Resource guarding in dogs: how to keep everyone safe

Resource guarding is a natural behaviour that helps animals protect things they value, but it can be very challenging to live with.

The fear of losing something valuable can lead to some dogs using unwanted behaviours, including aggression, to keep others away.

You can prevent your Boston Terrier from feeling the need to act like this by teaching them that we’re not a threat to the things they love.

 

What is resource guarding?

Just like us, our dogs can become worried if they think something they value might be taken from them, or access to something they want might be lost. What a dog values enough to protect, and who they protect it from, depends on the individual.  

Food, toys, rest spots, females in season, and chews can all be guarded. People and animal friends are sometimes guarded, too. Dogs may guard items from humans, dogs or other animals.

Some dogs may use unwanted behaviours, including aggression to keep the item ‘safe’. This behaviour is an instinctive, often fear-based, response and not dominance ‘naughtiness’ or ‘spite’.

 

 

Recognising signs of resource guarding

When a dog is guarding a resource, they’re communicating a need for space between themselves and the perceived threat. How they express this can vary. Often, dogs will use a combination of behaviours at any one time.

 

Early signs of resource guarding might include:

  • lip licking
  • whale eye – where the whites of the eyes are showing
  • tension in the face and body
  • standing over the item
  • using the body to block access to the item
  • staring at the perceived threat.

If your dog still feels like they need space from the perceived threat, they may choose to use more obvious communication.  

 

Other signs that you might see include:

  • running away or hiding the item
  • a stiff or frozen posture
  • excessive panting
  • lowering their body over the item
  • side eye – staring at the perceived threat from the corner of their eye with the body ready to protect the resource
  • eating quickly and swallowing items that aren’t food, so they don’t lose them
  • growling and barking
  • lunging, snapping and biting.  

 

Quick Wins

 

What to do if your dog is guarding right now

 

  • Stay calm: Avoid raising your voice, making sudden movements or telling your dog off. Do not chase or corner them.
  • Create space: Stop what you’re doing and calmly move away. If the item isn’t harmful, leave your dog with it until they’re finished. Make sure everyone (including other animals) are safely behind the other side of a shut door or baby gate.
  • Distract if necessary: If the item could be harmful, call your dog away or create a distraction, like knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell. Reward your dog for moving away and use a physical barrier, like a door or baby gate, to keep you safe while picking the item up.
  • Seek support: Get free expert help from our friendly team. We’re ready and waiting to help if your dog is guarding. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
  • Keep a record: Make a note of what happened before, during and after incidents to avoid similar situations in future. This will be useful for any professionals that support you.
  • Take care of yourself: Resource guarding is common. You’re not alone in dealing with this.

 

 

Daily habits that make a difference

 

Here are some tips for daily life that can help your dog feel like their resources are safe.

  • Stay calm and positive – Although it can be scary, try to keep calm and interact with your dog in a gentle and reassuring way. Shouting or telling them off can increase their anxiety and make things worse.
  • Reward good choices – Dogs repeat behaviours that work. Reward your dog when you see them behaving calmly around resources with praise or treats thrown from a safe distance. Be careful not to get close enough for your dog to feel threatened or to move your hand towards them.
  • Avoid chasing – Try not to chase or corner your dog to get an item back. Chasing may increase their anxiety, or it could become a fun game. Cornering your dog can leave them feeling trapped and like they have no other option but to intensify their behaviour.
  • Respect boundaries – Consider creating a safe space in a quiet area. This will help them feel more relaxed about others approaching their rest spaces. You could also feed them here so they have space to enjoy their meal.
  • Manage the environment – Improve safety by using physical barriers. For example, encouraging your dog behind a baby gate when it’s time for them to eat. Put anything your dog may guard out of reach, including putting food wrappers straight in the bin. Train them to wear a muzzle so they can’t pick up and swallow things they shouldn’t. Remember that management doesn’t change how your dog feels it just stops them from practising a guarding response. This can create a false sense of security.
  • Reliable recall – Teach your dog to come back when called every time you ask. This can help to avoid potential guarding situations.

 

When to seek professional help

 

Vet check

 

Changes in a dog's behaviour are often influenced by their physical health, even when there are no obvious signs of pain or illness.

Some medical issues are subtle, develop gradually, or are masked by dogs coping well, so even very attentive owners may not notice anything wrong.

You should seek veterinary advice if:

  • There’s a risk your dog swallowed what they’re guarding, or a part of it. Especially if the item is toxic, harmful, or could cause a blockage. Your dog might start vomiting if this is the case and emergency veterinary intervention is needed.
  • If your dog’s behaviour suddenly changes. For example, guarding resources or using aggressive behaviours when they haven’t in the past.

A visit to your vet is a supportive first step that can either rule out any medical causes, resolve the behaviour completely, or make any behaviour support and training clearer, fairer, and more effective for you and your dog. 

To help your vet assess your dog's behaviour, it can be helpful to bring along any videos, diaries or notes you have to your appointment at the vets. Speak to your vet when booking if you think it'd be useful to have a detailed conversation before the physical exam.

 

Source: Dogs Trust - Click here for more detailed info