How to Curb Resource Guarding in Dogs
Resource guarding is defined as a dog feeling threatened when someone approaches something that they consider to be a “valuable resource.” Resource guarding is a common behavior in pets where they become possessive over objects or spaces such as toys, food, treats, or even their sleeping area. Resource guarding can lead to aggressive behavior, which can be dangerous for both the pet and the people around them. This could be presented in many ways, but is commonly known as lunging or snapping at those around them when they are holding something valuable. This is a natural behavior for all animals, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t solutions.
What do dogs commonly guard?
Food
Toys
Crates or beds
Bones
Stolen items like napkins
Your dog may choose to guard anything that is in their possession. Maybe they enjoy stealing socks, but get aggressive when someone tries to take that sock away. All types of resource guarding may look different.
Subtle signs of resource guarding:
Freezing when someone comes near
Ears pinned back
Whale eye or side eye
Shifting their body to block the item
Eating faster
Moving away with the item
These behaviors aren’t as noticeable as snapping, growling, or lunging, but noticing them can indicate when your dog is feeling stressed. If your dog is exhibiting these warning signs, it’s important to recognize them before they potentially turn into a more serious issue.
Now that we know what resource guarding is, how do we stop it? There are a few solutions used by trainers to help dogs feel more secure in their resources.
Feed them alone.
Feeding your pet alone is an important first step in curbing resource guarding. If there are no distractions or other people present while your dog is eating, they know that there’s nothing that will take their food away. This tip is also important for the safety of those in the home. If other pets or children try to approach the dog while eating, the situation could escalate into aggression.
Keep toys away until playtime
If there are other dogs in the home, endless playtime can turn into a bad thing quickly. Having toys scattered around the house leaves an opportunity for another animal to pick it up, which can lead to a bad reaction from the dog that believes that the toy is theirs. Having a dedicated time for toys makes it easier to monitor behaviors between dogs.
Don’t leave valuable items out
If there is a particular item that your dog deems valuable, it’s a good idea not to leave it lying around. This could mean blocking off an area of the house, picking up spare items on the floor, or taking out the trash more frequently to avoid looting. If your dog were to find one of the items that they value, it could become very hard to get it away from them.
Try exchanging their resources for higher value items
Most dogs have a favorite treat that they will do anything for. If your dog starts to get aggressive over you taking something from them, try offering them something “better.” This could be a piece of cheese from the fridge or a special treat that they don’t often get. Eventually, this will teach them that positive things happen when their owner has to take an item or toy away.
Train the pet to associate people approaching their resources with positive experiences.
Start by teaching the pet to "drop it" or "leave it" on command, and reward them with treats and praise when they comply. Gradually introduce people near the pet's resources, starting at a distance where the pet feels comfortable and gradually moving closer. Reward the pet with treats and praise for calm behavior.
Consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
They can help identify the underlying cause of the resource guarding and develop a customized training plan that is specific to your pet's needs.
Many trainers note that the “distant threshold” is an important factor in resource guarding. The distant threshold is the distance away that you have to be for your dog to start exhibiting these guarding behaviors. Your dog may start growling when you’re two feet away, or it could be when someone simply enters the room. Noting how long it takes for your dog to begin acting aggressive can help you to know where to begin with eliminating these behaviors. You may have to start by standing a safe distance away from the dog and letting them get comfortable with you being in the room.
Resource guarding can be a scary thing to deal with, especially if there are other pets or kids in the home. Being able to recognize the warning signs helps to eliminate a possible outburst. It will take patience and consistency, but resource guarding can be trained out. Remember to take it slow and not upset your dog in the process, or they could become more fearful. Having high value treats on hand is a good idea when beginning the training process.
