Resource guarding

Resource guarding is when dogs show avoidance (moving or hiding) or aggressive (growling or snapping) behavior to protect a treasured item. This behavior has developed because, in the wild, animals need to protect resources that they have from other members of the pack. A dog may feel threatened if it feels another individual is going to take an important resource or stop it from getting to that resource.

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Guarding of food is a natural response in the wild, but physical and psychological factors can make pets more likely to show guarding behaviors. Dogs experiencing chronic anxiety often feel generally insecure and may have an increased sensitivity to threat. They may feel that their own safety is dependent on certain objects, places or people, making them want to guard these more. Some medical conditions or drugs can increase and cause anxiety. Any condition causing increased hunger or a drive to provide for/ or protect others will increase the perceived value of food.

Early experiences can shape the emotional responses of dogs to situations in later life. Group feeding litters of puppies from one large tray can inadvertently teach dogs that important resources disappear and that mealtimes are challenging and stressful. Smaller, or less confident puppies, are particularly vulnerable to making such associations. If dogs have had limited or unpredictable access to food, places of safety, toys, high value treats, human attention, they may hold these in high regard.

Dogs may easily learn that people are a potential threat through interactions with their owners. Outdated advice suggests that owners should be able to take anything from their dog at any time. If someone approached you when you were eating dinner and took it from you, how would you feel? What would you learn?

Resource guarding behaviors can be directed towards anything that the individual dog feels is important. This can include things as wide-ranging as daily diet (including bowl), treats, chews, resting places, doorways, toys, attention (owner or other), puppies, or other inanimate objects. The individual may pose a threat by attempting to touch, approach, take, look at, or move in between the resource and the dog.

Resource guarding behaviors are most commonly directed towards household members for the simple reason that they are more likely to interact with the dog. Children often appear more threatening because they are more interested in the dog’s items and activities and are least able to identify when a dog is worried or doesn’t want to interact.

A dog’s first strategy is usually to try and move away from challenging situations, by moving away or hiding away (even slightly) when they have a chew or being unwilling to approach their owner when they are holding a toy. Dogs turn their body away so the threat cannot see the item or bury it to keep it hidden and safe. Dogs dig in dirt or use their nose to try to push blankets or upholstered fabrics to cover the item.

Some resources cannot be picked up and moved away/out of view (eg bowls, places, people, puppies, crates), and this makes avoidance of threatening situations difficult. Different strategies may be employed to keep such resources safe, such as depositing small amounts of urine on the item (marking) or standing over the resource. Dogs may lower their head, completely avoiding eye contact, or frequently look at the individual, to monitor them and assess their intention towards the resource.

A dog that is feeling significantly threatened will have a tense body posture and display stress signals such as panting, stress lines on their face, freezing (remaining very still), blinking, yawning, pacing, showing whites of their eyes. Displays of aggressive behavior can occur if the dog is feeling very stressed and if previous experience/ the current situation leads them to believe that chasing the threat away is their only option to remain safe. Such behaviors include displaying teeth, growling, air snapping, biting, lunging, barking.

Modern dog ownership is about building a trusting relationship and having a better understanding of how dogs feel and learn. It is important to teach dogs that they can be relaxed around resources. Dogs that respond to owners confidently, with love and enthusiasm, rather than trying to avoid confrontation, are much happier and more rewarding pets. Understanding your dog’s body language enables you to change interactions, to make your pet more comfortable and relaxed. A happy, relaxed pet has no need to show resource guarding behaviors.

Play time is a critical time for teaching dogs to enjoy interactions. Make sure your dog wins its fair share of tug. Just be relaxed, approachable and fun, and reinforce good interactions with rewards (voice and treats).

Provide your pet with a feeding place that isn’t in the midst and hustle bustle of the house, so they can relax when they eat their meal or treat. When passing them at mealtime, show little interest in what they are doing, teaching your dog there is no need to feel fearful. Try casually tossing them a really tasty treat so they associate your approach with something positive. Dogs in multidog households usually benefit from being fed separately, avoiding that feeling of threat and competition.

Stolen items are often guarded, they have high value because the dog finds them very exciting. If your dog has stolen something, show no interest, and the chances are that your dog will lose interest too, reducing the requirement to guard it and increasing the chance of its recovery. Supply your dog with lots of toys they can safely manipulate and chew, vary and rotate the items to maintain interest. If your dog does steal something that may harm them, scatter lots of irresistible treats in the same room, then leave the room. Your dog will leave the item to eat treats. Play the treat scatter game at other times as well to increase your dog’s response to the game and to avoid them learning to steal to get treats.

Beds, crates or cushions are best positioned away from busy areas like walk/doorways or children’s play areas. However, make sure your pet doesn’t feel excluded – resting places should not be far away from company, perhaps just the quieter end of the living room.

If your dog does show guarding behavior around resources, avoid approaching them in that situation. If the behavior persists, or, if your dog is showing significant stress or aggressive behaviors, speak to your veterinarian for advice as soon as possible. They may be able to recommend a qualified behaviorist to help you. The sooner the problem is addressed the higher the chances of a successful outcome.