Resource Guarding in Dogs: 5 Things to Stop Doing and 2 Things You Should

Resource guarding in Dogs happens when a dog perceives their resources, such as food, toys, beds, or even random objects like feathers or specific areas of the house, are limited or under threat. It can be triggered by a variety of situations including general anxiety, lack of control in a different situation, adrenaline, or past experiences.

Whilst resource guarding is a complex problem to solve, there are a few things will definitely make things worse, or even make your dog more vulnerable to start resource guarding. So, in this blog. I’m going to talk about five things you should definitely stop doing if your dog resource guards (no matter what resource they guard) and two steps you should take, and why!

Five Things to Stop Doing…

1. Free Feeding

Feeding your dog proper meals, at set times, every day makes the food resource predictable. It also allows you to know much, or how little, your dog is eating. A dog that picks might not be getting enough which can cause problems. Predictability also reduces stress and anxiety, and helps your dog feel secure in their resources. So, when food availability feels inconsistent, a dog may begin to hoard or obsess over what they have. But, this isn’t just for food guarders: having a predictable routine will help your resource guarder, no matter what they consider a limited resource.

2. Leaving Down Uneaten Food

This might feel counter intuitive, after all if you take food away then won’t your dog get more possessive? But allowing your dog to graze on leftovers can disrupt their natural hunger cues, making mealtimes unpredictable and contributing to anxiety. Over time, this inconsistency will increase their anxiety around food as they will start getting hungry at the wrong times.

Also check out my blog on Why Dogs Refuse Food

Instead, once your dog has walked away from their bowl, give them about five minutes to return before removing the leftovers. This helps reset their hunger cycles, encouraging them to get hungry at the right times and ready to eat when you feed them.

3. Using Slow Feeders and Snuffle Mats for Meals

While enrichment feeders are great fun, they aren’t suitable for a dog that resource guards. These devices turn meals into challenges, triggering adrenaline and activating a dog’s “fight or flight” response. A dog eating in a heightened, reactive state, is much more likely to become possessive of their food. They need to be in a “rest and digest” state to eat calmly and process food properly.

Instead, serve meals twice daily, in a simple bowl that allows easy access to food. Save slow feeders or snuffle mats for occasional snacks or enrichment games outside mealtimes.

4. Drip Feeding Throughout the Day

Many owners choose to reward their dogs by handing out food as rewards throughout the day. While this can seem beneficial, it prevents a dog from achieving that lovely feeling of fullness. Dogs are feast and famine eaters. They need that full belly feeling to send a signal to their brain so that they stop searching for food and finally go into rest and digest mode. A dog that never gets that full belly feeling can remain in hunting mode, increasing the likelihood of guarding behaviours.

Instead, feed your dog full meals at set times. This allows them to experience a “full belly” sensation, encouraging them to rest and relax rather than remain protective of their food.

5. Testing Their Training Progress

It’s natural to want to check if your training is working. However, testing by putting your hand near their food or approaching them while they are near their resource, can reinforce their fear and remind them why they guard their resource in the first place. Each time you test them, you remind your dog that their resource is valuable and under threat, which reinforces their need to control and guard it.

Instead, stop testing and just trust the process. Allow your dog to feel secure in the knowledge that their resources are safe and unchallenged.

Two Things You Should Do…

1. Get a Vet Check

Illness or pain can significantly influence a dog’s behaviour. Conditions such as digestive issues, diabetes, or hidden pain are very often underlying causes of resource guarding. When you visit your vet explain the situation and ask for a thorough check-up to rule out any medical issues. If something is wrong, addressing it could quickly resolve the guarding behaviour. Or at least deal with the need to guard so you only have the habit to worry about.

2. Evaluate Their Nutrition

Even small changes can affect your dogs dietary needs. So, it never hurts to do a food review. Start by checking your dogs weight and evaluating their activity level. Now you can check your dog is getting the right amount of food and nutrition for them. Also, make sure they are getting something appropriate to their age and that is well balanced.

If you prefer to prepare your own food, it might be a good idea to speak to a nutritionist. Your vet will be able to refer you to someone that can give you the right advice for your dog.

Once you know what to feed and how much, I suggest preparing the days food at the start of the day. Offer half for breakfast, use some for snacks and slow feeder games, and whatever is left can be offered at tea time. You’ll know exactly what your dog has eaten, or not eaten, and will notice straight away if there is a problem.

Final Thoughts

Managing resource guarding in dogs takes patience, understanding, and consistency. By creating predictable routines, a feeling on control, and addressing underlying triggers, you can help your dog feel more secure and reduce the need to worry about this stuff – no matter what their preferred resource.

If your dog is on the fence about resource guarding or just starting to show signs, these adjustments might be enough to ease their anxiety so the problem can go away on it’s own. For dogs with more ingrained guarding behaviours, professional help from a behaviourist is recommended.

If you’d like personalised support, feel free to get in touch with me or seek guidance from a trusted local behaviourist. Together, we can help your dog feel happier and more relaxed around their resources.