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:

• What situations make my dog feel uneasy?
• Can I adjust the environment to reduce stress?
• What behaviours can I reinforce instead? (Shikashio, 2025)
Increasing predictability and safety helps reduce guarding.

Recognising Early and Overt Guarding Behaviours

Signs range from subtle to overt:

• Snatching or swallowing items
• Refusing to drop items
• Avoiding returning during retrieve games
• Running away with prized objects
• Hiding possessions
• Turning the head away when approached
• Pausing or freezing during play when touched
• Stiffening, hard staring, or growling
Dogs that bark, growl, snap, lunge, or attempt to bite when approached should be assessed by a certified behaviour professional (Herron et al., 2009).

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:

• fear-related postures
• tension or avoidance
• aggression in multiple contexts
• a history of aversive handling
A detailed behavioural history is essential to differentiate these presentations (Herron et al., 2009; Landsberg et al., 2013).

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:

• Early-life experiences
• Littermate competition
• Reinforcement history
• Breed tendencies
• Emotional state
Guarding becomes problematic only when fear overlays normal canine behaviour.

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:

• Retrievers & spaniels: grab-hold-carry
• Guardian breeds: vigilance
• Herding breeds: orienting and stalking (Jacobs et al., 2018)
Parading is natural and self-rewarding, not stubbornness.

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:

• Snatching items from puppies
• Punishing growls
• Taking objects
• Ending retrieve games by removing toys
• Missing early warning signs
Repeated negative experiences teach dogs to defend items, a pattern recognised in conflict-related aggression (Landsberg et al., 2013).

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:

• Desensitisation
• Counterconditioning
• Environmental management
• Predictable trading routines
• Reinforcement-based training
Severe cases should be managed by a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourist or Certified Behaviour Consultant.

Prevention and Safety Tips

• Allow dogs to enjoy possessions without interference
• Trade, don’t take
• Provide multiple toys, chews, and resting areas
• Learn early stress signals
• Supervise children near valued items
• Seek help early if guarding emerges

Key Points to Remember

• Possession is normal canine behaviour
• Guarding originates from fear and uncertainty
• Proximity influences what dogs perceive as theirs
• Chewing and carrying can regulate arousal
• Genetics and early-life factors influence guarding tendencies
• Human responses can reduce or exacerbate guarding
• Reinforcement-based methods build trust
• Serious cases require professional assessment

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