Animal Emotions and Resource Guarding

with Nancy Reyes

Animal emotions are often overlooked in working with resource guarding. It is an emotionally charged problem for both human and dog. The emphasis will be on resource guarding as it occurs in the human/dog context. We will discuss what characteristics in the animal are predictors of resource guarding and how they play a part in working this problem. Understanding when and why the dog feels the need to guard anything and how confidence and anxiety play a part in resource guarding will also be covered. Resource guarding exists when the presence of a resource triggers a different response to being approached than when there is no resource present. In working with resource guarding we look for what caused the shift in the animals feeling about the situation, the degree of the shift and how it gets resolved. The focus with be on how to restore the dog back to a sense of balance. Discussion and video will help trainers, resource workers and breeders in working with families with resource guarding dogs and offer prevention techniques. If we understand how things are affecting the dog, then we can make wise choices on changes that need to be made or how we can help.

Learning Objectives:

Develop understanding of:

• Why dog’s resource guard from humans

• How to recognize the triggers

• How emotions of both human and dog play a part

• How family dynamics impact this complex behavioral issue

• How to help change the dog’s feelings about the desired object/person.

Presenter Information:

Nancy Reyes is the owner of For Your K9, Inc. Melrose Park, IL and has been training dogs for over 20 years.  Her training philosophy is focused on developing and strengthening the bond between people and their dogs.  She believes that good communication and mutual respect are key to the success of any relationship.  Her approach is based on Suzanne Clothier’s Relationship Centered Training. 

Her working relationship with Suzanne has expanded over the years into working on the temperament program Suzanne developed for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  This program provides a way to test dogs in order to determine their individual characteristics.  While working on this project, Nancy has conducted temperament testing for a variety of litters and rescues in the Midwest.  She is also working on the longitudinal comparisons for the dogs previously tested.

Nancy has also donated much of her time to working with various rescues in the Midwest providing training and evaluation assistance as well as fostering dogs in her home.

Nancy received her B.S. from Park College in 1990 while serving her country in the United States Air Force. During her time in the service she worked in Washington, D.C. as an International Liaison Specialist.

She lives in Chicago with her husband, Gonzalo, and their 7 dogs which range from Miniature Pinscher’s to a German Shepherd.  She trains and competes her dogs in agility, obedience, rally and K9 Nose Work.

 

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs)

• CCPDT: 1.5 CEUs
• IAABC: 1.5 CEUs
• KPA: 1.5 CEUs
• IACP: 1.5 CEUs
• CAWA: 1.5 CEUs

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