It is no surprise that people are distraught and perplexed when their otherwise lovely dog behaves in ways they deem egregious, specifically when they growl at or bite people. A gentleman with a 3 year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Lido, contacted me regarding his dog’s tendency to growl at him.... Read more

Some dogs, like people, learn to live by the code that what is theirs is theirs and what is yours is theirs as well. Resource guarding exists because the dog sees a vital resource and is attempting to keep it for himself. It also exists because it is, in... Read more

Resource guarding can be described as the propensity of some dogs to attempt to maintain possession of or guard particular things they consider of value (i.e. resources). These can include, but are not limited to food bowls, toys, territory, and people. Dogs displaying guarding issues will often freeze, growl... Read more

A couple of months ago I received an email from someone who was very frustrated that her 1 ½ year-old Yorkshire Terrier was growling and lunging at some (OK, many!) dogs they passed on the street. According to this woman, the behavior started when the dog was about a... Read more