Trying To Fix Before It's Broken

[MonicanHonda]

So I gave Remy her kong today with a new treat in it and I went to grab it to see how much she had eaten and she growled at me. She didn't snap or anything. But I couldn't be for sure if she was growling because she thought I was playing with her or because she's becoming food aggressive. So I figured I would get all your tips on how to handle a food aggression problem before it becomes a problem. I sat on the floor and would slowly take the treat away, make her sit, say good girl, give it to her while I'm still holding it and petting her. She only growled about twice and she was fine the rest of the time. I did it for about fifteen minutes. I would say no when she growled and she got scared immediately and backed away.

"I forgot to add that she is a very vocal dog when with toys. She growls a lot at her toys. So I just want to know your opinions on this too."

[happylabs]

It is hard to say. Was Remy wagging her tail? My Lab Casey does a play growl thing when we try to get her toys.

[MonicanHonda]

I do not believe so. And she tenses up. Which I know probably leans more towards not playing....

[Giselle]

I hesitate to call behavior "aggression" nowadays.

Here's the most clear term for it: She's resource guarding. Most dogs resource guard to a certain degree. It's an inherent behavior that all animals possess, even humans ;)

Simplest way to cure resource guarding is to teach the dog to "trade up":
- Give the dog a low value treat or toy. Let dog mouth it.
- Hold a high value treat in front of dog's nose.
- Dog will try to grab the high value treat. When the dog loosens its grip on the LOW value treat/toy, grab it while simultaneously feeding the high value treat.
- Repeat repeat repeat repeat.
- Eventually, add the cue "Give".
Over time and many many repetitions later, you can fade the high value treat and simply use the word "Give". But do NOT skip to this until your dog knows the behavior down pat.

[MonicanHonda]

Thank you. I like that idea. And it'll definitely work with her. She's verrrrrrry food driven.