Resource guarding can be a problem for some dogs. If your dog growls or shows other signs of aggression while they’re eating, playing with a toy, or even sitting somewhere, they are probably exhibiting resource guarding. This is a common behavior and thankfully it can be stopped. Here’s what to know about resource guarding in dogs:

What is Resource Guarding in Dogs?

Resource guarding is a normal dog behavior and a common cause of aggression in dogs. Dogs tend to guard resources from other dogs and people like food, water, toys, sleeping/resting spots, and even people. They exhibit signs like growling, snapping, bared teeth, stiffening, hurried eating, and barking.

Most of the time, resource-guarding behavior is mild. A dog might have a toy and if someone comes near, they may simply take it to another room. Or they might even just cover it with their paw or body, or give you a warning look. Dogs may also carry food away from their bowl to eat it. Some people don’t pick up on this as resource guarding because the behavior isn’t aggressive.

Other times, the behavior is alarming and aggressive. It can be hard to be around a dog exhibiting aggressive resource guarding. It might be difficult to be near or even in the same room sometimes depending on your dog’s activities.

3 Signs of Resource Guarding

There are a few signs of resource guarding to look for:

1. Hurried eating: Dogs may eat way too fast in order to prevent another dog from eating it or to ensure they get it all.
2. Refusing access: This includes hiding toys with their body, not moving from a spot, and guarding a person. Typically, they stiffen up to guard, stare, or run away with the object in question. They may guard resources from other dogs, such as shared water bowls.
3. Aggression: You may see signs of snarling, growling, barking, snapping, baring teeth, and even biting.

What Causes Resource Guarding in Dogs?

Resource guarding occurs when a dog has something they are fearful will be taken away. This could be a real or perceived threat. While it is a natural behavior, there may be external motivations behind it:

• The dog feels a lack of control and routine. Dogs love and thrive on routine and knowing when things like dinner time are happening.
• They are fearful or have anxiety.
• A dog may be trying to establish dominance or hierarchy over other dogs.
• They’re lacking confidence.
• A dog might be reacting to a previous experience. Maybe a toy or food was taken away and it made a lasting impression.
• They may be exhibiting littermate syndrome behaviors.

How to Stop Food Aggression in Dogs

If your dog is exhibiting these behaviors, there are some tips you can try to help stop food aggression in dogs:

1. Communicate with Other Members of Your Family

Make sure everyone in the home is aware of the issue. Don’t try to “test” your dog by repeating interventions that don’t work. This will only upset your dog more. Make sure everyone knows how to read different types of dog body language so no one gets hurt.

2. Talk to Your Dog While They Eat

You want to get your dog used to you being around when they’re eating. Keep your distance, but talk to them while they eat. Tell them they’re a good dog and give them praise. Use a calm voice and do this over several mealtimes.

It’s important your dog has easy access to food and water. Setting up a feeding station can help your dog easily access these resources.

3. Gradually Move Closer

Start by giving your dog a treat. Keep talking as you take one step closer to your dog. Throw another treat and do not go any closer. Do this over several more mealtimes. If your dog seems comfortable, you can take very small steps closer to your dog, throwing treats with every step.

4. Get Next to Your Dog’s Bowl

Repeat the same steps as above, but this time work your way towards your dog’s food bowl. Drop treats as you get closer and continually talk to them. Stop if they tense up. Repeat the process until you’re able to be right next to their dog bowl without them exhibiting resource-guarding behavior.

5. Interact With Them While They Eat

You want to condition your dog to get used to you being around while they eat. If they are comfortable with the previous steps, try feeding them treats out of the palm of your hand. As soon as they take a treat out of your hand, turn and walk away.

Once they are comfortable with eating a treat out of your hand, try touching their food bowl while they take the treat from you. Touch it very briefly and repeat this process a few times over several mealtimes.

6. Pick Up Your Dog’s Bowl

Now it’s time to try to pick up your dog’s food bowl. Raise a few inches off the floor and drop a treat into it. Put it right back down and let your dog eat the treat. Repeat this process a few times, each time raising the bowl a little bit higher.

Once the bowl is at about waist height and your dog is comfortable, place the bowl on the counter. Put a treat in the bowl and then put it right back on the floor in front of your dog.

7. Try This Out With Other People

Now that your dog is comfortable with you interacting with them and their food during feeding time, try this process with other people in your home or anyone who cares for your dog on a regular basis. If your dog begins to tense up at any time during the process, start over. Repeat until your dog is fully comfortable with other people interacting with them during feeding time.

Never ever use punishment during this process. This is a totally normal and common behavior for dogs and should not be punished. Using punishment will only make these behaviors worse.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Work With a Dog Trainer

If your dog is young and is only starting to exhibit resource-guarding behavior, you can use these tips to stop it from becoming an established behavior or from becoming worse. If your dog is older and food aggression is already an established behavior, training them out of it can be difficult.

Don’t be afraid or hesitant to reach out to a dog trainer for help with this type of behavior management. The more aggressive a dog’s resource-guarding behavior is, the more you will benefit from having a professional dog trainer help you minimize it and prevent it from becoming a habit again.

This is just an overview of what to know about resource guarding in dogs. Putting these tips into practice will help your dog become much more comfortable with people being around while they eat. Working on these behaviors is important to eliminate any aggression or anxiety in your dog.