Background

Resource Protective

Guide to Understanding and Managing Resource Protective Rescue Dogs

Rescue dogs often come with a past that we may never fully understand, and sometimes, they exhibit behaviours like resource guarding. This is a common behaviour where a dog aggressively defends something it considers valuable, whether it’s food, toys, beds, or even people. This guide will help you understand resource protection, identify signs, and offer solutions for building trust and reducing this behaviour.

What is Resource Protection?

Resource protection is a natural survival instinct in dogs, but it can be especially heightened in rescue dogs due to:

  • Past neglect or trauma: A history of being deprived of basic needs.
  • Abandonment: A fear of losing access to food or comfort again.
  • Limited socialization: Never learning to share or trust humans around their resources.

Signs of Resource Protective Behaviour

Some common examples of resource protection include:

  • Food Guarding: Growling, snapping, or stiffening when approached while eating or near a food bowl.
  • Toy Protection: Becoming tense, possessive, or aggressive when a person or another animal comes close to their toy.
  • Guarding People: Lying next to or leaning on their person and showing signs of aggression when others (dogs or humans) approach.
  • Space Guarding: Defending a favourite spot, like a bed or couch, by growling or lunging when someone tries to move them or get close.

Solutions for Managing Resource Protective Behaviour

The key to addressing resource protection is patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. The goal is to help the dog feel secure and understand that sharing or relinquishing an item does not mean a loss. Below are practical steps and examples to manage different types of resource protection:

  1. Food Guarding

    Example: Your rescue dog stiffens and growls when you walk by its food bowl during mealtime.

    Solution:
    – Hand-feeding: Begin by hand-feeding your dog small amounts of food. This builds trust and shows them that your hand means good things.
    – Toss Treats: Gradually toss high-value treats (like small pieces of chicken) near their bowl while they are eating, associating your presence with something positive.
    – Step-by-Step Approach: Slowly approach while they eat, tossing treats without making direct eye contact. Over time, you can get closer until you can calmly stand next to them.
    – Trade-Up Method: Teach your dog the “trade” command by offering a treat or another piece of food they love more than what they currently have. This teaches them that giving up an item leads to something even better.

    Careful Supervision During Feeding and High-Value Situations

    Bringing in a new rescue as a companion for your present family dog.
    – Separate Feeding Stations: Feeding stations should be set far apart or in different rooms, especially with same-sex dogs, to minimize any sense of competition. Make sure both dogs understand that mealtime is a calm, controlled experience.
    – Avoid High-Value Chews and Bones: Given the higher risk of conflict, it’s best to avoid offering high-value chews or bones that may trigger guarding behaviour when your dogs are closer together.  These should be given and monitored with reasonable distances apart from each other.  Bone type treats should be avoided altogether.

  2. Toy Protection

    Example: Your rescue dog shows aggression when you try to take away its toy.

    Solution:
    – Teach “Drop It”: Start with a less-valued item and offer a high-value treat (something they rarely get) when they drop the item. Reward immediately and praise them for letting go.
    – Engage in Cooperative Play: Avoid trying to take toys directly. Instead, play games like fetch or tug-of-war where they can engage with you while holding the toy. Teach them that playtime is a cooperative activity, not something where they must defend their toy.
    – Rotating Toys: Keep a variety of toys available and rotate them so no single toy becomes too valuable. If they don’t know when or if the toy will return, they are less likely to become possessive.

  3. Guarding People

    Example: Your rescue dog becomes tense and shows aggression when someone approaches you while they are sitting close.

    Solution:
    – Increase Independence: Encourage the dog to spend time in their own space, such as a comfortable bed, using treats to make it an appealing area. Slowly reward them for being away from you and not reacting to others approaching.
    – Counter-Conditioning: Pair the approach of another person with a positive experience (treats, praise). For example, when someone comes near, give the dog a treat so they start associating people approaching as a positive event, not a threat.
    – Training Commands: Teach commands like “place” or “go to bed” where the dog learns that moving away from you is rewarding and safe.

  4. Space Guarding

    Example: Your dog growls when you try to move them off the couch or bed.

    Solution:
    – Train to Get Off: Use the “off” command paired with a treat or reward. Encourage them to come down by leading them with the treat, and once they are off the couch, give the treat immediately.
    – Create a Cozy Space: Make an area just for them—a comfy bed or blanket—where they are consistently rewarded for going to. Over time, they’ll start to choose that space over yours.
    – Practice Positive Reinforcement: Gradually teach them to move off spaces by using a calm, non-threatening approach and giving rewards for compliance. This helps them learn that getting off the couch doesn’t mean losing out, but instead gaining something.

Additional Tips for Working with a Resource Protective Rescue Dog

  1. Patience and Consistency: Progress may be slow, but consistency is crucial. Avoid punishing or scolding, as this may worsen the behaviour and damage trust.
  2. Positive Reinforcement: Reward the dog for desired behaviours rather than focusing on what you don’t want. Celebrating small wins builds trust and confidence.
  3. Professional Guidance: If the behaviour escalates or remains unmanageable, consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist who has experience with resource protection.
  4. Routine and Stability: Establishing a consistent feeding, play, and training routine helps rescue dogs feel secure. When they know what to expect, they are less likely to feel the need to guard resources.

Building Trust and Confidence: The Long-Term Goal

Rescue dogs often need time to adjust and learn that their new environment is safe. By understanding their protective behaviour as a response to past experiences, you can approach training with empathy and patience. With time, structure, and positive reinforcement, you can help your dog feel confident and secure, reducing their need to guard resources and strengthening your bond.

Summary

Resource protection is manageable with the right strategies:

  • Identify and understand the behaviour.
  • Use consistent, positive reinforcement methods.
  • Work on building trust through patience and empathy.

By approaching resource protection as a natural, understandable response, you can create an environment where your rescue dog feels safe and valued, setting the stage for a harmonious and trusting relationship.