Resource guarding - why it happens and what you can do about it
Does your dog growl when you approach their food bowl? Run away with stolen objects? Freeze when you reach towards something they have? Perhaps they guard toys, chews, their bed or even a favourite person.
This is known as resource guarding, and although it can be worrying for owners, it is important to understand that your dog is not being dominant, naughty or trying to take control. Resource guarding is usually about one simple thing: your dog is worried about losing something they value. Understanding that can completely change how we respond to it.
So what exactly is resource guarding?
Resource guarding describes behaviours a dog uses to maintain possession of, or access to, something they consider valuable. That resource might be:
Food or a food bowl
Chews and treats
Toys
Stolen objects such as socks or tissues
A bed, sofa or resting place
A particular space
Occasionally, a person
Dogs can guard resources from people, other dogs or both. Guarding does not always look dramatic, some of the earliest signs can be very subtle. For example you may notice your dog:
Eating faster when somebody approaches
Lowering their head over an item
Becoming very still
Turning or moving away with something
Giving a hard stare
Showing the whites of their eyes
Tensing their body
Hovering over an object
If your dog feels that any of their signals aren’t working, they may escalate the behaviour to growling, snarling, snapping or biting. These behaviours are communication, and your dog is effectively saying, “I'm worried you're going to take this. Please give me some space.”
Why do dogs resource guard?
There isn't one single cause. For some dogs there may be a genetic component. Previous experiences can also play a part, particularly if resources have frequently been taken away from them. Competition around food or other resources can contribute too, especially in multi-dog households.
Sometimes guarding develops almost accidentally. Imagine a puppy picks up a sock. Their owner rushes towards them and takes it away. Next time the puppy finds a sock, they run away and their owner chases them. Eventually the puppy is going to learn that when humans approach while they have something, they are likely to lose it!
The puppy may begin holding onto objects more tightly, hiding with them or eventually growling when somebody approaches. Unfortunately, if we respond to that growl by grabbing the object anyway, we may confirm exactly what the dog was worried about.
Never punish the growl
Growling can feel frightening, particularly when it is directed towards you or a member of your family, but a growl is incredibly useful information. It tells us the dog is uncomfortable before they feel the need to escalate further. Punishing a dog for growling may stop the growl, but it doesn't necessarily change how the dog feels.
Instead, we risk removing an important warning signal. We want our dogs to feel safe communicating with us. If your dog growls over something, don't tell them off. Give them space and think about what might have caused them to growl in the first place.
Should I put my hand in my dog's food bowl?
You may have heard that puppies should get used to people touching their food or having their bowl taken away while they're eating.
!!!!! DO NOT DO THIS !!!!!
If you were sitting down about to enjoy your dinner and somebody kept putting their hands on your plate or taking your meal away from you, you would probably become tense every time they approached you! Dogs learn that a person approaching my food means I might lose it.
Instead, we want our approach to predict something GOOD. Walk past and toss something delicious towards your dog, then continue walking. Over time, rather than worrying when somebody approaches, your dog can begin thinking:
“Brilliant! Someone's coming. Good things happen when people approach me.”
That is a very different emotional response.
Stop taking things away
Of course, sometimes dogs pick up things they genuinely cannot keep, but whenever possible, avoid simply removing things from your dog's mouth.
Instead, offer them the chance to trade. If your dog has something you need, offer something better in exchange. You can also teach a positive Drop cue by practising with items your dog is allowed to have.
Give them something, offer a tasty piece of food, mark or praise when they release the object, give the food and, importantly, give the object back whenever it is safe to do so.
This last part matters. If “Drop” always means “I'm taking your stuff”, your dog has very little reason to cooperate. Instead, we want them to learn that dropping something doesn’t always mean losing something – in fact it’s usually the opposite, they might get a tasty morsel and then the object back – or another object if the original one is not appropriate.
What about stolen objects?
If your dog regularly steals socks, shoes, tissues or other household objects, management is an important part of the solution. Try to keep tempting objects out of reach rather than repeatedly creating situations where you have to retrieve them.
You should also avoid chasing your dog. For many dogs, stealing something and being chased becomes an excellent game. For others, being pursued increases their anxiety about losing the item. Instead, stay calm and trade if you need the object back.
Resource guarding between dogs
If you have more than one dog, don't expect them to share everything. Dogs should have the opportunity to eat and enjoy valuable chews without another dog trying to take them. If necessary:
Feed dogs separately
Give high-value chews in separate areas
Provide multiple beds and resting spaces
Pick up particularly valuable toys if they cause conflict
Use gates or separate rooms to create safe spaces
Management isn't failure, preventing conflict is the most sensible thing we can do.
What if my dog has already bitten?
Resource guarding can range from relatively mild behaviour to situations where there is a significant bite risk. If your dog has snapped or bitten, if the guarding is becoming more frequent or intense, if children are involved, or if you feel frightened by your dog's behaviour, please seek professional help immediately.
Could pain be involved?
Any new or significant change in behaviour is worth discussing with your vet. Pain, illness or physical discomfort can affect a dog's tolerance and behaviour, particularly if they begin guarding resting places, avoiding touch or behaving differently from usual. Behaviour and physical health cannot always be separated, so ruling out an underlying medical issue is an important part of assessing behavioural change.
The most important thing to remember
Resource guarding isn't about winning a battle with your dog. Your dog doesn't need to learn that you can take anything away whenever you want. They need to learn that you are not a threat to the things they value. So rather than asking:
“How do I stop my dog guarding?”
A much more useful question is:
“How can I help my dog feel safer when people are around things they value?”
Once we start from there, we can work on changing the emotion behind the behaviour, rather than simply trying to suppress the warning signs.
Need some help?
If your dog is resource guarding, please don't feel embarrassed about asking for help. It is something I work with regularly and the earlier we understand what's happening, the easier it can be to put appropriate management and training in place.
I've also created a free Resource Guarding Guide which is available in my WhatsApp community with practical steps you can start using at home.
You can also keep an eye out on my Events page for the next Resource Guarding online masterclass.
Keep in touch,
Christine
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