Does your dog growl, bark or stiffen when someone approaches their food bowl, a favourite toy, or even their bed? You might be dealing with resource guarding — a not uncommon but tricky behaviour that stems from a dog’s instinct to protect what they value.
What is resource guarding?
Resource guarding is when a dog shows defensive behaviour to keep others (human or canine) away from something they see as valuable. This can include:
- Food or treats
- Toys or bones
- Beds or resting spots
- A favourite person
- Another pet (dog, cat etc.)
The guarding might look like:
- Freezing or stiffening
- Growling, baring teeth or barking
- Snapping or biting
While these behaviours can feel alarming, they’re not signs of a “bad” dog — just a dog communicating discomfort.
Why do dogs guard?
Dogs evolved in environments where resources like food or shelter were scarce. Guarding is a survival instinct: if you lose access to something valuable, your chances of survival drop. Some dogs are more prone to guarding due to genetics, early life experiences, or learned behaviour.
First and foremost: What NOT to do
Don’t punish the warning signs like growling — these are valuable communication signals. Punishing them may suppress their behaviour (response), but not the emotion behind it. Don’t try to ‘dominate’ or forcefully remove the item. This can increase anxiety and escalate guarding. You might see a quick success but don't be fooled, you only suppress your dogs actions and it is much more important to look behind the scenes and fix the underlaying issue.
New puppy owner? Do it right from the start!
If you want to teach your dog the right behaviour from day one and help prevent resource guarding, a great method is to occasionally walk past your dog's food bowl and add something to it while he is heating. This teaches your dog that when a human is approaching mid meal, more is coming. It builds a positive association and creates trust.
Another helpful approach is to call your dog away from their food bowl mid-meal. If they come, reward them with a tasty treat, then allow them to return to finish their food. It is important here to offer a high value treat - as they are going away from a full bowl of food, a single piece of the same kibble won't be enough. This encourages voluntary disengagement from the resource, rather than the handler needing to directly approach or interfere with it.
What to do when your dog is resource guarding
We separated this in 2 different categories which go hand in hand: management and a short training session:
1) Management: Manage the environment
Prevent situations where your dog feels the need to guard. Feed in a quiet, low-traffic area where they can eat undisturbed. Never take food away — only do so if it’s absolutely necessary, such as in an emergency (your dog is choking on a bone). Plan ahead so your dog has enough time to finish their bone or meal peacefully, and always feed breed-appropriate treats and sizes to avoid any interruptions from your side.
Feeding multiple pets in close proximity can create unnecessary tension — always give them space.
Pro-Tip: You don’t need to take food away from your dog to “fix” resource guarding — and doing so can actually make things worse. The idea that “you should be able to take food away from your dog” is outdated and unhelpful.
Instead, focus on creating a calm, safe feeding space and teaching your dog that humans near their food means good things, not threats. Respect your dogs boundaries and leave them to eat alone - that builds trust 🐾
Yes, ideally your dog shouldn’t resource guard in the first place. But that doesn’t mean we should test them or push their limits. A dog that is eating doesn’t need to be approached, challenged, or interfered with. It’s not necessary for dogs to “just be okay” eating side by side — managing the environment to avoid conflict is a key part of preventing guarding behaviours before they even begin. It’s not fair to hang around your dog’s bowl, stare at them while they eat, or fiddle with their food — and then expect them to be “okay” with that threatening behaviour of us. That’s not building trust, it’s testing it.
2) Training: Build trust through trading:
While your dog is eating, casually walk past and drop something extra tasty — like a few pieces of kibble or a bit of chicken — straight into their bowl. The goal is simple: your presence near their food should always mean something better is coming. This one small habit, done consistently, helps build trust and teaches your dog that people near their food are never a threat.
Remember the "call off" approach? Practise to call your dog away from their food bowl mid-meal. If they come, reward them with a tasty treat, then allow them to return to finish their food. You can also use a long line if needed. Always turn your shoulders away and do not stare at your dog while you are practising.
You can also split your dog’s meal into two portions and keep the second bowl with you. Once they finish the first bowl, call them over and offer the second one. This reinforces the idea that coming to you doesn’t mean losing food — it means more is on the way. Always aim to build trust by showing your dog that food is never taken away, only added.
It is important here to offer a high value treat - as they are going away from a full bowl of food, a single piece of the same kibble won't be enough. This encourages voluntary disengagement from the resource, rather than the handler needing to directly approach or interfere with it.
Pro Tip: This isn’t something you need to practise over and over. A few calm, positive repetitions are enough to build trust. Keep the atmosphere relaxed and never add pressure — the goal is to create a sense of safety, not test your dog.
Get professional help
If your dog’s guarding behaviour escalates or starts to feel unsafe — especially if there’s snapping or they’ve already nipped you — it’s time to bring in a qualified behaviourist. Working with a professional ensures everyone stays safe, and they’ll be able to create a tailored, step-by-step plan to help your dog feel more secure and reduce the need to guard.
If your dog is resource guarding you or another family member, we recommend seeking help from an experienced trainer. This type of guarding can be more complex to address, as it often involves adjusting your own behaviour and relationship with your dog — something that’s hard to walk through properly in a blog post and best worked on in person with professional guidance.
Final thoughts
Resource guarding is a natural behaviour and part of a dog's survival instinct — but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it unmanaged. With the right training, trust-building, and a bit of patience, most dogs can learn to relax and feel safe without guarding.
Remember: it’s not about control — it’s about connection, trust and proper management.
