Does your puppy steal or guard things? I want to reassure you that its really common and normal! However if its not handled properly then it could develop into what’s know as ‘Resource Guarding’ in your adult dog. Many of these issues develop as a result of a combination of genetics (not much you can do about that once you already have your puppy) and learning/ experiences (this is where your actions can make all the difference). It is therefore a good idea to get proper advice at this early stage so at least your not adding to the chances of it happening.

This information will be mainly relevant for puppies, but it can be applied to all dogs, regardless of their age.  If your dog/ puppy already has issues with regard to guarding, the advice won't hurt but is unlikely to be enough to resolve an established behaviour problem.  Therefore, if your dog has any behavioural issues, please get in touch with me for support (or I can recommend other suitably qualified and experienced professional to help you if you prefer).

What's the issue?

Puppies (and some older dogs, especially those from breeds traditionally used to retrieve/ hunt/ hold things) like to explore the world with their mouths and holding or taking things in their mouth is a normal puppy behaviour. Puppies and dogs have no real concept of what is 'your stuff' and what is 'their stuff' - they do not take your things to try to steal them! Dogs are also opportunistic scavengers so if something is accessible to them they will usually investigate to see if it might be worth eating. Again, this is a normal behaviour. However, if not dealt with correctly, this normal behaviour can lead to serious 'resource guarding' issues which provoke an aggressive response.

What to do

Firstly, try your best to keep things that you don't want your puppy/ dog to touch out reach so that they don't get into the habit of taking them. Secondly, teach them that hands come to give, not to take. If you need to get something from them, exchange it for a nice treat or toy. Teach your puppy how to 'drop' and 'leave' using positive reinforcement (a kind, reward-based method of training) and encourage them to play with their own toys. Ensure they have a variety of toys and chews accessible. Leave your puppy/ dog to eat without interfering but occasionally drop a tasty treat near them when you are passing by.

What to avoid

If you chase your dog/ puppy around to get things from them when they take items you don't want them to have, they often learn that running off with things is a great way of getting you to play with them! You also risk adding value to the stolen item so they want it all the more in the future. Cornering your dog/ dragging them out of a hiding place/ punishing/ forcibly removing items from your puppy's mouth should all be avoided, unless it is a genuine emergency (ie. they have something deadly poisonous in their mouth). This response often leads to defensive behaviour from the dog as the person is perceived as a threat. This results in increasingly aggressive behaviour such as growling or snapping. Sometimes puppies will even swallow the item when they feel threatened. Avoid interfering with your pup's food/ bowl or taking things from them in an attempt to prevent problems developing - this has now been shown to be much more likely to cause problems, not prevent them, longer term.

I hope this helps!

If you do want more advice from a professional dog trainer then get in touch below

Claire x