Standard Prevention Exercises for All Non-Guarding Dogs and Puppies
Approach dog while eating and add bonus to dish – something much more palatable than his food. Approach from all angles and at different points in meal and get others to do likewise. Hide bonus and add from pocket, pouch or behind your back so it is not “previewed.” If dog okay, remove bowl to add bonus and then give back.
This exercise is also a maintenance spot check for former guarders.
Signs of Guarding
•
Accelerated eating
•
Cessation of eating/”freezing up”
•
Glassy or hard eyes
•
Growling
•
Lip lifting
•
Snapping
•
Biting
Rehab Exercise 1
1) At mealtime, put down empty food dish
2) Approach dog and empty dish and add a few pieces of kibble
3) Withdraw and repeat until entire meal fed in this manner
4) If dog guards, end meal-time: “too bad”
5) Feed 2-3 meals this way
6) On 4
th meal, gradually begin to reduce the time between approaches and
increase the amount of kibble per installment so that overlap develops: dog is
eating while you re-fill
7) When you have reached the point that you are giving meal in 2-3 installments
without any guarding, switch to bonus-addition, as per prevention instructions
above (adding bonus while eating and removing bowl to add bonus)
Rehab Exercise 2
1) Approach dog while eating to “safety distance” (pre-guarding distance) and flip
bonus at bowl (don’t worry about accuracy), repeating several times in a row
2) Do this for 2-3 meals
3) On 4
th meal, decrease distance slightly after first flip
4) If successful (no guarding), continue gradually decreasing distance until you can
approach bowl and drop bonus in
5) Switch to prevention exercises
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no refunds after the start of first class.
If you miss a class, makeup classes will be available in the next session of the class. Please call ahead to make arrangements. 1 missed class per session for makeup unless otherwise arranged with trainer, 3 months allowed to complete any makeups.
We reserve the right to refuse admission to any person or Dog.
We will evaluate for possible aggression and work with you toward the goal of being able to have your dog in class if there is a problem.
There are no stated or implied guarantees, as the success of your training depends on how much work you do on your own time and how well you follow your trainer's instructions.