What Is Resource Guarding?

Resource guarding dog displays behaviours (growling, snapping, etc.) intended to convince others to stay away from a particular “resource.”  The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place, a person… Basically, anything a dog finds to be of high value.

Resource guarding is normal dog behaviour. It’s natural for dogs to protect what’s valuable for them from others. Some dogs guard things they are holding at the time (a toy or bone, for example) or when they’re eating. Other dogs guard toys or treats near them, even when they don’t seem interested in them.  And some dogs guard space, like the couch or bed or people, like their owner. Growling and related body language are their way of saying, “Back off! This is mine, and I don’t want to give it up.” 

Resource guarding can vary in severity, from the dog that will move the object away to the dog that growls, snaps, or bites if approached. Resource guarding can become a serious problem if a dog threatens to bite people. Never punish your dog for these warnings, or he may stop giving warnings altogether and move to a more aggressive behaviour, biting.

What should I do about it?

•If your dog resource guards his food, walk past your dog’s food bowl while he is eating and, without bending down, drop a delicious treat (cheese, chicken, beef etc.) near him or into his bowl.  This will teach him that humans approaching his food are a good thing instead of a threat. You can also hand-feed your dog to associate people as providers of pleasant things.

•Teach your dog to drop things by swapping it to something really delicious. Remember, the key is to trade for an item of greater value.

Key Points to Remember

•Resource guarding is natural for dogs, but it must be managed so that it doesn’t become an aggressive behaviour.

•Prevent inappropriate behaviours from developing by rewarding desirable ones. Create positive associations between people and resources.

•When teaching your dog to “drop it”, start with boring items and gradually work up to more valuable ones. Get in the habit of trading for something better.

•Never hit, scare, or threaten your dog in order to get something from him, even if he growls and snaps. He is giving you a warning and that’s something you want him to be able to express.  Dogs that are punished for growling go straight to biting.