So we were at our friends on nye and gave arnie a pigs ear, he's had plenty before, there were 2 large dogs there also. I went to take it off of him and he growled quite badly (he usually growls when we play tug of war and this growing was something else!) we took the ear off him. Tonight we have given him another ear and this time it was the same behaviour. Ears back, growling, wagging tail. When we go to take it off him he doesn't go for us he just tries to gobble the ear down as quickly as possible. He doesn't show this behaviour with any other toy/treat/food ect. I really don't want this to become as issue as my sister has just had a baby so soon enough there will be a toddler running around. Needless to say the pigs ear is now gone. Am I right in thinking this is resource guarding? If so how can we nip this in the bud immediately? Many thanks as always xx


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I would not give him any more, unless i is just him and you home alone. They should not be a everyday treat anyway too much fat in them, but...that is what makes them so good.

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Ike born Aug 15 2012

They have been binned! I'm so worried this behaviour may tip over into other treats ect. I'm not sure if its because he gets it as an occasional treat whereas there's always a bully stick lying around for him so its not a big thing for him to go and chew on a stick compared to dn ear! It's weird that it started on the night where there were other dogs around. It's never been an issue before


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Rico has a special growl--like a warning growl--that only comes when he has a freash bone. Of someone get near him when he has this....grrrr...... He doesn't dare do it to me, and I can take anything at any time and he is good I held him firmly on the back and told him NO when he did this. I only give him the bone on the very rare occassion and I wouldn't give him one if i was expecting company. Just keep reminding him that he is not in charge...

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Rubia -y mi perrito que Rico

Definitely some resource guarding. Stella did this recently when I gave her a duck foot. Whenever I was near her, she'd turn her body away, she tensed when I touched her, and actually growled when I put my hand on the chew.

What I did was grabbed a different high value treat, then while she was chewing, I said "drop it" while holding the new treat near her nose. While she was eating the other treat, she really didn't care that I was taking the duck foot away. Then I'd repeat - I gave it back to her, then asked her to drop it again. Now I can say it from across the room and she'll actually drop whatever she's doing and come over to me.

I hope this helps you!

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Definately teach him drop it. After you take it away make sure you give it back to him after a minute so he doesn't think drop it means he'll never get it back. Then repeat!

Unfortunately I have this problem with my dog but my training isn't too sucessful. She tries to hold on to the chew AND grab the treat in her mouth at the same time. Its so adorable but bad for training.

I am training drop it as well. Bully sticks are a special treat around here because they smell funny. They are only allowed in the bathrooms, not on carpet, so when I shower he gets one. (or a greasy bone, etc)

When he is given the stick he gets to chew it for a bit then we practice drop it. He gets it back of course and has it the rest of the time.