If you’ve followed me for any length of time, read my blogs, watched my podcasts, or followed me on social media, you know I’m a huge advocate for dog rescue. Adopt do not shop!

It is heartening to see and hear so many of you who have rescued dogs. Thank you for doing your part to make the world a better place for our canine companions!

However, I have recently started to receive a lot of inquiries about how to manage the behaviors that can sometimes come with dogs being adopted outside of shelters. To help, I’ll be releasing a series of blog posts on the most common behavioral problems of rescue dogs you’ve all been asking about!

Of course, any dog ​​(rescue or not) can experience these behaviors. So I hope this information is useful to everyone!

Today’s topic is resource guarding. Why do rescue dogs struggle with guarding resources and how do you help your new pup overcome this behavior?

Here are my thoughts…

What is resource custodian?

Resource guarding is a behavior in which dogs guard or store resources and become overprotective of them.

for example…

You can buy a hard bone for the dog to chew on. The dog sticks to the bone and claims it. If you or someone else (children or other pets) try to pick up the bone, your dog will do anything to ensure that the bone doesn’t come off. Hence, the dog guards its resources.

Resource guarding can occur with any object, including…

• Kids Games
• treats
• Food / Food Containers
• random house objects
• dog bed
• blankets
• furniture
• etc.

Why is guarding resources dangerous?

Some people watch a dog “guarding” their favorite stuffed animal or toy and think, “What a cute!” But there is nothing sweet about this dangerous behavior.

At first, guarding resources may seem like a dog stocking up on toys. Or maybe if you get too close to your dog’s food bowl, he may give you a little growl. But,  guarding resources for overtime can get aggressive – if it isn’t already.

Biting, holding teeth, lunging, and biting are all behaviors that can appear when your dog feels he needs to protect what belongs to him. Throw a toddler into the mix that doesn’t understand why they shouldn’t get their hands in your dog’s food bowl and things can quickly take a bad turn.

Therefore, it is very important to immediately correct the behavior if you bring home a dog with a resource guard. What can you do? Let’s talk a little more about the psychology of guarding resources before we dive into the solution.

Why My Rescue Guard Dog Resources?

If you have rescued a dog who has difficulty guarding resources, he likely lived in a situation where resources were limited.

for example:

Your dog may have an owner who does not provide dog food, which leads to him having to look for his next meal. If the dog is given food, it may not be enough or your dog may have to compete with other dogs for the little that was saved.

You have to think like your dog… put yourself in their “paws”. If you were given a peanut butter sandwich every day to eat, you’d rather be protecting that sandwich too!

 Any  dog ​​can develop resource-guarding issues. You may simply have a voracious puppy who loves foods and bones and doesn’t want to share them with anyone else. Or you may have a dog that doesn’t enjoy sharing its space.

Abuse and neglect are not the only reason for a dog’s resource-guarding habits. But, in this post, we are talking specifically about rescue dogs, and unfortunately, both abuse and neglect are very logical reasons why your dog might be struggling.

The good news is that  any dog ​​can overcome this problem, regardless of the source of the behavior.

How do you help your rescue dog? Here are my recommendations…

Resource Protection Solution #1: Implement a robust training program

By far the best thing you can do for your dog is to implement a vigorous canine training program that  will help your dog calm down, relax, and look to you for guidance.

Why is this important?

Easy…  Many guard dogs resources because they are afraid. They don’t trust that they will be taken care of/provided. For this reason,  they take matters into their own hands when they feel that something important to them will be removed.

A training program – such as My Dog Calming Code – is specifically designed to help your dog understand that you are the leader and provider in a kind and gentle way. When you put this program in place, your dog learns to look at you for guidance.

Once your dog is confident in your ability to lead, he will be able to relax and look at you rather than having to anxiously protect whatever is important to him. At the end of the day,  this is the only way to permanently fix the problem as a training program reframes your dog’s mindset  and helps you form a trusting relationship.

Resource Protection Solution #2: Create a safe space for your dog

Providing a safe space for your dog is vital to helping your pup overcome his obsession with guarding resources  – especially if you have recently brought home a rescue dog!

I recommend making a box with a cozy blanket. This crate will become a safe place for your dog…like a den. It should always be available if your dog needs time to cool down or is feeling anxious.

Providing this type of space for your dog will provide a certain level of stability and will help your pup as it transitions to living inside your home.

Resource Protection Solution #3: Stick to Consistent Routines

Like many humans,  dogs crave routine.

Aside from having a schedule, the  routine provides your dog with consistency and structure. And when you stick to your routine, your pup will quickly pick up on what his daily schedule will look like.

Why is this useful?

Dogs are incredibly smart. They learn patterns that can instill a sense of security to know what comes next. for example…

If you get up every morning, let your dog out to use the bathroom, and then feed your pup breakfast, your dog will quickly learn that after a morning potty break he will be fed. Then maybe you walk around the evening in the neighborhood, then feed your dog dinner. Again, he will understand that he will be fed every day after the walk.

Having a predictable schedule takes away much of the anxiety of “Shall I have dinner today?” Once this anxiety is reduced, your pup will be less likely to feel the need to protect resources.

It’s like having children.

Your children will be less likely to ask “When is dinner?” Every day if you have a consistent eating routine. For example, you could pick up your child from school, take him to soccer practice, go home, do his homework, and then eat dinner. Over time, your child will understand that once the homework is done, it’s dinner time and they won’t have to ask.

Resource Protection Solution #4: Take a Break from Bones and Games

If your dog has a serious problem guarding a resource, sometimes it’s best to get rid of the items he’s guarding until you have a solid training program in place. Giving your dog a bone is not worth the risk of injuring someone.

Instead of playing and chewing, keep your dog motivated with an extra walk in the park, one-on-one training at home, or some good old scrapes and hugs.

Eliminating the source of your dog’s anxiety (also known as the bone your pup constantly feels the need to guard) will put a lot of stress on your pup and give you extra time to bond and build your confidence with your new baby.

Resource Protection Solution #5: Teach your friends/family to act appropriately around your dog

When it comes to dog behavior issues, we are quick to point our fingers and name our dog the problem. However, we humans need to take responsibility as well.

In an ideal world, you should be able to reach your hand directly into your dog’s food bowl while eating without worrying about getting bitten. But you also have to think about respecting the dog’s space.

Do you want someone to put their fingers in your dinner every night while you eat? I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume your answer is a big “no!”

It is essential to teach your family and friends to respect the dog’s space.

• Don’t let your kids mess with the dog’s food bowl  while he’s trying to eat. It’s not cute.
• Do not allow people to take your dog’s toys/bones  while playing. You wouldn’t want someone to snatch your things while you’re playing.
• Do not allow friends/family members to invade your dog’s personal space  when your puppy is hanging in his designated safe space. You don’t want people to interfere in your personal space when you need quiet time.

Educating those around you on how to interact respectfully with dogs can really help while working with your pup who is struggling with resource guarding issues.

If you are having a hard time with your new dog, don’t give up! Follow my tips above knowing that with a little time and patience your dog will be settled in no time!

best wishes,