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Working w Blind Dogs, Part 2 — dealing with resource guarding!
This past Monday, I shared a link to a wonderful article about working with blind dogs. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a link: ???? https://iaabcjournal.org/blind-dogs/
The first installment of this article included info about the benefits of using a scented towel first, to introduce a dog to another unknown dog, whether the dog is blind or sighted. (Helena, the blind dog, has some reactivity issues with unknown dogs.)
➡ You can click here to access Part 1 of this article. ⬅
Another issue Helena had was resource guarding. Micaela talks about trading up with high-value food so Helena is happy to let go of the resource. But she also discusses the importance of taking the time and respecting the dog’s body language when we have to remove a resource from the dog.
Sure, we can be sneaky about snatching away the resource while a blind (or sighted) dog is eating a treat, but that does nothing to build relaxation and a willingness to let go of things in the first place. The idea of delivering several staggered treats, in the presence of the resource that’s already been dropped by the dog, gives us the chance to observe shifts in the dog’s behavior and body language around that resource. Micaela shares a great video of this within the article.
How do you think paying closer attention to a dog’s subtle body language will minimize stress when working with resource guarding in sighted dogs as well?
What changes in Helena’s behavior and body language indicate it’s a good time to remove the resource?
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