Help: Weirdo resource guarding behavior (toys)
Hey, guys. I've read the wiki and linked articles on resource guarding, and I do have a trainer I'll call if I can't figure this one out on my own, but this seems like a weirdly specific issue.
Background: My dog is a ~6 year old coonhound who's had a problem with leash reactivity towards other dogs. She also expressed the usual food guarding when we had another dog, but we fed them in separate rooms and they were able to receive treats together. We've been working for years to fix the reactivity and we've gotten to the point where she can be around other leashed dogs outside our neighborhood and even better, off leash with dogs at the park.
My SO started experimenting with taking her to a really great dog park he found (huge space, wooded, and the dogs there seem to be well-socialized). I've been there with them 3 times and all 3 times I've noticed her getting agitated when someone starts throwing a ball or other toy for their dog to fetch.
She's happy to run around and play with the other dogs but when the ball comes out, she gets anxious and mean toward the dog whose ball it is (minor growling and following around). But she doesn't actually want to fetch it. When we take her to a private play yard and toss the ball for her, she just runs around it in a loop like "I found it, here it is, the ball lives here, yay!!!" Same with other dogs; she runs after it with the pack but allows the other dog to take it back to their owner, and then she starts to get antsy. She likes to collect random items at home so I'm wondering if that's related? Like she doesn't want the other dog to move the ball?
I'm looking for tips because I'm at a loss for how to address this. She doesn't resource guard toys at home (even when we did have the other dog). She doesn't do anything with toys even when we try to play with her. So how the heck do I keep her from fixating and getting mad at other dogs for playing with their toys?
Posted Jan 8, 2017, 3:51 PM UTC
Sounds like that's part of the game for her. It's hard to say how concerned you should be without seeing how "antsy" she gets in person. If she's not fighting with the other dog or escalation isn't imminent, I wouldn't worry about it. Some dogs have goofy things they like to do in play. Being the "fun police" is a popular style of play and this sounds a bit like what's going on.
You can try working on her recall at the dog park on a slow day on a long-line to improve her coming away when called. This way, next time she does this, you can interrupt her. Her recall would have to be pretty amazing though outside of the dog park first and then super good in the presence of a few dogs without toys.
Also, food guarding and object guarding are separate issues. They are not mutually exclusive. Just as a side note.
Definitely hear you on the recall. She's okay but not great when she's excited around the other dogs so I've identified that as something that needs to be worked on. Leave it is another one she knows but chooses when she hears it. Every time this has happened, we just move towards the gate to leave and she knows to follow us.
Escalation doesn't seem imminent but it's hard not to worry! I'm not used to her playing with other dogs so I have to constantly remind myself that sometimes dogs are just weird and they can get a bit rough.
I'd move towards the gate, as she heads towards you, give her the recall command "here!" And when she reaches you give her a treat (that is if you can get away with having treats in a dog park w/o being the most popular parent at the park all of the sudden) then walk away from the gate and let her resume.
Dog parks make me super nervous. Dogs are formidable opponents and their disagreements are startling to say the least so I get it. Take her acting like this as a cue for you to take a big deep breath.