RESOURCE GUARDING (guarding food, toys, etc.)
(If you haven’t read our article on Leadership, it’s important to do that before reading this or other training articles.)
Has this ever happened to you? You’ve adopted a dog and are anxious to let him know that you are his friend. When you approach him while he is eating, he stops eating, stiffens, hovers over the bowl, and you hear a deep growl.
Overview
Has this ever happened to you? You’ve adopted a dog and are anxious to let him know that you are his friend. When you approach him while he is eating, he stops eating, stiffens, hovers over the bowl, and you hear a deep growl.
You were experiencing resource guarding or possessive aggression, a common condition, especially in a puppy or a new dog in a home. The dog perceived the new owner’s approach as a threat to something it valued, namely, its food. Other objects that a dog may value and guard are a bone, chewy, toy, article of clothing, bed, location/area, person, or house. Reactions to a perceived threat include growling, lunging, barking, baring teeth, biting, stiffening body, staring, hovering over, carrying away, and eating faster. This can be a serious problem, especially when children are around. It’s best to treat this problem as soon as your dog begins to show signs of guarding, especially in puppies.
Why Does My Dog Guard?
This phenomena is probably a vestige of the time when dogs’ ancestors had to fight for survival in the wild and is a natural response to a perceived threat to something the dog values, even if the threat is imagined, for whatever reason.
So, what are you to do if your dog growls when a visitor approaches with an outstretched hand; your child picks up his favorite toy; or another dog approaches him while he’s eating? What you don’t do is panic. And you don’t have to return him to the shelter. Your dog is simply communicating with you, telling you, ”Please don’t take away this thing that I need in order to be safe and happy.” This behavior can be managed, either by you and/or a trainer.
Positive Reinforcement Is the Key
The general rule for managing such behavior: use positive reinforcement, showing your dog that there is something better than what she values, and making this training a positive occurrence. Never punish her by removing her bowl or toy, shouting, or, of course, hitting. And go slowly; don’t rush your dog. Resolving her problem may take some time.
For food guarding, walk by the bowl at a distance and toss a treat or piece of juicy meat near the bowl. Do this several times, each time coming closer to the bowl. Continue until she realizes that your approach results in something better than what she is eating. In the meantime, remove the bowl when she is not eating.
If he guards a toy or security blanket, use treat tossing, each time coming closer before tossing the treat. This is called ”trading up,” giving him something that he values more than the toy and showing that your approach results in something positive.
If he growls when you come near a room, keep the door closed. If he guards a location, approach until he shows signs of guarding (growling, stiffening, staring, etc.), then toss the treat. Gradually come closer and closer before tossing the treat. If he growls when someone approaches or enters the house, contact us at
For additional information, check out the following articles:
What to Do When Your Dog Steals and Guards Items – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
How to Prevent Resource Guarding in Puppies (preventivevet.com)
What Is Resource Guarding in Dogs? (webmd.com)
Resource Guarding | Victoria Stilwell Positively
Food Aggression And What To Do About It - Cesar's Way (cesarsway.com)
Still Having Problems?
If you’ve been working with your dog patiently and are still having significant problems, we’re here to help.
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