Resource Guarding

• Is your dog's resource guarding becoming just a little bit unpredictable?

• Do they obsessively snap and lunge when you try to take their favourite toy away?

• Are they showing unwanted aggression around the food bowls or toys towards other people or dogs?

• Are you scared they'll cause serious injury to another dog or unsuspecting victim?

Why Is My Dog Resource Guarding?

In some ways, resource guarding is the most natural thing in the world. Ultimately, it's an instinctive trait that all dogs possess to some extent. The problem is, it's a behaviour that's not always appreciated in our human world. It's especially not appreciated when it's allowed to go unchecked.

And therein lies the problem.

The occasional growl or bark from a dog guarding their favourite toy might be annoying, but depending on the circumstances, it's not necessarily dangerous. But a dog that becomes emotionally attached to certain people or objects could soon flip the script and go on the offensive. And that's when the real problems start. The point here is that ALL guarding behaviours need to be treated as equal.

Basically, it all needs to be discouraged.

Some of the most common reasons for resource guarding include:

   

Lack of appropriate socialisation

Sometimes, resource guarding could be a sign that a dog has not been properly socialised.

If dogs aren't exposed to a wide variety of people, other dogs, animals and environments from an early age they can become anxious or fearful around anything unfamiliar. 

Unfortunately, fear and anxiety can often translate into unwanted behaviour like resource guarding.

Once dogs like this become attached to a particular person or object, they may feel the need to defend it against perceived threats.

They're Possessive 

All dogs are possessive to an extent, as are humans, when you think about it, but left unchecked, it can quickly develop into a problem.

While some dogs can get super possessive about high-value items like toys or food. Others can get possessive about people. 

If your dog thinks they ‘own' you. They may develop other undesirable behaviours towards anyone who gets in between you and them.

It has developed into a habit 

It's not uncommon for some owners to give in and just accept that resource guarding is just part of being a dog or the behaviour begins quite subtly and goes unnoticed for some time.

Eventually, they conclude that being protective of certain items is just part of the game.

Some owners may even be encouraging the behaviour unknowingly.

Lack of training

An untrained dog will often go to extreme lengths to make sure nothing comes between them and their treasured possession.

How to Spot the Signs of Resource Guarding

Many types of resource guarding can be passed off as a general warning. But some types aren't. For instance, if a dog happens to nip or bite when you approach a certain item they're protecting. This same nip can easily escalate into displays of aggression. Worse still, recognising the difference between a playful nip and one that's intended as a ‘warning' isn't always easy. 

When a dog is showing aggression when guarding, they tend to adopt a stiff, rigid posture. They may tense their muzzle and curl their lips to expose their teeth.

However, dogs that are calm will have a loose, relaxed posture. Both may growl. But whereas a low-pitched, guttural growl is a sign of aggression, a high-pitched, sharp bark is a sign of play. 

 

How to Stop Your Dog Resource Guarding

When it comes to training, you need to think about the big picture. It might be frustrating when your dog starts demonstrating undesirable behaviours, but the problem is still the behaviour itself, not the person or thing that's causing it.

If you want to address the problem, you need to address the problem, period. 

For instance, trying to stop your dog from guarding the food bowl isn't going to work if you let them get away with guarding their favourite toy. Remember, dogs respond to consistency. So be mindful to keep working on discouraging undesirable behaviours, whether they're aggressive or not, and encouraging desirable ones.   

Remove all loose items that can be guarded

If your dog is struggling with the need to possess anything and everything it can help immensely to not have items of perceived value laying around. This can include toys, bowls, balls, bones, food etc.

Your dog does need some things that can be entertaining or enriching but they need to be less “valuable” to the dog. Examples could include a sandpit or plastic bottles or containers that can be easily disposed of if they become valuable.

A handler or owner is never a “resource”

If your dog is standing over or near you and growling or possessing, you this is not acceptable at all. The dog should be moved away from you and not be allowed to rehearse this behaviour at all.

Allow the dog to have safe spaces and food of his own

Some dog will resource guard items such as beds and crates or other sleeping or living spaces. Your dog should be able to feel safe and comfortable in these spaces. By keeping other dogs and unfamiliar people or children away from crates or beds the dog will not feel the need to protect or guard these spaces.

Crates can be covered or even have temporary fencing erected around the dog’s bed or crate to ensure no one can go in this space.

It is also very important that the dog is not allowed to “own” any sitting or sleeping spaces that are yours. This includes lounges, beds, chairs. This also could include a lounge that you have designated as the “dog’s lounge”, this concept can be confusing for the dog. Best just to keep all human furniture off limits to a dog who resource guards.

When it comes to food it’s very simple. DO NOT go near a dog’s food, bowl, or bone while they are eating. This means anyone! Leave the dog alone while they eat. I wouldn’t appreciate someone stealing food off my plate.

Your dog should be able to eat and sleep in safety with no perceived threats.

Dial Back Aggressive Play

If your dog has a habit of guarding a particular item, you need to set boundaries of what is and isn't acceptable. To make things easier, avoid doing things that initiate aggression. Patting the sides of their face, playful nudges, or again, ‘roughhousing' will just perpetuate the idea that aggression is part of the game.  If they do end up getting riled when you try to take their favourite toy away, avoid escalating the situation. End the game and take a few minutes to let your dog calm down and relax. It may seem obvious, but it's a sure-fire way to dial down the emotion.

This can also relate to play with other dogs. If the play is becoming too intense and rough or if there are any items such as toys involved this should be stopped or at least dialled back.

Training

Skills such as “Leave it”, place training and stay or wait until released can be extremely beneficial to teach a dog who resource guards. These skills will help to clear up any confusion between dog and handler, build good relationship and trust as well as keep hands and faces away from a dog who may be possessive.

If your dog is particularly possessive of a food bowl, then it may be beneficial to hand feed only. As in the dog does not get a bowl of food on the ground at all. Every mouthful of food can be given as a food reward for performing desirable behaviours such as sit, drop, stay, come to their name etc. This will also help immensely with handler engagement.

Final Thoughts 

At the end of the day, a dog that demonstrates the odd bout of aggression isn't uncommon. But that doesn't mean it's ok to let it continue. The sooner your dog learns that aggression isn't acceptable, the better it will be for everyone. Not only does it decrease the risk of those mild aggressive traits turning into something more serious down the line. But it also makes it way less embarrassing around others.

Left unchecked resource guarding can be quite serious and result in either you or someone else being severely injured. Dogs biting people is completely unacceptable in our society must be treated seriously. The quicker you can get on top of this behaviour the better for both you and the dog. Consistency, patience, respect, routine and training will lead to a healthier happier relationship with your canine companion.