Do you have one of these dogs that is very active and is always bursting with energy? Does your dog never seem satisfied and exhausted no matter what activity you do together? Do you find yourself constantly looking for more and new exercises to do with your dog? More puzzle toys, interactive toys, games to play, sports to take on with your dog, etc…..

Let me tell you, your dog does NOT NEED all of this all the time. Your dog needs to learn to relax and to be bored. Non-stop stimulation can actually create an addiction because it gives the dog a dopamine rush every time they engage in that activity, especially when it is a very pleasant one. In the human world, we would call this “Adrenaline junkie”. With always more and more, you will turn your dog into an individual who is never satisfied. Their brain is under constant stimulation, which will cause desensitization, which will make your dog seek more intense dopamine rushes. Another great example from the human world is the addiction to being constantly glued to a phone screen or social media. Have you ever tried not to pick up your phone for a couple of hours outside from the time you are asleep? Don’t check the weather, social media, or the news. It is difficult.
The only way to curb this addiction is by teaching your dog to relax, aka being bored. Exercises that help with that are “Place-Stay “ and “Down-Stay” and doing that for at least one hour and not just a couple minutes. Nothing to chew on, neither a toy nor a treat chew, just being calm and relaxed. This will reset your dog’s brain to actually be able to enjoy activities again instead of always seeking for the next thrill. 

First, what is resource guarding? Resource guarding is a behavior where a dog aggressively defends something it values, like food, toys, or even a person, because it has a need to possess something, has a more dominant personality, or has experienced insufficient supplies of said resource. 
Resource guarding is often linked to protecting food or toys, but it can also extend to a specific person. This means your dog might show signs of possessiveness or aggression when it comes to you or another family member. 
The first two situations can often be managed easily by controlling the resources and not giving the dog the need to feel that it has to defend that resource. Resource guarding over a person can be a bit trickier and usually has a couple of different reasons, but I will do my best to help you to understand them. 
In almost all cases where a dog is resource guarding a person, the dog sees the person as an item to possess. How does this happen? This can happen when the roles between the dog and the owner aren’t clear or the owner has not imposed any clear structure and rules in the relationship with the dog. While we all see our dog as our best friend, very rarely do they grasp the concept of friendship, they all operate more on a level of one being the leader and the other one being led. All dogs are pack animals; a pack is never just a group of individuals bonded together through friendship and democratic arrangements. There is always one that leads. Another reason that can lead to resource guarding over a person is seeing your dog as your personal bodyguard. Without any proper and professional training, your dog does not understand how to handle situations that are truly a threat to your well-being, so they will just assume that everything is a threat and act accordingly. This can also happen when too many human emotions like empathy seeking and looking for reassurance are imposed on the dog, which are confusing for canines since this is not a behavior natural to them. This seems vulnerable to dogs, which is in direct contrast to a strong and trustworthy leader. 
Resource guarding can also present itself when there are multiple dogs in the household, and one dog feels like it is above all others in the hierarchy arrangement and demands all attention for itself. 
When you bring a dog into your life, it's crucial to establish yourself as the pack leader. This means creating structure and setting clear boundaries, much like an authority figure. Obedience training is a great way to do this, as it helps your dog understand their place in the world and your role as their leader. Do not forget it was your idea to bring your dog into your life, not the other way around. You have to be what your dog needs: a strong and trustworthy guide in the human world.