Resource Guarding – “Mine!”, Says the Shiba Inu (2024)

FAQs

Is a Shiba Inu a good guard dog? ›

Breeds of all sizes can make excellent watchdogs, including Shiba Inus, as long as they have an alert nature. On the other hand, a guard dog is often large in size and physically imposing.

Sequester dogs in different rooms during mealtimes to prevent food aggression. Consistently reward good behavior and never punish dogs for “bad” behavior. For example, if there are squabbles at bedtime, assign each dog a bed and train them to go there on cue, rewarding each successful action with a treat.

It only matters what they think might be a threat to their items. Dogs are responding to the trigger, not the actual action. This is one reason why resource guarding is problematic and potentially dangerous behavior in a pet.

Resource guarding with toys

When your dog is settled with their chew or toy, place a few treats down on the floor near to where they are lying and give them the opportunity to leave the resource to take them. Move away as they do so, then approach them again and put down another treat nearby.

Resource guarding training is vital to ensure your dog's behavior doesn't escalate and become worse. As soon as you notice that your dog is resource guarding, you should begin training. By addressing the issue early on, you're more likely to successfully break your dog of the habit.

This may include a stiffened body, a hardened face and glaring stare, whale eye or wide eyes, lifting lips and teeth baring, and low growling or snarling. All occur while the dog has a possession. In many cases, resource guarding is manageable. There is no guarantee that your dog will ever stop resource guarding.

Some breeds or cross breeds show a high prevalence of resource guarding behaviours, with co*cker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and Poodle crosses (predominantly Labradoodles and co*ckerpoos) being those I most frequently see with human-directed guarding behaviours.

As a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, even mild resource guarding and touch sensitivity in puppies are concerning to me. These aggressive behaviors as well as other fear-related behaviors do not improve with age. Instead, they worsen with maturity and in severe cases, could lead to a bite towards a family member.

Why would a dog suddenly start resource guarding? ›

They put their leftover energy and effort into guarding toys or food. In turn, they become overly fond of these possessions, which leads to further resource guarding. Conflict: This is the most common reason for resource guarding, and it stems from food or object dominance.

The Dog Calming Code™ is an online dog training program designed to establish a calm and harmonious relationship between you and your furry friend. It focuses on building effective communication through calm-assertive leadership, managing your dog's energy levels, and engaging their minds with mental stimulation.

In many cases, food guarding doesn't need to be treated. Plenty of pet parents with food-guarding dogs simply take reasonable precautions to ensure everyone's safety. They leave their dogs alone while they're eating, or they might even feed their dogs in a separate room, in a crate or behind a barrier.

2. Resource Guarding. Hand feeding can help a dog who is already a resource guarder and help prevent a dog from resource guarding. By only feeding your dog from your hand, you show her that you are the gateway to valuable things and when you reach into her space it means food.

Some dogs will resource guard particular people in the house and may only guard them in certain locations. For example, it is common for toy breeds to guard their person's lap.

Territorial Instincts

They often form strong attachments to their living spaces and can become protective of their environment. This territorial nature can be an advantage when it comes to guarding your home. Shiba Inus are more likely to defend their territory and the people within it if they perceive a threat.

Shibas think that everything, including food, toys, the house, the neighborhood, and even their supposed owners, belong to them. If not properly handled, many Shiba Inus, and indeed dogs in general can get aggressive about guarding their resources. Shibas are bred to be guard dogs so they have a strong guard instinct.