There’s a lot of advice on the internet about how to prevent resource guarding. Unfortunately, a lot of it is out of date- and might actually lead to more resource guarding!! So here’s what you need to know:
What is resource guarding?
Resource guarding is simply the act of protecting something we believe is ours. Dogs might guard anything from food, to a mate, to a particular object or place. It’s less about some noble idea of protection, and more about keeping what belongs to us. In some cases, it might also apply to things we don’t have (yet) but think we might get!
Is resource guarding normal?
Resource guarding is a completely normal behavior: but the type and severity comes on a spectrum. Most dogs would not appreciate anyone stealing the bone they’re currently chewing on. But some dogs don’t even want anyone approaching their area while they’re eating, and others will show aggression if someone even enters the same room.
So while guarding itself is normal, it can become very dangerous if dogs feel the need to show aggression over possessions.
Should I put my hand in my puppy’s food or take their bones away to prevent resource guarding?
Please don’t! The old training methods went like this: dogs should always defer to humans, and it’s unacceptable for dogs to ever show aggression to us. So we should make sure they know that we’re in charge by regularly taking things from them, teaching them that things are ours, not theirs.
It sounds like it makes sense, right?
Except think about it this way: I might happily let a friend have one of my fries at lunch. But if they steal food off my plate every time we eat together, I’m likely to get more and more frustrated and potentially keep my food farther from them. I might even snap at them to stop.
In reality, dogs are more likely to guard things if we repeatedly take them. We begin to cause regular stress, and the dog learns that “if humans approach when I have good things, those things get taken away. I hate when people approach me while I’m eating.”
Should I hand feed my food to prevent resource guarding?
Again, please don’t! While hand feeding likely won’t cause guarding directly, it’s also not going to help. Your pup will likely already associate your hands with good things (because we give treats!). But if all of their food only comes from your hands, that creates a lot of social pressure. Think about trying to eat a meal while your roommate stared over your shoulder!
Should I let my dogs figure out dominance over their food and other items?
There were old methods that recommended letting your dogs sort out some sort of hierarchy of who got to eat first. But most of it was based on some misunderstandings of research on wolves! Unfortunately this method leaves a lot of room for fights and ruining the relationship between dogs.
We don’t recommend trying to create a hierarchy between your dogs and recommend addressing any resource guarding you see between your pups asap.
How can I prevent my dog from resource guarding?
Leave your dog alone when they eat.
Keep dogs separated when they eat, preferably with a barrier between them. (This might mean being in separate rooms, using a baby gate, both in crates, etc). While some dogs are able to co-feed, it’s a risk for most dogs that’s usually not worth taking.
Avoid taking things from your dog, and try to balance those times with good stuff. That could mean practicing giving things back (like asking for the tennis ball and then throwing it for them again) or trades (offering a treat in exchange for the sock they grabbed)
If your dog is already showing some resource guarding, please get help asap!