How to Prevent Resource Guarding & What to Do When It Does Happen

Resource guarding is a common and even normal behavior in dogs. If your dog growls, snaps, or stiffens when someone approaches their food, toys, or favorite resting spot, they may be exhibiting resource guarding. While we can help dogs learn not to guard, understanding how to prevent resource guarding in the first place can make a world of difference for both safety and harmony at home.

This guide will walk you through why dogs guard resources, how to prevent it before it starts, and what to do if you already see early signs—all using humane, science-based methods.

What Is Resource Guarding in Dogs?

Resource guarding occurs when a dog tries to protect something they value. In fact, humans often do this as well. We guard purses, seats, and even parking spots here in snowy New England! It's a natural response to certain situations where we know others might take resources we want to hold onto.

For dogs, guarding often centers around:

• Food or treats

• Toys or bones

• Beds, sleeping areas or couches

• People or other animals

So dogs not only guard from humans but other animals in their environment. Dogs may show warning signs such as freezing, side-eye (whale eye), growling, snapping, or biting. These behaviors stem from instinct and past experience, not dominance. Even the most submissive dog can present with guarding behavior.

Why Do Dogs Develop Resource Guarding?

Understanding the cause is the first step in learning how to prevent resource guarding in dogs. Remember, it's easier to prevent guarding behaviors than to change them after they have been established. So read on to learn more.

Common Causes of Guarding

• Instinctual survival behavior inherited from their wolf ancestors

• Past trauma or neglect, especially in rescue dogs

• Competition in multi-pet households (ie, dogs guard from each other)

• Human behavior wherein the dog's humans regularly take "valuables" from him

How to Prevent Resource Guarding in Dogs (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Start Prevention Early Using Positive Reinforcement

Puppyhood is the best time to prevent resource guarding in dogs. Teach your puppy that humans near resources = good things. During this phase:

• Gently approach your puppy while they eat and toss a high-value treat into the bowl then walk away

  
  

• Make sure all family members especially children know never to attempt to reach in, touch or take anything from the food bowl while the dog is nearby

  
  

• Teach your dog to TRADE by trading a toy for a treat then giving the toy back to the dog

  
  

• Restrict long-lasting high-value chews (eg, bully sticks) to certain areas like crates or pens

  
  

• Keep your valuables out of reach to minimize the items you have to take from your puppy

  
  

This builds trust instead of the nagging concern that humans steal good stuff!

2. Have a Strategy When You Absolutely Must Take Something Away

Sometimes you simply have to get an item away from your puppy. Perhaps they have gotten ahold of your child's favorite stuffy or are ready to chomp down on an expensive shoe. This is where a little distraction helps.

• No chasing. First, do not give chase. Your puppy may interpret this as a game of keep away which he will invariably want to continue. Alternatively, some pups may decide the item must be very valuable if you are willing to chase him for it. Either way, you are sending the wrong message.

  
  

• Employ distraction. When you absolutely must take away an item, distract your pup to remove it without him being aware. It's great if you always have an easy-to-access container of treats at the ready. Take a small handful of treats (or kibble) toss it away from the pup. The puppy will drop the item and rush off to scarf the scattered treats. Your job is to quickly and secretly scoop up and hide the contraband as soon as the pup has moved away. No harm, no foul.

3. Teach the “Drop It” and “Leave It” Commands

These cues are essential tools:

• Drop It (or Trade) teaches your dog to release items willingly

• Leave It prevents conflict before it begins

Practice these commands daily using treats and praise. You should practice indoors as well as on walks. A dog trainer can help get you started on teaching these very helpful behaviors.

4. Hand-Feed Meals Occasionally

Hand-feeding some or all of your pup's meals especially in the early days:

• Builds trust

• Reduces anxiety around food

• Helps dogs associate hands with rewards, rather than threats

  
  

This doesn't need to take a lot of time. You can feed handfuls of kibble at a time. In addition, it's also a great idea to reserve a small portion of the daily meal for training purposes. This is especially useful for puppies and newly adopted dogs.

5. Create a Calm Feeding Environment

Avoid chaos during mealtime:

• Feed dogs separately in multi-pet homes

• Give the dog time and space to finish his meal in peace

• Always keep small children away during feeding time

  
  

A calm environment reduces stress and guarding behaviors

6. Avoid Triggering Situations

Prevention also means management:

• Don’t take items from your dog unless you absolutely have to. If at all possible, when you do take things away, use a bit of distraction as discussed above.

  
  

• Avoid hovering or staring while they eat. For a bit of "prevention training" with puppies or dogs new to your household, have family members walk by (not too close) and toss a treat into the bowl. If the dog is freezing or worse, you are too close. If your dog is already guarding, your best bet is to seek professional help. Please contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation.

• Supervise interactions with kids and other pets and ensure they don't harass the puppy or dog or take things away from him

Management is not failure—it’s smart prevention. It is a surprise to many laypeople how often we trainers suggest management for certain behaviors and situations. The reasons are many but the main one is certain behavior issues can take a lot of time and expertise, and most families understandably are not equipped with a lot of either.

Signs of Early Resource Guarding You Shouldn’t Ignore

Watch for subtle signals:

• Stiff posture

• Eating faster when approached

• Freezing or side-eye

• Low growling

  
  

If your dog is displaying these behaviors, seek help immediately .

What NOT to Do When Dealing with Resource Guarding

❌ Don’t punish growling

❌ Don’t forcibly remove food or toys

❌ Don’t alpha-roll or dominate your dog

❌ Don’t ignore warning signs

These actions can increase fear and aggression.

When to Seek Professional Help

Resource guarding can lead to serious bites even from normally sweet or docile canines. It has nothing to do with dominance and is typically a learned behavior. Before guarding behavior escalates to snapping or biting, please seek help from a professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. Early professional guidance can help prevent serious injury.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can resource guarding be completely prevented?

Yes, in many cases, it is preventable. Early training, socialization, good management, and positive reinforcement can significantly reduce or prevent resource guarding. Taking great care how and when you take things from your puppy or dog is key.

2. Is resource guarding normal in dogs?

Yes. It’s a natural behavior that occurs in many species including humans. As you might imagine, while it is a very important survival instinct for wild animals, for our canine companions, guarding is extremely undesirable and often dangerous.

3. Do certain breeds guard more than others?

Any breed can develop resource guarding. Environment and experiences matter more than breed. Current understanding strongly suggests guarding is most often a learned behavior though there may be a genetic component that may make some dogs more prone to develop guarding. In other words, you might be able to "make every mistake" in the book and have a dog who happily gives up anything while another dog might start guarding with only minor provocation.

4. Can adult dogs learn not to resource guard?

Yes! It is possible to help your dog learn not to guard. While it may take more time, adult dogs can improve with consistent training. However, care should always be taken with a "reformed" guarder. And because guarding dogs do seem to have a lower threshold for biting, please seek professional help as soon as possible to keep everyone safe.

5. Should I take my dog’s food away to “train” them?

Absolutely NOT. Please NEVER ever do this. This will actually teach the exact opposite and your actions may encourage your dog to guard in response. In fact, this notion is one of the worst bits of dog training "wisdom" floating around the internet. Let me share a story with you. Years ago, I worked with an adorable young cavachon. He was sweet, cuddly and loving in most situations. Unfortunately, he had also developed a terrible guarding problem that continued to grow as the weeks passed. Why? Because my client's vet provided some very bad advice when they brought their cavachon puppy home. He suggested they should stick their hand in his food bowl and take things from him in order to show them who was in charge. Unfortunately, this was terrible advice, and this little cavachon slowly added more items to guard as time passed. His concerned owners then tried to combat his escalating guarding with escalating punishment. It was a no-win situation for all of them, and he eventually expanded his guarding to a couch, his toys, his bed, and--after his bed was removed--even the spot where the bed used to be. And the worst part? I'm fairly certain none of this ever had to happen. His humans' actions (stealing from him at random times) inevitably led to his behavior (I need to protect my "valuables" from my thieving humans even though I love them!)

6. Does neutering or spaying help with resource guarding?

It may help reduce overall aggression in some dogs, but it is unlikely to impact guarding. Working with a professional trainer or veterinary behaviorist is essential. And the sooner the better. Please do not wait until the dog has bitten someone.

Conclusion: Building Mutual Trust Is Step #1

Learning how to prevent resource guarding in dogs is all about mutual trust, positive reinforcement training, and good management. Dogs guard resources because they’re afraid of losing them. Just as, for example, you might guard your wallet on a crowded subway or a row of seats at your child's school play. When we show them—through positive conditioning and repetition—that humans are safe and generous and our presence brings good things, guarding often fade away.

With early prevention, calm leadership, and professional support when needed, you can raise a dog who feels secure, confident, and relaxed around their favorite things.

For deeper behavioral insights, visit the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB):https://avsab.org