations so we mitigate much as you’ve described. Much less stressful and no dramas.

 

[Goldenstar]

Is she crate trained ?

 

[Moobli]

Is she crate trained ?

Yes, she was before coming to me but she now lives in kennels so not needed but I’m sure she’d be fine. As we are all travelling in one van space is limited but there are crates in the van so she can chill out in there when needed.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I’d like to have a relaxed weekend with friends, walking etc so would it be better just to keep her separate from the others when we are in enclosed areas where she feels she has to resource guard (me or food etc)?

That is what I would do. She will be anxious all the time if she thinks she has to guard everything all the time. That won't be a relaxing time for anyone.

 

[twiggy2]

I have often found if it's managed it dissapears in its own as tension levels are lower, trying to correct it is difficult as you watch for it at trigger points and times and that increases stress for everyone, as resource guarding is often stress related it makes it worse for the dog even if the shuts down its display of emotion so you can't see it.
Much as I love my dogs it is nice to be able to relax and know they are safe when you are away from home so it's good for you too.

 

[P3LH]

I have often found if it's managed it dissapears in its own as tension levels are lower, trying to correct it is difficult as you watch for it at trigger points and times and that increases stress for everyone, as resource guarding is often stress related it makes it worse for the dog even if the shuts down its display of emotion so you can't see it.
Much as I love my dogs it is nice to be able to relax and know they are safe when you are away from home so it's good for you too.

This.

My bitch eats her meals in the same room as the other dogs now without so much of a crossed word. You can take her bowl, toys etc too as long as using the word ‘finished’.

This is a dog that as a pup bit through my lip (needing stitches) for leaning over to get the remote when she was chewing a carrot next to me/sprained my wrist as an adolescent (had to have it strapped up for about four months - so quite bad) when I lifted her bowl/punctured my thigh when tidying toys away etc.

I would never ever have thought we’d have gotten to here. But, and it’s the big but, it’s important to never be complacent even with a ‘once’ resource guarder.

Mine eats with the others - supervised. Gives things up with the command ‘finished’ as long as she knows there isn’t hesitation. Isn’t put in high pressurised situations where there may be conflict. We’ve had one incident in the last 18 months or so - in a high pressure situation when just arriving at our holiday destination.

 

[Moobli]

Well done on your work with the wee madam Luke! Definitely not easy with a dog who resource guards. Thankfully my collie “only” guards against other dogs and not people but i certainly won’t let my guard down in that respect either.
It’s only a couple of nights away and we’ve specifically chosen a site with three individual pods so we can have our own space. I am going to speak to the friend with the van and see if I can fit a crate in as Pearlsasinger recommended and will use that if possible, as it definitely makes good sense.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We bought a lightweight folding crate when we took our Labs on holiday. They happily share a crate but it meant that we could sleep without worrying about what the dogs, who are used to sleeping in a crate were doing.