Possession Aggression Seminar - Bones, Toys, Food, Beds, etc.

The Possession Aggression seminar is part of our adult dog training program. You can sign up for this seminar individually for $39 or sign up for a multi-session class and attend this session for free, if space is available.

It's common for dogs to guard their bones, food, beds, people, etc.  But the fact that Resource Guarding is "normal," doesn't mean we can't make it go away to make the house safer for children and everyone else.

Low-level guarding would be simply stiffening, lowering the head, or eating faster as you walk by the food bowl. Or maybe the dog always takes his chew toys into the crate to enjoy without you around.

If those subtler signs don't make you go away, the dog may escalate to growling, then an air snap or even a bite. The ideal time to get help is when you're just starting to notice the early warning signs given above.

If your dog has bitten and injured someone, or if you feel unsafe around your dog, we recommend that you do a private behavior consultation. If your dog is in the earlier stages of resource guarding, this class (and your hard work) should be enough. 

If your dog or puppy is guarding her possessions, please note that this is NOT something that they will grow out of, but rather a behavior that will get worse over time if you don't work on it.

We do not recommend punishing your dog for guarding, but rather teaching them to happily share with people. That way, the training applies to children and guests, not just the individuals who scared the dog into silence. Punishment for growling can also turn your dog into a ticking time bomb, who no longer gives you warning, but still ends up biting.

In this session, we will go through a series of exercises that you can do to work through your dog's resource guarding. It is meant to be taken once, though you are welcome to repeat it to make sure it all sinks in.

Bring objects of variable value - ideally some that your dog does not guard and some that s/he does (food dish, paper towel roll, ball, other toys...). Bring high value treats, too, so that you can reward good behavior during the session.  You are also welcome to come without your dog, as most of the lesson is for the people.

Confused? Please email info@doggiezen.com or call us at 206-364-4072 if you have any questions about which class(es) would be best for you at Ahimsa Dog Training in Seattle.