Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is when a dog finds something of value and does not want it to be taken away.

Overview

  • Resource guarding is a natural behavior. When a dog values something, they may guard it to prevent it from being taken away. Instead of correcting this, we focus on counterconditioning to help your dog see people or animals approaching as a positive experience.

  • Our goal is to change your dog’s response so they associate someone approaching with receiving treats, rather than feeling threatened. When the person leaves, the treats stop.

  • With enough practice, your dog will look forward to people approaching during meals or play. For more details, see the Counter Conditioning page.

Understand Body Language of Guarders

  • Tensing of the body, tail stiffens.

  • A pause or freeze, evasive move, or a growl.

  • Whale eye, or hard stare.

  • Head lowered over food or item.

  • Tail tucked or ears back.

  • Escalation, showing teeth, snap, bite.

  • Familiarize yourself with Body Language by looking through this handout.

Videos

Introducing Dogs Who Guard

Dog That Guards Food

Dog That Guards Space (Kennel)

Preventing Toy Guarding

Prevent Puppy Resource Guarding

Guarding Against Cats

Stop Food Aggression

Resource Guarding Strategies

Resource guarding refers to behaviors, often aggressive, that dogs display to maintain control over something they value. This could include food, toys, or even intangible items like sleeping spots, proximity to their owner, or specific areas such as doorways.

Dogs can guard against humans, other dogs, or both, and these behaviors don’t always overlap. For example, a dog might growl at another dog approaching their chew toy but remain calm if a human approaches. Resource guarding is usually specific to certain items or scenarios but can expand to other things if the behavior proves effective.

“Guarding” simply reflects the dog’s fear of losing the item and their attempt to maintain control. For instance, if a dog guards their owner, it’s not about protecting against a real threat but rather akin to guarding a bone — “I don’t want anyone messing with my stuff!”

At its core, resource guarding is more about insecurity than anything else.

First Step: Management

To prevent resource guarding from becoming a habit, it’s essential to manage the environment so guarding behavior doesn’t occur. How you implement this depends on what your dog is guarding and your specific situation:

  • Avoid High-Value Items: Don’t give your dog items like pig ears, rawhides, or anything they are likely to guard.

  • Separate Feeding Areas: Feed your dog in another room to avoid disturbances.

  • Limit Access to Guarded Spaces: If your dog guards the couch, don’t allow them on it.

  • Remove Tempting Objects: Pick up items your dog shouldn’t have, like tissues or remote controls.

  • Avoid Confrontation: If your dog already has an item they guard or is in a guarded spot, let them have it. Do not try to take it away or force a confrontation. This will only escalate the behavior.

Proper management prevents opportunities for guarding and reduces the chance of reinforcing the behavior.

Do Not “Correct” Guarding Behavior

Avoid reprimanding or punishing your dog for guarding. Here’s why:

  • Stress Makes It Worse: Your dog is already stressed about losing their resource. Getting angry only heightens their anxiety and reinforces their fear.

  • Doesn’t Fix the Problem: Punishment doesn’t stop the guarding behavior—it only teaches the dog to hide it. This can lead to a dog that bites without warning.

  • Reinforces Their Anxiety: By reacting negatively, you confirm your dog’s fear that conflict will happen when they guard something, which escalates the behavior.

Avoid Setting Them Up to Fail:
Do not provoke guarding behavior to “correct” it. This only increases their stress, making future reactions worse. Focus on preventing the behavior and working on positive associations instead.

For Object Guarding: Set Up an Exchange Program

Teach Hands Give, Not Take:

  1. Start with a neutral item your dog doesn’t guard.

  2. Let them sniff it, then take it away. Immediately give three tasty treats, one after the other, with lots of praise.

  3. This teaches your dog that giving up an item leads to rewards.

Important Notes:

  • Don’t Bribe: Take the item first, then offer treats. Don’t wave treats to distract them while grabbing the object—this undermines the training.

  • Build Gradually: Once the process feels routine, practice with increasingly valuable items. Use the same steps: present, sniff, take, praise, and reward.

Incorporate Play:
Follow sessions with fun games like tug or fetch to reinforce that the exchange program is rewarding and positive.

Practice with “Contraband” Items:
If your dog often guards items like tissues or remotes, rehearse with those items in controlled setups. Don’t wait for an actual incident—consistent rehearsals ensure success when it counts.

Food Bowl Guarding

Teach Hands Give, Not Take:

  1. Prepare your dog’s food as usual, but set down an empty bowl.

  2. When your dog looks confused, take a small handful of kibble and drop it into the bowl.

  3. Repeat: as they finish, add more kibble, one handful at a time, until the meal is complete.

This helps your dog associate your presence near their bowl with receiving food, not losing it.

Important Note:
If your dog guards food and you’re free-feeding (leaving a full bowl out all the time), switch immediately to timed, routine feedings. Free-feeding contributes to guarding behavior. Controlled feeding times create structure and make food an interactive, positive event.

Place/Object/Food Guarding: Counter Conditioning Protocol

Approach and Reward:

  1. When your dog has something of value, approach calmly and toss a delicious treat before they show any guarding behavior, then walk away.

  2. Repeat this, gradually decreasing the distance over time, teaching your dog that your approach predicts something good.

Key Tip: Reward before signs of guarding appear. Early signs include eating faster, freezing, or hovering over the item. If your dog shows guarding signs at 10 feet, toss treats from 12 feet away to avoid triggering the behavior. Prevent guarding from being practiced whenever possible.

Guarding Against Other Dogs:

  • Keep the both dogs leashed to control distance.

  • Start at a range where the guarding dog is comfortable. Toss treats to create positive associations as you approach with new dog.

  • Gradually decrease the distance over multiple sessions.

Guarding Furniture:

  • Keep the dog off guarded areas (e.g., beds) until guarding behavior is reliably addressed. Train them to use a new, comfortable bed with no history of guarding.

  • Use a pen or barrier if necessary to prevent access to the guarded area.

Guarding the Bedroom from a Partner:

  • Have your partner call the dog out of the bedroom for a treat, then let them enter the room first and reward the dog for following calmly.

  • If your dog won’t leave the room for a treat, keep them out of the bedroom entirely or wait until everyone is settled before allowing them in. This prevents opportunities for guarding.

Possession Problems: Teach Mouth Control

Practice “Drop It” with Low-Value Items:

  • Use a game of tug to teach the command.

  • Follow the Drop It steps to help teach them.

Key Takeaway:
Your dog will learn that giving up items to you is a positive experience.

Avoid Chasing or Cornering:

  • If your dog has something, avoid chasing or cornering them, as this can provoke guarding behavior.

For Other Dogs:

  • Teach the second dog a solid “Leave It” command to prevent conflicts over items.

Good Canine Enrichment Reduces Nervous Behaviors

A well-stimulated dog, both mentally and physically, is less likely to display behavior problems. Here are some enrichment ideas to incorporate:

  • Interactive Play: Activities like tug, fetch, flirt pole, or agility training.

  • Work-to-Eat Opportunities: Use puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, or stuffed toys.

  • Sniff-and-Stroll Excursions: Allow your dog to explore and sniff during walks.

  • Mental Games: Try nose work, hide-and-seek, or other brain-challenging activities.

  • Fun Obedience Training: Make training sessions engaging and dynamic.

  • Chew Toys for Calm Time: Offer safe chew toys (if these don’t trigger guarding behavior).

Avoid Physical Punishment
Resource guarding stems from anxiety about losing control of a possession. Punishment only increases that anxiety, making the behavior worse. Instead:

  • Focus on kindness, support, and consistency to address the issue.

  • Remember, treating your dog with respect and understanding will lead to better results than power struggles.

A calm, enriched, and supported dog is more likely to thrive.