Puppies are energetic, cute and fun to be around. However, they can also be destructive and annoying when they guard their toys.
That is why it is important for owners to know how to stop puppy from guarding toys. The following tips will help you with this situation:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Understand the reasons behind your puppy’s toy guarding behavior. |
| Implement positive reinforcement training techniques to address and modify the behavior. |
| Gradually introduce others to your puppy’s toy and teach them that it’s safe to approach without aggression. |
| Provide appropriate alternatives and diversions to redirect your puppy’s attention from guarding behaviors. |
| Seek professional help if the guarding behavior persists or escalates despite your efforts. |
Remove the Toy
The first step is to remove the toy. Don’t give it back until your puppy is calm, as they’re more likely to guard it again if you try to take it away in an agitated state.
Make sure not to force the puppy or punish them for guarding their toy, as this could make them feel nervous and anxious around new people or other pets.
Instead of trying to physically pry a toy from a dog’s mouth, try distracting him with something else instead a treat or another fun activity will often do the trick!
If you’re wondering how much a Bichon puppy weighs, our comprehensive guide on Bichon puppy weight provides all the information you need. Understanding their weight can help you address various aspects of their development and behavior, including toy guarding tendencies.
Feed Meals in the Toy
One way to stop your puppy from guarding toys is by feeding meals in the toy. When you give your puppy its food, place it inside a toy and let it eat from there.
This way, your puppy will learn that the toy is not the source of its food but rather just a place where it can get some extra fun while eating.
This method works well with any type of dog but especially small dogs that like to play with their food or puppies who are still learning how to eat properly (they may be eating out of an inappropriate place).
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Kong Classic | Stuffing a Kong Classic toy with your puppy’s meal or treats to provide mental stimulation and reward. |
| Busy Buddy Twist ‘n Treat | Filling the Busy Buddy Twist ‘n Treat toy with your puppy’s food to encourage active feeding. |
| West Paw Toppl | Using the West Paw Toppl toy as a food puzzle by filling it with your puppy’s meal or treats. |
| PetSafe Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble | Dispensing your puppy’s kibble from the PetSafe Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble toy for interactive feeding. |
| Brand-Specific Food Toys | Exploring brand-specific food toys designed to dispense meals or treats for mealtime enrichment. |
Give Toys Randomly
At first, your puppy may guard the toy to prevent you from taking it away. However, as long as you continue to play with them and give a treat after they let you take the toy, they’ll soon learn that letting go of their prized possession isn’t so bad after all.
This is an important step in your training plan because guarding objects can lead to aggression if left unchecked. It also teaches your dog that toys are meant for playing with and don’t have any special meaning outside of this context. If your pup starts guarding his favorite toy again later on in life, simply return him back to square one by playing keep-away again and rewarding him with treats when he lets go!
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Play With The Toy
If your puppy is guarding the toy, try to get them to release it by offering the toy to them and praising them when they take it. This can be done with a treat in your hand or just by saying “take it”. You can also offer the toy for playtime between you and your puppy.
Get creative with how you use this time together; keep things interesting by alternating toys, hiding them behind objects or placing them in different locations around the house (under sofa cushions) so that your puppy has to work harder to find them.
If they start to guard their new found treasure again, ignore it! A quick distraction like tossing another one of his/her favourite toys in its direction should do the trick!
Overall, try not to encourage guarding behaviour by playing tug-of-war games or other interactions where he/she might growl when losing control over something he/she wants but cannot have right now (like food).
These games may make matters worse because they reward aggressive behaviour with attention from you which reinforces his/her bad habits even more!
Trade for a Treat
To stop your puppy from guarding toys, you can trade for a treat. This means you offer him his favorite toy and in exchange he gives you the treat.
You want to use a high value treat that is more appealing than your puppy’s toy. A piece of chicken is usually a good option as well as some peanut butter or cheese (depending on the size and age of your puppy).
The important part of this method is not giving up too easily. If your puppy doesn’t seem interested in trading with you after several tries, try offering him something even higher value than what he already has if possible!
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Treat Trade | Offering a tasty treat as an exchange for the toy your puppy is holding or guarding. |
| Kong Swap | Replacing the toy with a stuffed Kong toy filled with treats or peanut butter. |
| Out with a Chew | Giving your puppy a high-value chew item in return for letting go of the toy. |
| Toy Tradeoff | Providing a different toy that your puppy finds equally or more enticing. |
| Brand Name Reward Program | Participating in brand-specific reward programs that offer treats or toy exchanges. |
Add New Toys to the Mix
If your puppy guards one specific toy, then you should try adding a new toy to the mix. This will help to change the toy that your puppy guards. If you can’t get a new toy, wash it and let it dry before giving it back to your puppy.
Need guidance on how to tie out a puppy safely and effectively? Our easy guide on tying out a puppy provides step-by-step instructions and tips. Proper training and management techniques play a crucial role in addressing behaviors like toy guarding.
Train Your Puppy to Drop instead of Guarding
To train your puppy to drop toys instead of guarding them, begin by rewarding the puppy for dropping a toy. Pick up the toy and offer it to the dog, then reward him or her with a treat when he or she drops it.
Continue doing this until your pup understands that you are offering an opportunity to play with a toy, but first he or she must drop it. Then repeat with another toy that you don’t want to be guarded, before finally moving on to toys that you do want your pooch guarding.
Next, start playing games where you ask your pup for something (like “drop”), then reward him or her when they comply (with treats, praise etc.).
When he’s mastered those games with one toy at a time (like fetch), try incorporating others into playtime as well until two toys are being played fetch at once!
If at any point your dog guards either of these new toys while they’re in his mouth instead of dropping them so both can continue playing together go back through step #1 again until he gets it right.”
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Positive Reinforcement | Rewarding your puppy with treats or praise when they willingly drop a toy instead of guarding it. |
| Trade Method | Exchanging the toy your puppy is guarding for a more desirable item, encouraging them to drop it willingly. |
| Toy Rotation | Introducing a variety of toys to your puppy and regularly swapping them to reduce possessiveness and guarding. |
| “Leave It” Command | Teaching your puppy the “leave it” command to release and let go of a toy upon command. |
| Professional Training Classes | Enrolling your puppy in professional training classes or working with a certified dog trainer for guidance. |
Use a Kong to Stop Puppy From Guarding Toys
Kong is a brand of dog toy that comes in many different shapes and sizes. Kongs are made from natural rubber, which is great for puppies because it’s non-toxic, but also durable and doesn’t easily break apart.
Most Kongs have an inner compartment that you can fill with treats or other goodies (like peanut butter or yogurt) so your puppy can work for his meal.
If you give your puppy a frozen Kong filled with peanut butter, he’ll need to work hard at licking out the contents and licking takes longer than chowing down on something cold! This means that he’ll be less likely to chase after the teacup while you’re trying to drink it!
Looking for safe and homemade toy options for your puppy? Check out our comprehensive guide on making safe homemade dog toys. Offering a variety of toys can help divert their attention from guarding behaviors while providing mental stimulation and entertainment.
Get Busy With Other Activities
It is not recommended that you play with your puppy when she is guarding toys. If you do, it will reinforce that guarding is a good thing and that your dog can use this behavior to get what she wants from you.
If your pup snatches a toy from another dog, don’t give it back or try to take the toy away from her.
This will also reinforce her guarding behavior by teaching her that she can guard something and get away with it as long as there are no consequences for doing so.
Do not attempt to distract your puppy when she guards toys because this may cause her to associate the action of guarding with getting what she wants (usually attention).
It may also make the situation worse if the distraction causes her anger level to increase even more than before since now both people are distracting her instead of just one person trying to take away her prized possession
If you’re looking to improve your dog’s behavior overall, our easy guide to enhancing your dog’s behavior offers practical tips and techniques. Addressing behavioral issues holistically can contribute to minimizing tendencies like guarding toys.
Conclusion
We’ve given you some great tips and tricks to help you stop your puppy from guarding toys. We hope that they have been helpful!
Please let us know if these methods worked for you or if you have any other ideas on how we can improve our content.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on resource guarding in dogs:
Resource Guarding in Dogs – Raw Bistro: Raw Bistro’s blog post provides insights into resource guarding behavior in dogs and offers tips on how to manage and address it effectively.
Resource Guarding in Dogs – Preventive Vet: Preventive Vet offers a comprehensive article on resource guarding in dogs, discussing the causes, signs, and strategies to prevent and manage this behavior.
Resource Guarding: Food and Toys – Dogs Trust: Dogs Trust provides advice specifically on resource guarding related to food and toys. This resource offers practical guidance on understanding and addressing resource guarding behaviors.
FAQs
What is resource guarding in dogs?
Resource guarding refers to a dog’s behavior of protecting and defending valuable resources, such as food, toys, or specific areas, from others. It can involve growling, snarling, or even aggressive behavior to maintain control over the resource.
Why do dogs exhibit resource guarding behavior?
Dogs may display resource guarding behavior due to instincts, fear, previous experiences, or a lack of proper socialization. They may perceive a threat to their resources and try to assert control to maintain possession.
How can I prevent resource guarding in my dog?
To prevent resource guarding, ensure proper socialization from an early age, use positive reinforcement training methods, and gradually expose your dog to various situations involving resources. Teaching them to associate positive experiences with others being near their resources can help minimize guarding tendencies.
How should I handle a dog that resource guards?
Handling a dog that resource guards requires a careful approach. It’s crucial to prioritize safety and consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can provide guidance on behavior modification techniques, desensitization exercises, and management strategies tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
Can resource guarding in dogs be resolved?
Yes, resource guarding behavior can be resolved or managed effectively with appropriate training and behavior modification techniques. Working with a professional can help create a personalized plan to address the underlying causes and modify the dog’s response to resource-related situations.
I’m Dr. Hellen James, a professional veterinarian with a deep interest in the ways that litter size affects the health of animals. I’ve spent years studying this subject and performing research on reproduction in many different kinds of creatures.
