Harmonious living: Preventing Resource Guarding Between Dogs and Children

Dogs are often described as a man’s best friend, and they can be wonderful additions to a family. When you have children and a dog, it’s essential to teach them to coexist safely and harmoniously. One potential issue that can arise is resource guarding, where a dog becomes possessive of their toys, food, or other items. Let’s explore what resource guarding is, why it can happen, and how to prevent it to ensure a happy and safe environment for both your furry friend and your kids.

Understanding Resource Guarding

Resource guarding, also known as possessive aggression or territorial aggression, is a behaviour in which a dog becomes defensive or aggressive when someone approaches or tries to take away something of value. Unfortunately, dogs are more likely to resource guard against kids than adults. These valuable resources can include food, toys, bones, or even a favourite spot on the couch. This behaviour can escalate if not addressed, potentially leading to bites or other confrontations.

Why Resource Guarding Happens

Resource guarding is a natural behaviour in dogs that stems from their evolutionary history. In the wild, dogs needed to protect their food and possessions to survive. While domestic dogs no longer face these same survival challenges, the instinct to guard resources can still be present.

Resource guarding can also occur due to a lack of socialisation, insecurity, fear, or past negative experiences. Understanding the root cause of your dog’s resource guarding behaviour is crucial to effectively address it.

Preventing Resource Guarding

If you’re bringing a new puppy or dog into your family, it’s essential to start teaching them good behaviours from a young age. This encompasses basic obedience training and fostering a sense that you’re there to enrich their lives rather than detract from them.
To promote well-rounded socialisation, expose your dog to various people, including children, and diverse situations. This helps them build confidence and reduces the likelihood of reacting aggressively when someone approaches them near their possessions.
Reward your dog generously for willingly sharing their resources. Utilise treats, praise, and affection as positive reinforcements for good behaviour. When your dog permits someone, especially a child, to approach their belongings without exhibiting protective behaviours like growling or snapping, be sure to acknowledge and reward them.
Inevitably, there will be situations where our dogs have something they shouldn’t. Hence, it’s crucial to prepare for such instances. Train your dog to ‘give’ or ‘leave’ items on cue, making it easier to take things from them if necessary. These cues are valuable tools for preventing resource guarding.

The most important aspect of integrating dogs into a family with children is instilling a mutual understanding of respect for each other’s personal space. Just like people, dogs have a space bubble they prefer not to have invaded without permission. Establishing clear boundaries and conveying the significance of respecting our canine companions’ space reduces the likelihood of dogs feeling the need to resource guard, mitigating the potential harm to our children. This prioritises the safety of both dogs and children.

Maintain vigilant supervision during interactions between your dog and children, allowing prompt intervention at the first signs of fear, discomfort, or aggression. This proactive approach ensures a harmonious and safe environment for everyone involved.

If your dog frequently displays resource guarding behaviour despite your efforts to prevent it, ensure you consult a professional dog trainer or behaviourist so that they can provide specialised guidance and training techniques to address the issue.

Dogs can make wonderful companions for children, but it’s essential to address and prevent resource guarding behaviour to ensure a safe and harmonious environment. By understanding the root causes of resource guarding, starting early with training and socialisation, and consistently reinforcing positive behaviour, you can help your dog and children coexist peacefully, creating a loving and safe home for all members of your family.