Why is my dog suddenly protective of toys?
Leda Block
2025-06-17 20:31:42
Count answers
: 11
Just like us, dogs can become worried if they feel that something they value might be taken away from them. This worry can sometimes lead to guarding behaviour, which is a dog’s way of trying to keep their precious item safe. The main reason for guarding is fear of losing valuable items. Taking things away from your dog as punishment or telling them off for guarding is likely to increase their anxiety about losing things. They may become even more worried and feel the need to protect those valuable things even more. Guarding behaviour can include standing over an item they value, with a very stiff and still posture, lowering their body posture if anyone approaches the item, running away with the item, hiding the item, eating their food or treat very quickly, or growling or showing aggressive behaviour to protect the item.
Breana Kreiger
2025-06-17 20:07:55
Count answers
: 9
Resource guarding is when a dog becomes defensive in order to keep you away from a particular item or resource that they treasure. The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place, like a bed or favourite chair, or occasionally even a person. Resource guarding with toys You can also use the same technique to prevent your dog guarding their toys or chews. 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. By using positive methods your dog will continue to associate you being near their resources with positive things happening, like treats. If your dog is already showing some resource guarding behaviour, it is important to try and stop it from becoming any worse. Make sure all family members and everyone who visits know never to approach or interrupt your dog if they are eating or have a chew. If you do have to remove something from them, make sure it’s an exchange rather than just taking something away.
Jaime Howell
2025-06-17 19:33:36
Count answers
: 15
Dogs are funny creatures. When they find something they love, they’ll love it until there’s nothing left to love. And they’ll protect and guard it completely, whether it’s a well-chewed toy, a bowl of food or a prime sleeping spot in front of the heater. Whatever it is, if it has value to the dog they’ll make sure no one else gets it. It’s important to understand that resource guarding is common canine behavior. It manifests when a dog perceives a threat to their resources and fears they’ll lose what they have. Insecurity is almost always at the root of the problem, and it comes naturally. Resource guarding is a natural trait for survival in the wild. If the dog has learned through experience that it can lose its precious resources if it doesn’t protect them, this behavior will continue.
Read also
- Why is my dog obsessed with a toy all of a sudden?
- How do I stop my dog from toy guarding?
- Why has my dog suddenly become possessive?
- Why is my dog super protective all of a sudden?
- Should dogs have access to toys all the time?
- Do dogs get emotionally attached to toys?
- How do I stop my dog from being territorial over toys?
- What triggers resource guarding in dogs?