Resource guarding
Growling or snapping over food, toys, the sofa or a person.
Resource guarding, where a dog stiffens or growls over food, a toy or even a person, is normal dog behaviour that can become a problem in a busy household. It is best handled early and calmly, and never by punishing the growl, which only teaches the dog to skip the warning.
Read up on resource guarding
- Article Why Punishment-Based Dog Training Backfires Punishment-based dog training can suppress growls and mask fear, raising bite risk. See why reward-based methods are the safer standard for Singapore dogs.
- Article The 5 Behaviour Problems Singapore Dog Owners Ask About Most A hub guide to Singapore's five most common dog behaviour problems: barking, resource guarding, separation anxiety, lift lobby reactivity and leash pulling.
- Article Tug of War in an HDB Flat: Is It Safe for Your Dog? Tug of war will not make your dog aggressive when played with rules, but hard floors, tight corridors, and puppies need a Singapore-specific approach.
Trainers who help with resource guarding
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