Ever since we got Archie, Heidi has been growling at Archie when he comes near her food. He knows to back off, if she’s eating. If there’s a particular toy or bone she has and he gets too close or tries to take it from her, she’ll lunge and snap at him. She never did this with the dog we had before Archie because that dog would allow Heidi to take his treats and toys.
It sounds like Heidi is experiencing some resource guarding, which is quite common, especially after significant changes such as the introduction of a new pet and the loss of another. Resource guarding is a natural behavior where a dog protects items they consider valuable, such as food, toys, or even certain people.
To help manage and reduce Heidi's resource guarding behavior, here are some steps you can take:
First, consider feeding Heidi and Archie in separate areas. This can prevent confrontations over food and help reduce Heidi's stress, making her less likely to feel the need to guard her food.
Next, limit access to high-value toys and treats when both dogs are together. You can give these items to Heidi when she is alone or in a separate space from Archie, which can help prevent any guarding behavior.
It's also beneficial to use positive reinforcement. Reward Heidi for calm behavior around Archie. If she remains calm when Archie is nearby, give her treats and praise. This helps her associate Archie’s presence with positive experiences.
Teaching Heidi commands like "leave it" and "drop it" can be very useful. These commands can help you manage situations where she might start to guard an item.
Always supervise interactions between Heidi and Archie, especially when high-value items are involved. This allows you to intervene if necessary and prevent any aggressive incidents.
Additionally, consider using desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques. Gradually expose Heidi to Archie being near her valued items in a controlled manner, rewarding her for non-aggressive behavior. This process can help her become more comfortable with Archie’s presence around her resources.
Given that this behavior has been ongoing for several months and is triggered by specific situations, it’s important to be patient and consistent with training. If Heidi's aggression escalates or if you find it challenging to manage her behavior, seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or a behaviorist can be very beneficial.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.
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