Odd behavior - Protective over slipper? Or pain??

[rockyusmc2003]

Question for you guys...

My puppy has been with us since she was 2 months old, she is now 11 months and did something very disturbing last night. Normally she is super happy, she is great with my daughter (who is 5, and actually is very gentle with her).

Last night she sat at the bottom of the stairs, almost right on top of my wife's slipper. At first I didn't think anything of it, but she never got up or moved. Normally, if I walk past, she is like my shadow. So I bent down to see what her deal was, and she slightly began growling and almost protecting the slipper. So I ignored it, and went to watch TV. However, she stayed there for another couple of hours and then did the same to my wife.

I eventually got her upstairs to sleep in her crate, but it was very unlike her. If I go to bed, she comes right in and goes to sleep in her crate. Also, she hasn't had her first heat yet, or so I think? We never saw bleeding or anything. Fear not, she is scheduled to get spayed in October. Could it be she was in pain? She was fine this morning, and seemed normal again. But, I am concerned.

Any input? Thanks

[michele5611]

Sounds like resource guarding to me....as soon as I get a chance I will try and give you the links to some posts/articles.

[RealPitBull]

Sounds like resource guarding.

Here's an excellent write-up on resource guarding and how to handle it.

ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/resource-guarding/

[rockyusmc2003]

Thanks for the links!

You all think this is an isolated incident because of a fuzzy slipper? She is very passive with us when it comes to her food and toys. Typically, I have my hand in/bye her mouth when she brings me a ball to throw, and I never have any problems. We also conditioned her to let us touch her food while she was eating.

I never even seen her play with this slipper before. I am hoping it's just resource guarding. Would this be something a dog would do when they are in pain? That is what I initially thought since she didn't follow me.

Thanks again!

Nick

[RealPitBull]

No, it really sounds like resource guarding to me.

[rockyusmc2003]

Thanks! I eliminated the slippers last night. I hope that is her only trigger. We never seen it happen with anything else.

[tank]

I didn't read what that link said but maybe for the future you can teach her to "leave it." When my dog was younger and started guarding bones we used that command and rewarded her with something better and took whatever she was guarding away until she could behave with it.

[adoptapitbull]

And also, it's not a breed specific trait. Any and all breeds can exhibit resource guarding behavior.

I know sometimes you can tell someone the problem and they can say, "Well that's what you get when you get one of those Pit Bulls!" and you can then tell them that it is NOT exclusive to Pit Bulls.

There's a RG book out there called, "Mine!" I've not read it myself, though I know that people do recommend it. Here's a link: www.amazon.com/Mine-Practical-Guide-Resource-Guarding/dp/0970562942

I had an Aussie with mild RG once. Unfortunately he passed before we had much time to work with him on it.

[loverocksalot]

When Rocky showed some guarding I worked hard on the leave it command. Then I gave him the marrow bone or bully stick or what ever it is he guarded. first I would spend many days trading with something good like peanut butter so he would safely give it up later I held it while he chewed it every once in a while I pretended to chew it. Petted him while he chewed etc. Many of the things i did came from internet articles and ideas from forum members. The guarding pretty much went away being able to put hand in food and take away treasures. However have to keep up with it or he can slip back testing the waters. Definitely work on the leave it command and see if you can offer a trade for the slipper.