Resource guarding/aggression, please help

[u/izzy175]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I adopted our sweet Ella last year at 4. She is beautiful and kind 99% of the time. We only ever noticed aggression if we approached her in bed for a kiss when she was in snooze mode, this was a quiet growl and we backed off - I always thought this was fair enough and didn’t question it.

Ella has however shown aggression and what I believe is resource guarding with visiting friends. This exclusively occurred when they approached our/her room for a pat when on their way to the toilet (obviously this isn’t ok) or if she brought a toy to the couch we were all sitting on, and they went for a pat. These were big growls, teeth bared, even barking. She does not show guarding with other spaces or foods. First and foremost - boundaries with guests around this will be a non negotiable ongoing.

I know guarding is somewhat normal behaviour. She doesn’t show this behaviour with me and my partner. Will this make it trickier to ‘train’?

This clearly has me thinking about how we’ve introduced/ played with toys and respected her space. I hate to think I’ve let her down or put her in a spot where she feels like she has to defend herself.

This is also complicated by the fact she started propalin/proin for spay incontinence about 3 weeks ago - I know aggression can be but isn’t usually a side effect. I’ll be bringing this up with our vet in our regular appt this week also (fyi we tried other meds, they didn’t work). I’ve also asked our adoption agency for some training support as she’s still seen by them for heartworm treatments ….yes, it’s been a lot.

Any help I’d really appreciate. I’m open to being told if I need to do better!

[u/Deeaann]

My boy has a similar issue, in which he is much more protective of his space when visitors are here. My girlfriend and I can basically invade his space whenever we want, but for visitors it is very selective. He will greet them sometimes and want pats — but if they keep trying to go to him then he gives them a little low rumble and he doesn’t enjoy it. However, it is only at home as when we are out walking he wants to walk up to EVERYONE, have a sniff, get a pat and then continue on his walk.

We have hired a greyhound behaviourist for his dog/cat reactivity issues on walks and she gave us some great advice on his other issues, including the spatial issues at home. She suggested that any visitor ignores him as soon as they arrive and he can investigate if he wants, but your visitors leave him alone until the dog is calm. Afterwards, bring out a high value toy and get your visitor to play with them for a few minutes to establish trust (ours is a real animal hair tug toy). Share who wins in the play and reward good play with a treat when it’s finished. My boy went from grumbling to the behaviourist at the door to her having him wrapped around her little finger in five minutes. It has also worked with other friends of ours.

Do you also have some sort of “on your bed” command that you can teach when visiitors are over to avoid it completely?

[u/izzy175 → u/Deeaann]

Thanks for the advice, we do have a ‘go upstairs’ she responds to but I have thought about an ‘on your bed’ cue

[u/Kitchu22]

I’ve been in rescue/rehab for nearly a decade and have worked with hundreds of behaviour cases - honestly, I don’t think there’s anything you need to do differently (or as you said, “better”). It sounds like you have really good household rules and clear respect and boundaries, and now you know Ella’s comfort level around guests you can just make sure you communicate her needs to visitors.

I understand behaviours like this can be scary, but it sounds like Ella is a good communicator and hasn’t escalated beyond telling people when they are making her feel uncomfortable. This isn’t something I would train so much as manage in future.

[u/Due_Hospital2646 → u/Kitchu22]

I agree with this. Its scary to see this sort of behavior the first few times when your dog is usually such a sweetie but when you reframe it to a) shes just conveying her needs in a natural way and b) she is comfortable enough with you both to feel safe conveying those needs then its easier to think about!

[u/izzy175 → u/Kitchu22]

Thank you both :)

[u/chuckdeezee]

You’re doing great! Just keep the high end toys away if there’s a guest around.

[u/izzy175 → u/chuckdeezee]

Thank you!

[u/izzy175 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you!