I'd love to hear more about Beignet's guarding if you feel like sharing.
Peggy's had four guarding episodes that have crossed the line from "please maybe consider not taking this treasure" into "GRRRRRR MINE." And the last two made me worry it's escalating, perhaps due to her age (she's almost 11 months),
She is off-the-charts smart compared to every other dog I've trained, and I do think this makes her more challenging in some ways. We use primarily positive reinforcement techniques so I'd really love to hear more about your experience!
Beignet's "guarding" episodes are more about guarding territories, or areas of the house, especially when someone (my husband or almost anyone else) is walking by him, especially when they are carrying something. He tends to leap forward, barking, growling and snapping at thighs.
What we are currently doing about it is trying to use commands like "sit" , "down" or other things that he knows well to distract him from doing this and have him revert to obeying his command instead. Since his obedience commands are pretty much cemented in his behavior he tends to obey the command most of the time, but sometimes it doesn't work. It takes a lot of effort and foresight.
The other approach that my trainer recommended is using a plastic bottle with pennies in it and shaking it to snap him out of it. That also works but I dont usually have the bottle with me all the time so that is harder.
Don't know if this will help at all but it's our little challenge with Beignet . He's super smart like your baby but can be a handful too! 😜🐩
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