None of our Labs (Three so far) or our friends Samoyeds have ever done resource guarding. We can feed them side by side and while they might steal another dogs food or toy, it never causes a problem. We have always been able to reach in around a dog bowl without the least concern about being bitten, and we could take treats or toys away from them though we certainly don't make a practice of doing so. My SIL's Plott Hounds can't be feed treats close together, even though they are both free feeders with kibble. Years ago, I had a Malamute, that would guard fresh bones. He would warn me to stay back once we gave him fresh meaty bone. Most other things he did not care enough about to matter. I just wonder how much is breeding and how much is learned behavior. All of our Labs have gotten along well with most other dogs, and always seem to understand the rules of dog play.
Hi @Ski-Patroller Resource guarding has a strong genetic component. There is a saying that reflects that: "Once a resource guarder - always a resource guarder". In such cases there is no cure. No amount of training will eliminate the issue for all time. One manages the resource guarding issue, and attempts to find ways of avoiding triggers. Some percentage of resource guarding is a learned behaviour. I am not aware of any research that attributes percentages to nature and nurture.
Interesting @Ski-Patroller, I have have had 3 Newfie’s and a lab...I have never had a problem with any of them but my malamute was a different can of worms...we used to joke his motto was “ what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine” all of us dogs and humans just left him quietly with his own stuff, therefore never a problem as it was managed. I didn’t try to train it out of him as I don’t think that would ever have been successful...definitely typical to the breed
Resource guarding definitely has a genetic component as there are some breeds of it which are far more predisposed to it than others. However, it is also a learnt behaviour which can be created or prevented through the way we interact with dogs (in terms of human dog resource guarding). Repeatedly taking things off a puppy by opening their mouth and not by teaching a co-operative Drop cue, for example, will tend to create resource guarding...
