Resource Guarding in Dogs: Understanding and Managing the Behaviour

How to manage resource guarding behaviour in dogs

Resource guarding is one of the most misunderstood yet common behavioural issues in dogs. Whether your dog guards food, toys, a bed, or even a person, this behaviour can lead to tension, conflict, and sometimes aggression. Understanding why dogs guard and how to manage it calmly and safely is key to rebuilding trust and confidence.

What Is Resource Guarding?

Resource guarding happens when a dog protects something they value — such as food, toys, resting spots, or people — from others. It’s an instinctive behaviour rooted in survival, but in a home environment, it can become problematic if left unaddressed.

Common things dogs guard include:

Food (bowls, treats, or bones)

Toys and chews

Beds or resting areas

People or specific family members

Space (sofas, doorways, rooms)

The intensity of guarding can vary — some dogs may simply freeze or turn away, while others may growl, snap, or bite when someone comes too close.

Why Do Dogs Guard Resources?

Dogs guard for instinctual and emotional reasons. Even though our pets are domesticated, the survival instincts of their ancestors still influence their behaviour today.

Key causes include:

Genetics: Some breeds have stronger guarding instincts than others.

Past experiences: Dogs who’ve faced food scarcity or competition in their early life may develop guarding habits.

Poor socialisation: Puppies who weren’t taught that people approaching their food or toys means good things may struggle to share.

Unintentional reinforcement: When a dog learns that growling makes people go away, they keep using that strategy.

Signs of Resource Guarding

Watch for these early warning signs before the behaviour escalates:

Freezing or stiff body posture when approached

Growling, snarling, or baring teeth

Snapping or lunging

Eating faster when someone nears

Running off with or hiding valued items

Recognising these signs early helps prevent bites and allows for more effective training.

How to Stop or Manage Resource Guarding

1. Prevent It Through Positive Training

Teach “Trade” or “Drop It” – Reward your dog for happily exchanging an item for something better.

Hand-feed meals – Build trust by occasionally feeding from your hand or adding treats to the bowl as they eat.

Teach “Leave It” – This command teaches impulse control and helps reduce the need to guard.

2. Use Desensitisation and Counterconditioning

If your dog already guards, work slowly and positively:

Start at a safe distance and toss high-value treats near the guarded item.

Gradually move closer over several sessions, continuing to pair your approach with rewards.

Offer “trade-ups” – give your dog something better in exchange for the guarded item, without confrontation.

3. Avoid Confrontation

Never punish a dog for guarding — this only increases fear and escalates the behaviour.

Instead, manage the environment:

Remove triggers before they cause stress.

Keep valuable items out of reach if necessary.

Focus on building your dog’s trust rather than dominance.

When to Seek Professional Help

Some cases require professional guidance, especially when guarding leads to aggression. A tailored behaviour modification plan can make all the difference.

👉 Get my Resource Guarding Training Plan — a step-by-step, personalised programme designed to help you understand your dog’s triggers, rebuild trust, and stop guarding safely and effectively.

Final Thoughts

Resource guarding isn’t about dominance or disobedience — it’s about insecurity. With patience, empathy, and the right approach, you can teach your dog that sharing is safe and that they don’t need to protect what they love.

If you’re struggling or unsure where to start, I can help you create a training plan built around your dog’s unique personality and environment.

Or contact Dog Behaviourist Online to get started.