Ep. 232: Is Your Dog Actually Resource Guarding?

In this episode, Tara and Laura break down the difference between reactivity & aggression. They explain some of the different types of aggression and reactivity and how they can progress. They also cover how these behaviors can develop in a dog, how humans play a role in these behaviors, the dog's side of these behaviors, and the genetic end. This episode serves as a baseline for our subscription episode that goes into much more depth about this topic.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

How is a pack of females different than any other pack? Tara and Laura explain the challenges that can arise when there is more than one female in a pack, the behaviors to monitor, and how to manage the pack properly to keep everyone safe. Females are more likely to challenge other females, including their owners, so it is important to understand the proper communication and for you to be the protector of the whole pack.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

In this episode, Laura and Tara will be discussing a serious topic that affects the well-being and behavior of our beloved pets - the use of cruel punishment tools during dog training. While the intention may be to correct behavior, it's essential to understand the long-term negative impact these tools can have on our domestic canine friends.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Are you comparing your dogs to each other? Tara and Laura work through the problems with comparisons between current dogs or current and past dogs within a pack and how it can break down bonds, bring about regrets, or build unfair expectations. Every dog has has their own personality and, to be fair to the dog and the human, should be given the opportunity to have their own path without judgement.

This episode is a re-release that goes back and delves deep into the controversial world of human-made tools used for dog training and exploring their potential negative effects on the human-canine relationship. Tara and Laura navigate through the eithical dilemmas and unintended consequences of relying on technology and gadgets rather than the fundamental bond between humans and dogs.

Is your dog challenging you on purpose or is there a reason they only listen to one person in the house? Tara and Laura debunk why many dogs in multi-owner households may see that their dog listens more or walks better for one owner and not the other. They also explain how owners can make this worse and how you can help your dog and possibly even your partner.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

How do you know when you are ready to adopt another dog? Tara and Laura discuss ways that a person can know if they are ready to adopt their first dog, add another dog into the pack, or adopt a dog after losing a pack member. There is no rush, because our dogs deserve the most from us and we have to make sure we are ready and able to give them what they need.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Is your dog ready for the holiday season? Tara and Laura remind owners to start now prepping their dogs for the holiday season. This includes preparing for holiday decor, guests, travel, and more during a time that is usually very stressful for everyone involved. Don't wait until the last minute! Prep your dogs now, expose them, and be fair with your expectations based on what you have practiced.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Should your puppy be allowed to get excited and/or socialize in public? Tara and Laura work through the importance of balancing proper social skills, teaching your puppy expections, and also allowing your puppy time to have fun. They explain the different expectations for puppies depending on the future goals/jobs their handler has in mind and how that can influence their time in social settings.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Is your dog resource guarding or showing a completely different behavior? Tara and Laura go over the ways that resource guarding gets mislabeled and overused to explain a dog's behavior. These inaccurate labels can cause owners to be treating the wrong problem, not see a positive change, or even make the behavior worse. It is important to know if your dog is actually resource guarding or if you are seeing a completely different behavior that needs to be addressed instead.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman