Resource Guarding: Why Dogs Protect What They Love
Guarding is Communication—Not a Behavior to Ignore.
Have you ever reached for your dog’s toy or food bowl and been met with a growl, stiff body, or even a snap? That’s not your dog being “dominant” or “disobedient.” It’s a very real behavioral pattern called resource guarding—and it’s more common than you might think.
Resource guarding is your dog’s way of saying:
“I’m worried I’ll lose this valuable thing, and I don’t feel safe.”
With the right approach, this behavior can be addressed calmly and respectfully, helping your dog feel more secure and reducing the need to guard.
What Does Resource Guarding Look Like?
Dogs may guard anything they perceive as valuable, including:
• Food bowls or treats
• Toys or bones
• Their bed, space, or a favorite person
• Random objects (tissues, socks, slippers)
Signs of guarding can vary from subtle to intense:
• Stiffening or freezing
• Eating faster when approached
• Growling, baring teeth, or snapping
• Blocking access to the item
• Giving hard stares
These behaviors are not “naughty” — they are your dog’s way of trying to protect a resource they feel is at risk.
Why Do Dogs Guard Things?
Resource guarding is rooted in survival instinct. In the wild, guarding food or safe spaces ensures survival. For domestic dogs, this instinct can surface due to:
• Insecurity or fear of loss
• Past experiences where items were repeatedly taken away
• Lack of predictability around mealtimes or toys
• Competition with other pets in the home
• Breed tendencies – Some breeds are more prone to guarding, especially those bred for watchfulness or protection
Even dogs raised with love can develop guarding behavior if they feel unsafe, rushed, or misunderstood.
What Not to Do
Many well-meaning dog parents unintentionally make things worse by:
• Scolding or punishing the dog
• Grabbing items forcefully
• “Testing” by taking food or toys away regularly
• Trying to show the dog “who’s boss”
These actions may escalate the fear and teach your dog that they’re right to be defensive, which can increase the intensity and frequency of guarding.
What You Can Do Instead
With empathy and strategy, resource guarding can be managed and improved. Here are some gentle, practical first steps:
• Avoid confrontations – Don’t reach into your dog’s space or food bowl.
• Trade, don’t take – Offer a high-value treat in exchange for the item.
• Build trust with predictability – Feed on a schedule and avoid surprising your dog during meals.
• Respect space – Teach kids and adults to give the dog space when eating or resting.
• Use enrichment to reduce anxiety – Puzzle feeders and calm chewing help release emotional tension.
When to Seek Expert Help
Guarding behavior should never be ignored—it’s a warning, not an attack. If your dog:
• Growls or snaps regularly when approached near food, toys, or spaces
• Shows increasing intensity of guarding over time
• Triggers fear or concern in your home
• Is guarding people or one family member excessively
…it’s time to Consult a Certified Canine Behaviorist.
Professionals can help you understand the root emotional cause, implement safe management strategies, and gradually teach your dog that there’s no need to guard—because nothing is being taken away unfairly.
Guarding Comes from Fear, Not Defiance
At its heart, resource guarding is about insecurity, not disobedience. Your dog is simply trying to protect what they feel they might lose. With understanding, training, and kindness, you can replace that fear with trust, safety, and peace.
