Hi everyone

Case (18 month old GSD) and I are doing great. he's been a delight over the past six weeks since his rescue. His training is coming on well. I have also been taking him to coffee stores and grocery stores to make sure he gets lots of noises, cars and unusual situations.

Something strange happened this morning. He's shown zero sign of resource protection round food or toys. However, he loves the Cuzball more than any other toy. I had given it to him for 5-10 minutes which he was chewing on his mat. One of my kids went to grab it off him (he's happily given them other toys before).

For the first time, he growled and did not want to let my son have the toy.

I have discussed this with my kids and asked them not to try and take toys from Case when he's on his mat.

I then tested him and took the same toy from him off his mat. No issue.

Any other feedback or suggestions? I searched on resource protection, but can't find anything.

Thanks
Rob

That is one handsome dog you have there. Wow, he's just classic.

I'll let the pro's handle this question, but to me it's yet another example of how the dog develops and changes over time in relation to it's environment. A picture of behavior taken at one slice of time may look much different than a picture of the same circumstances taken days, weeks, or months later. Six weeks of time is still a pretty small slice in this dog's lifetime - he's still trying to carve out his little slice of the pack and the family, and stake out where he fits in. In my experience, rescue dogs are infinitely more tolerant initially - they are somewhat in shock, I think. Over time as they begin to feel more comfortable, you start to see some of the more typical behaviors creep in. For example, we've had a couple rescues we thought were non-barkers until their "honeymoon period" had ended, then we couldn't keep them quiet.

It sounds like you are doing a good job of teaching your kids how to interact with the dog also. How old are your kids again? If they were my kiddo's, I'd make sure they adhered to the "no taking toys from the dog when" rule (obviously same with food) until you get this all sorted out (which you will).

Good luck!!

Both my Shepherds love those stinkin things. Use it for your obedience reward, don't let him keep it like that.

Rob & Steve

Thanks for this and the compliment to Case. Very good advice. My first GSD and first rescue obviously.

Rob

 Quote: Robert Holloway

I have discussed this with my kids and asked them not to try and take toys from Case when he's on his mat.

Robert, it sounds like you're doing a great job with your GSD. My only comment/concern...I'd rather see you make a very iron-clad rule for your kids not to disturb the dog on its mat, rather than asking or suggesting they leave him alone there.

I think kids, like dogs, need very black/white rules to live by, especially when it concerns any interaction between them.

JMO...

leih

Done!

We now have a set of rules re the matt, surprising Case and play

Thanks Leih

 Quote: Robert Holloway

Done!

We now have a set of rules re the matt, surprising Case and play