Resource Guarding - Food

[corky]

My foster dog, Corky, is a resource guarder. I've had him one week. I keep toys in a toy box when not in use and food is fed in the dogs' kennels and removed after about half an hour. I have two older dogs of my own who are having to adjust to Corky's needs. Here is the problem. Corky's latest trick is to immediately dump all of his dry food out into his kennel when we put it in with him. He only eats a bit of it. After half an hour he and the dish can come out, but then there are lots of "snacks" left behind for anytime he wants to go into the kennel and relax. I wonder if I should be cleaning the dumped food to avoid any dog aggression -- maybe another dog will walk by his snack-filled kennel or even go in it -- and to teach him that I own the food?

[corgipower]

Originally Posted by corky

I wonder if I should be cleaning the dumped food to avoid any dog aggression -- maybe another dog will walk by his snack-filled kennel or even go in it -- and to teach him that I own the food?

I would.

It also should help him learn to eat his meal when it's given, which is a big plus, IMO.

[Dog Connections]

I have adopted an older dog and at first she was not eating very much and had her food all over the floor. She is not guarding though.
You said you dog is a foster. He is probably still under some stress and needs some time to adjust to his new situation. Have you tried adding some yummy food to the kibbles (like canned food) so he is more enticed to eat it.
Also I have found that sitting beside the dog during dinner time helped her relaxed and eat all of her food.

Cleaning up yes I would clean up to avoid a fight. Make sure the dog is getting enough to eat. Under stress some dogs forget to eat or hide their food away.

[Criosphynx]

sounds like he is either being fed too much, doesn't like his food, or hes bored in his crate....but I agree...clean it up

[corky]

He definitely could be stressed. He hasn't been here long. I do believe he is guarding, though. He growls when another dog goes near his kennel and I once caught him gathering up a blanket, bone and toy and then standing over them while growling. Thanks for all of your ideas. He does eat quickly when he gets some soft food, so we'll try mixing the two for a while.

[heartdogs]

If I were you, I would get a copy of Jean Donaldson's book "Mine! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs" and follow the training protocol she outlines.