Can't We All Just Get Along? How to Teach Your Dogs to Share Toys, Attention, and Food

Q: We recently adopted a second dog from the shelter. The two get along fine most of the time, until the new dog attempts to play with a toy belonging to our first dog. She growls and lunges at him — a behavior we've never seen her exhibit. Why is she not letting him play with her dog toys, and what can we do about it?

Dog-to-dog resource guarding is a normal survival instinct. It usually has to do with rank. To determine the best course of action, it would be helpful to know the breed, age, and any other "triggers" that incite aggression.

Do the dogs only fight over high-value items — bones, rawhides, pig ears, antlers — or human attention, sleeping areas, and food? Have there been significant puncture wounds? Pay attention to body language: a hard stare or stiffened body means the dog is ready to strike. Prior to your new dog's arrival, was your first dog around other canines with toys on the ground? In your case, she is exhibiting a behavior called resource guarding.

How do you fix the problem? Sometimes we can fix it; other times we only manage it. Due to factors like owner compliance, size of dog, and safety, we may recommend the dogs not live together. But let's first try desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques that curtail dog-to-dog resource guarding. The goal is to teach the guarding dog that when the new dog enters the room, good things will happen!

I recommend you work with a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or veterinary behaviorist who understands how to use positive reinforcement. Start by being proactive with management — do not allow the dogs to practice this behavior. Management includes keeping a leash on (never unattended), muzzles, baby gates, picking up toys, and playing with only one dog at a time. Lowering the value of the toys can also help decrease aggression.

Pay Attention to Body Language

It's vital to train your dogs to move to another room on cue, come on an emergency recall, and hold a down-stay. Whenever you sense trouble, call the dog that listens best. Training each dog separately to "retrieve and drop" will help them learn to share!

I've had success teaching the non-guarding dog to move away when the guarding dog approaches a favorite toy, which teaches the guarder that the new dog's presence is not a threat. You can also teach your guarding dog to perform a different behavior when she feels threatened — like going to another room to chew her toy!