How do you all handle situations when your dogs are returned for exhibiting some owner guarding behavior in the home- specifically guarding the owner from the resident dogs?
Recently my shelter has had an increase of dogs being returned for this issue and I'm trying to navigate how to interpret this behavior and offer counseling--if safe to set the dog back up. I am familiar with this behavior and understand it can be resolved as the dogs get used to each other in the home, but I am finding it hard to create verbiage to counsel adopters on this.
The three dogs I've had returned this week with this issue, were not in the homes for very long (less than 2 weeks). We communicate the 3, 3,3 rule at time of adoption, but understandably having guarding/"jealousy" issues with a new dog towards your resident dog can be stressful to have in your home so people return them.
The specific case I am struggling with is a dog who has done phenomenal in our playgroups and did great with the resident dog in the home he was adopted to. However, this dog would get in between the children and the resident dog and body block and growl at resident dog. Again, does great with dog otherwise and does great with children, but is guarding them. I am struggling to find verbiage to set him up for success without giving several barriers to a successful adoption (i.e. recommending no kids or recommending no dogs).
Any insight or tools would be appreciated!
#AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement)#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment------------------------------
Sarah Reida
Behavior Department Manager
Kansas Humane Society
Wichita KS
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