How to Stop Resource Guarding in Dogs

Resource Guarding: Understanding, Addressing, and Resolving It

Resource guarding can feel like a battle—your dog freezes over a bone, growls when you approach their toy, or glares at you from across the room like you’re plotting a heist. It’s easy to think, Why are they being so stubborn? or even, Why don’t they trust me?

But here’s the thing: guarding isn’t always about fear.

Yes, some dogs guard because they’re scared of losing something important. But for others, it’s not fear—it’s a learned behavior, a product of their genetics, or simply part of their temperament.

Some dogs are hardwired to value resources more intensely, while others might have learned through experience that guarding works. Maybe they’ve discovered that growling or snapping makes people back off. Whatever the cause, the solution is the same: conditioning a new response.

The goal isn’t just to stop the guarding; it’s to teach your dog that your presence doesn’t mean loss—it means opportunity.

Why Guarding Happens

It’s important to understand the why behind resource guarding because it shapes how we approach it. Here are the most common reasons dogs guard:

1.Fear of Loss: Your dog is afraid they’ll lose something valuable. This is often the case for dogs from shelters or rescues, where competition for resources was high.

2.Learned Behavior: If growling or snapping has worked in the past, your dog may have learned that guarding gets results.

3.Genetics or Temperament: Some dogs are naturally more inclined to guard due to their breed, lineage, or personality. Guarding is especially common in breeds bred to protect or hold resources.

Regardless of the root cause, the solution is the same: teach your dog that your approach signals good things, not something they need to defend against.

Conditioning a Cue: Teaching Your Dog to Welcome Your Approach

Resource guarding often creates tension—your dog might growl, stiffen, or glare as you come closer to their treasured item. But what if your approach didn’t feel threatening to them? What if, instead, they happily moved toward you, leaving the item behind on their own?

That’s the goal of this method: conditioning a response where your dog learns that your approach means good things are coming. It’s not about taking anything away or forcing your dog to give something up. Instead, it’s about teaching them to stop, look, and move toward you when they hear a specific word or sound, because they know something great is on the way.

This technique doesn’t just reduce tension—it empowers your dog to make the choice themselves, shifting the dynamic in a positive way.

Step 1: Start Small and Teach the Attention Marker

An attention marker is a word or sound that signals to your dog, “Look at me, good stuff is coming!” It’s the foundation for teaching them to move away from what they’re guarding without any confrontation.

How to Start:

1.Pick Your Marker: Choose a simple, consistent word (like Yes!, Break!, or Here!) or a sound (like a click or kissy noise).

2.Practice Without Distractions: Start in a calm environment. Say the marker, then toss a high-value reward (like chicken or cheese) a few feet away from your dog.

3.Repeat: Practice this several times until your dog starts to perk up and look toward you when they hear the marker.

Goal:

Your dog learns to associate the word or sound with something exciting and rewarding, setting the stage for the next steps.

Step 2: Pair the Marker with Your Approach

Once your dog understands the attention marker, you’ll start using it as you approach them when they’re near something they value. The goal is to teach your dog that your presence means they should move toward you—and away from the item—because good things are about to happen.

How to Do It:

1.Approach Calmly: From a comfortable distance, say your marker word and toss a treat near your dog, but slightly away from the item they’re guarding.

2.Encourage Movement: The tossed treat should draw your dog toward you and away from the guarded item.

3.Reward for Movement: If your dog moves toward the treat, calmly step back and repeat.

Why This Works:

Your dog learns to associate your approach with positive outcomes, and they start to voluntarily move away from the item on their own when they hear the marker.

Step 3: Build Confidence and Proximity

As your dog becomes more comfortable, you can gradually decrease the distance between you and the item they’re guarding when you use the marker.

How to Progress:

•Start at a distance where your dog is relaxed.

•Gradually move closer over multiple sessions, always using the marker and tossing a reward to draw them away.

•Over time, your dog will begin to anticipate the marker and move toward you without hesitation.

Pro Tip:

If your dog ever stiffens, growls, or hesitates, back up and give them more space. The goal is to keep the experience positive and stress-free.

Why This Method Is Effective

This approach doesn’t just condition your dog to feel good about your presence—it actively teaches them to move away from the guarded item on their own.

Key Benefits:

•No Confrontation: You’re not forcing your dog to give anything up or taking anything away.

•Empowers Choice: Your dog learns to make the decision themselves, which builds trust and confidence.

•Reduces Guarding Behavior: Over time, your dog stops feeling the need to guard when you’re near because they associate your approach with rewards, not loss.

Tips and Tricks for Preventing and Managing Resource Guarding

Resource guarding isn’t just about training; it’s about managing your environment and rethinking your approach. Here are some practical tips to help you avoid unnecessary conflict and create a safer, more positive relationship with your dog:

1. Don’t Take It Unless You Absolutely Have To

If your dog has something they’re guarding, ask yourself:

•Is this dangerous?

•Will it hurt them if they eat it?

If the answer is no, let it go. Trying to snatch the item can escalate the situation and damage trust. Wait for a better opportunity, or practice the attention marker technique to encourage them to move away on their own.

2. Stop Leaving Things Around for Your Dog to Guard

Resource guarding often happens because we unintentionally set our dogs up to fail. Avoid leaving high-value items like bones, toys, or food lying around if your dog struggles with guarding.

Pro Tip: Store tempting items in places your dog can’t access when you’re not actively supervising. Prevention is always easier than dealing with a guarding incident.

3. Don’t Assume You Have the Right to Take Stuff

Here’s a reality check: just because you’re the owner doesn’t mean your dog will automatically be okay with you taking their stuff. Imagine someone walking up and taking your phone or sandwich without asking—it would feel invasive, right?

Instead of assuming your dog should just “deal with it,” focus on conditioning a response where they willingly move away when you approach.

4. Respect Your Dog’s Space

Hovering over your dog or trying to grab an item can increase their stress and make the guarding worse. If your dog has something valuable, give them space and use your attention marker from a safe distance. Let them choose to come to you.

5. Build Positive Associations

Make your presence a good thing by pairing it with high-value rewards. Every time you approach, toss a treat or say your attention marker to condition a positive response. Over time, your dog will see you as a bringer of good things, not a threat to their resources.

Empowering Your Dog to Choose

Resource guarding isn’t about your dog being “bad” or “defiant”—it’s a natural behavior that can be managed with the right strategies. By respecting your dog’s boundaries, managing their environment, and teaching them a positive response to your approach, you’re setting both of you up for success.

And remember: it’s not about winning a battle—it’s about building trust and creating a relationship where your dog feels safe, secure, and willing to share their world with you.

Want more guidance? Explore our training resources for practical, step-by-step support.

👉 Grab a copy of my Building Food Motivation PDF on Etsy to start building your dog’s engagement and focus.

👉 Dive into our Online Course at Training Dogs Online, where we walk you step by step through proven training strategies for real-life success.

👉 Curious about who we are? Learn more about us, our philosophy, and why we’re passionate about helping dogs and their owners thrive.

-Cher Wood

Street Wise Canine