Resource guarding in dogs is often misunderstood. Many owners interpret behaviours such as growling, freezing, or holding tightly to items as stubbornness or an attempt to be in charge. In reality, guarding is not a control issue, it is a behaviour rooted in fear, uncertainty, and emotional safety (McConnell, 2013; Landsberg et al., 2013).
McConnell (2013) defines resource guarding as: “any behaviour that discourages another to take, or get close to, an object or valued area in a dog’s possession.” This reframes guarding as a protective emotional response, not a power struggle.
Guarding as Communication, not Defiance
Guarding behaviours such as growling, freezing, or hard staring are communication signals indicating discomfort, not defiance (Herron et al., 2009). These signals function as warnings intended to prevent escalation.
Behaviour Problems of the Dog and Cat emphasises that punishing such signals increases fear and risk, as dogs may learn to suppress early warnings (Landsberg et al., 2013). Most dogs guard because they fear losing something important or because past experiences have made loss predictable.
Ask yourself:
Recognising Early and Overt Guarding Behaviours
Signs range from subtle to overt:
Guarding vs. Defensive Aggression
A dog that has been frequently punished for taking or holding objects may develop defensive aggression that superficially resembles resource guarding. This behaviour arises from fear or conflict, not possession (Landsberg et al., 2013).
Defensive aggression typically includes:
Why Dogs Guard: Genetics, Development, Emotion
Object-related motivation is influenced by genetic, developmental, and emotional factors (Jacobs et al., 2018). Individual variation arises from:
Dogs often define possession based on access, not ownership. Items near a dog or within their personal space may be perceived as “theirs,” making approaching hands a potential threat (McConnell, 2013; Herron et al., 2009; Landsberg et al., 2013).
Retrieving, Carrying & Parading: Natural Behaviours
Retrieving and carrying objects reinforce a dog’s desire to hold onto items. When humans consistently remove objects, conflict may develop between canine instincts and human expectations (McConnell, 2013; Shikashio, 2025).
“Parading”, walking proudly with an item is part of the predatory motor sequence. Selective breeding influences which parts are exaggerated:
Chewing and Oral Behaviour Reduce Stress
Oral behaviours such as chewing lower physiological indicators of stress (Hennessy et al., 1998; Wells, 2004). Dogs often pick up or hold items when excited to self-regulate.
Providing appropriate chew options supports emotional regulation and welfare (Landsberg et al., 2013).
Learning History: How Humans Shape Guarding
Guarding develops when dogs learn that human approach predicts loss (McConnell, 2013; Shikashio, 2025).
Common human behaviours that can increase guarding include:
Evidence-Based Behaviour Modification
Guarding that includes growling, freezing, lunging, snapping, or biting is a clinically significant behaviour concern (Herron et al., 2009).
Punishment increases fear and can escalate aggression (Landsberg et al., 2013).
Effective, evidence-based strategies include:
Prevention and Safety Tips
Key Points to Remember
References
Foyer, P., Wilsson, E., Wright, D., & Jensen, P. (2013). Early experiences modulate stress coping in German Shepherd puppies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 146(1–4), 79–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.03.013
Hennessy, M. B., Williams, M. T., Miller, D. D., Douglas, C. W., & Voith, V. L. (1998). Influence of human interaction on cortisol and behaviour in shelter dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 61(1), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00179-8
Herron, M. E., Shofer, F. S., & Reisner, I. R. (2009). Use and outcome of confrontational vs. non-confrontational training methods. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1–2), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2008.12.011
Jacobs, J. A., Coe, J. B., Pearl, D. L., Widowski, T. M., & Niel, L. (2018). Factors associated with canine resource guarding behaviour in the presence of people: A cross-sectional survey of dog owners. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 161, 143–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.02.005
Landsberg, G. M., Hunthausen, W., & Ackerman, L. (2013). Behaviour problems of the dog and cat (3rd ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
McConnell, P. (2013, May 3). Resource guarding: Treatment and prevention. The Other End of the Leash Blog. https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/resource-guarding-treatment-and-prevention
Shikashio, M. (2025). Resource Guarding Master Course, aggressivedog.com
University of Guelph. (2024). Early-life predictors of competitive behaviour in domestic dogs (Doctoral dissertation). University of Guelph.
Wells, D. L. (2004). The influence of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of kennelled dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 85(3–4), 307–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.11.005
Leave A Comment