Resource Guarding in Dogs

How do you feel when someone leans or sits on your new car? Mercy! You’ve worked hard to pay for that shiny new car. Folks need to show respect, right? Now, you understand why dogs guard their new toys.

What is Resource Guarding?

Every dog possesses the need to guard objects. Guarding resources is a primitive survival instinct. You can’t survive without shelter, food and water so it behooves you to protect valuable resources.

Aggression is a learned behavior. If you threaten someone, as he approaches your food, and he retreats, you’ve learned that aggression works. The dog world lists material, territorial, protective, possessive and sex-related aggression as different types of aggression, but when you peel back the layers, the cause is usually due to guarding babies, territory or mates. So I lump these terms into resource guarding.

What Does Resource Guarding Look Like?

Dogs will warn before biting. It’s up to us to notice the telltale signs. As another dog or person approaches, most dogs will:

• Freeze or stiffen their bodies
• Lower their heads over their prized object
• Widen their eyes with the whites showing (whale eye)

If a threat continues approaching, dogs will increase their warning by:

• Making direct eye contact (“Um, this is mine!”)
• Growling
• Showing teeth
• Snapping
• Lunging
• Biting

VIDEO: Resource Guarding

Stella (Mini Bull Terrier) guards an antler. Sobek (Rottweiler) is asking for it, but Stella says “No.” Sobek takes the hint and relaxes. Sobek is dealing with his frustration and Stella never becomes aggressive. Her body language told the story.

Prevention

One ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold and this is so true for resource guarding.

Play the Trade Game

Instead of taking away a prized chew toy, play the trade game. Offer your puppy or dog a piece of hot dog for his chew toy. As he drops the chew toy, pick it up and give him a piece of hot dog. Hey, if you try to take away my cheesecake because you think I’ve had enough, I just might growl at you too! But if you give me a $100 bill for my cheesecake, then we’re cool. 🙂

Good Things Happen

Approach your dog, as he’s eating, and toss something really yummy into his food bowl. Dogs will learn to back away from their bowl so you can toss delicious chunks of roast beef or a huge scoop of canned food into their bowls. Basically, they’re learning that “approaching” does not mean you’re taking away their food, but adding to it.

RELATED: Prevent Resource Guarding

Separation is Good

For multiple dog households, separate dogs to prevent resource guarding behavior. It never fails; one dog finds the nylabone that has not been chewed on in years. Suddenly, the forgotten nylabone becomes a hot commodity. Every dogs wants to chew it right this minute. Or, you hand each dog a bully stick. They don’t want their stick. They want the bully stick being chewed by the other dog, oi vay.

Ask dogs to go in their crates and reward with a bully stick or scheduled meal. It’s best to add visual barriers (see no evil :)), such as sheets or blankets, to prevent crate guarding opportunities. Once all dogs have finished their chews or dinner, open crate doors, pick up food bowls and release dogs from crates.

Management for Dogs Already Resource Guarding

Food Bowl, Chew Toys and Food Stuffed Kongs

Practice sharing games and teach the trade cue. I promise, it will get better! If not, seek professional help.

That’s My Spot

Some dogs will guard their favorite napping spots, usually the sofa or bed, from dogs and even people. My general rule: If you act rude, you lose privileges. If a dog is guarding a spot on the sofa (or bed), toss a treat on the ground while saying “off.” You are not rewarding your dog for guarding; you’re rewarding him for getting off the sofa. Don’t make this a standoff because then you’re reinforcing guarding behavior. They’re getting to practice it.

RELATED: Offensive Dog Aggression

If she jumps right back on the sofa, say “off” while tossing a piece of treat on the ground. Usually, by the second or third time, your dog takes the hint and finds another spot to rest.

Plus, play sharing games. Resource guarding dogs will usually protect other prized possessions too.

That’s My Human

If someone gave me free access to car rides, cheesecakes and donuts, I would totally guard him too! Most resource guarding dogs practice this behavior while sitting in your lap. The moment you notice the first sign of resource guarding, which is usually body stiffening or hard stare, I say “off” and toss a piece of food on the ground. The person being resource guarded should put the dog on the ground.

Secondly, change your dog’s perspective by playing sharing games.

Don’t Touch My Puppies

Maternal instincts are hardwired for a reason so listen to the momma dog. If she doesn’t want other dogs around her puppies, place barriers around the whelping box to prevent visitors from gawking at her puppies.

Get Off My Lawn

Knock knock. Who’s there? Why do dogs bark when the doorbell rings? Because it announces someone is there!

Your dog is not dominant. He’s saying , “Hey mom, someone is here.” So what do you want your dog to do instead? Lay on a mat? Run to you when they hear the doorbell ring? Sit quietly at the door?

Once you figured out polite guest announcement behavior, get busy teaching with yummy treats and a clicker. Start by attaching a leash to your dog.

• Teach her to sit by the door (or lay on the mat). Practice 5 times a day for a week.
• Ring doorbell (or knock), then lure your dog into “sit” or “lay on mat.” Continue to practice daily for a week.
• Ring doorbell (or knock) and wait for dog to offer “sit” or “lay on mat” behavior.
• Now the doorbell (or knock) is the cue to sit quietly or lay on a mat.

Get Your Own Girlfriend

Does your house resemble the nightclub on a Saturday night? This happens when dogs are intact (not spayed or neutered) and a female dog goes into season (heat cycle). It seems all the boys fall madly in love with her and will defend her honor. If altering a dog is not an option, separate using multiple barriers. Give the poor boy a break and have him sleep over at a friend’s house until your girl has completed her season (about 3 weeks from start to finish).

Resource guarding is normal, but you don’t have to live with it!