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Why dogs resource guard (and what you can do about it)
From humans to dogs to lions in the wild, guarding valuable resources is completely natural. But when your dog growls at you over a chew or protects their favourite toy like it’s gold dust, it can feel anything but normal.
You might find yourself worrying about safety. Wondering how to fix it - without making things worse. Or, if you’ve got a puppy, how to prevent guarding in the first place (before your slipper collection disappears for good).
In this blog, we’ll uncover the truth about resource guarding in dogs—what causes it, how to spot the signs, what not to do, and how to use The Power of Play to build trust and turn things around.
What is resource guarding in dogs?
Resource guarding is a term used to describe a dog who defensively protects something they value - that could be guarding toys, food, space or even people from either people or dogs. The early warning signs can be subtle like anxious looks or side eyes to full blown growling, snapping, and biting.
Whilst it’s normal to want to protect things that are valuable, it can be dangerous if unaddressed and means the dog is in a high state of stress and vigilance.
Resource guarding can be resolved through both training and management and we’ll give you plenty of pointers in this blog to help you find a route forward.
Signs of guarding:
Signs of resource guarding can range from easy to miss signals right through to outbursts that may feel unpredictable and even scary. Learning the early signs can help you spot them before things escalate so you can put a plan in place to improve things.
Not sure what resource guarding looks like? Here’s a breakdown of the most common signs, from subtle to serious.
Low level:
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Freeze or go stiff
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Hypervigilant when in possession
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Side eye or whale eye (where whites of the eye are visible)
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Orient away from you
Mid level:
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Hard stare (keep away warning)
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Cover item with body or paws
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Run off with item
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Swallow item
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Pace with item
High level:
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Lunge
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Bark
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Growl
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Bare teeth
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Snap
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Bite
If you notice the early warning signs then you can put management in place to prevent instances occurring so you can keep everyone safe and crucially help your dog avoid moving into a state where they feel they need to guard.
Learn how to use play to increase your dog's confidence here.
What not to do if your dog guards
When you're faced with guarding behaviour, it’s totally normal to feel frustrated, worried, or even afraid. But how you respond in those moments can make all the difference - not just to your dog’s behaviour, but to your relationship.
Remember: guarding is communication. It’s not your dog being ‘dominant’ or ‘naughty’ - it’s your dog communicating they’re struggling.
Here’s what to avoid:
🚫 Don’t punish your dog for guarding
Growling, snapping or even biting can feel scary - but these are just your dog’s way of saying ‘I don’t feel safe.’ Punishing them for expressing that only teaches them to hide their feelings - which makes things riskier, not safer. That growl shows you trouble’s ahead if you don’t listen, so don’t punish it.
🚫 Don’t grab or snatch the item
Trying to take something by force (no matter how calmly you think you're doing it) can escalate guarding behaviour over time. Your dog learns you’re a threat to the things they value - and that they need to guard harder next time.
🚫 Don’t rely on outdated advice
You might have heard things like “put your hand in their bowl so they learn to trust you.” In reality, this only makes dogs more anxious and defensive. Respect is earned through positive experiences, not confrontation.
Instead, take a deep breath, observe the signals, and choose a proactive, positive route forward. With the right support, guarding can absolutely improve - and may even disappear entirely.
Which breeds are prone to resource guarding?
Any dog can resource guard, but some dog breeds are more genetically disposed to it. Gundog breeds such as Spaniels, Retrievers and Doodles as well as terriers and guarding breeds like German Shepherds and Dobermanns.
Dogs who’ve been bred to carry and retrieve things (gundogs) or who’ve been bred to guard have an inherent instinct to do these things.
That doesn’t mean that all of these breeds will resource guard. But it does mean that teaching your dog that you can be trusted and that it’s safe to give beloved items up makes good things happen. And this is true for all dogs - whether prone to guarding behaviours or not.
What triggers resource guarding in dogs?
Resource guarding can be triggered by many things, including:
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Genetics
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Early life experiences (with breeder or in their home)
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Health (pain or ill health)
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Fear/anxiety
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Human behaviour
This isn’t about blaming anybody but it’s about understanding the feelings and genetics beneath the behaviour so you can address it effectively.
How to prevent resource guarding in puppies
Contrary to some bad advice videos on TikTok and other social media, don’t put your hand in their food bowl or eat a biscuit before you feed your puppy! That’ll only teach your pup that you’re not to be trusted around food.
The best way to prevent resource guarding is to help your puppy feel safe from risk and to teach them to trade or drop items.
Try playing Toy Switch for an easy and fun way to begin teaching a drop.
Tempting as it is when panic sets in to wrestle your beloved favourite shoe out of your puppy’s mouth, this can actually lead to your puppy learning they need to protect things they treasure.
Instead, offer them a trade of something good in return for dropping the item you’d like them to give up. That could be enticing them with a game with their favourite irresistible tuggy or offering them a tasty treat that trumps the shoe in their jaws!
Then work on teaching your puppy a solid drop, so they learn that when they give things up, even better things happen! And keep things you’d rather they didn’t get hold of out of reach - tidy shoes away and put food and other items up high where your puppy isn’t lured by temptation.
How do I stop my dog resource guarding?
If your dog is already guarding items, people or food, the best step is to call in professional help from an ABTC registered behaviourist in the UK or an IAABC behaviourist in the USA. It’s really important to avoid choosing a behaviourist or trainer who uses aversive methods because this can often make behaviours much worse.
Learn more about positive reinforcement training and why it’s better here.
In the meantime, practise prevention as much as possible. Take note of the things that trigger your dog into defence mode and limit the possibilities of this happening.
Managing resource guarding: What to do (& what to avoid)
If your dog is already showing signs of resource guarding, there are safe, effective ways to manage things in the short term while setting the stage for long-term change.
Here’s how to protect everyone’s wellbeing, including your dog’s:
1. Prevent rehearsals of the guarding behaviour
The more your dog practises guarding, the more established it becomes. Your number one priority is to avoid putting your dog in situations where they feel the need to defend a resource. That means:
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Feed in a separate space, away from people and other pets.
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Remove high-value chews or toys (especially when guests are visiting).
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Don’t take things away directly. If you must retrieve something dangerous, trade up - toss high-value treats away from you, so your dog can move safely away from the item.
2. Manage the environment to avoid conflict
If your dog guards space or people, use barriers (like baby gates or crates) to prevent unwanted interactions. If your dog guards food or chews from other pets, feed them in different rooms. Setups like these create safety, reduce stress, and give everyone a break from hyper-vigilance.
3. Limit interactions with children around resources
Kids can be unpredictable and don’t always spot the warning signs. If your dog is prone to guarding, it’s safest to avoid letting children play with or approach your dog when they have something they value. It’s not about blame - it’s about trust and prevention.
4. Don’t test or “challenge” your dog’s behaviour
You might be tempted to see what happens ‘if…’ but please don’t. This isn’t the time to practise drop cues, pick up bowls mid-meal, or wait them out when they’re guarding. These approaches can damage trust and trigger more intense reactions. Instead, stick to simple, safe swaps (like in Toy Switch) or avoid the situation entirely.
5. Say no to punishment-based methods
Correcting, scolding, or using aversives may suppress the behaviour in the moment - but it won’t change how your dog feels. And that’s what matters most. Dogs who are punished for guarding may become more unpredictable or quicker to escalate, because their anxiety has been confirmed: they’re not safe.
The safest, kindest way forward is to build trust, remove the pressure, and work with an accredited, force-free behaviourist who understands your dog’s breed, background, and individual needs.
Focus on building trust with your dog
Whether your dog guards food, toys or people, one of the most effective ways to create lasting change is by building trust. And one of the best ways to do that is interactive play.
Resource guarding often stems from fear - fear of losing something important. But through play, you can show your dog that you’re on the same team. That you’re safe to be around. And that giving things up doesn’t mean losing out, it means more good stuff is coming.
At Tug-E-Nuff, we call this The Power of Play. It’s more than fun (though it’s really fun!) - it’s a powerful way to build connection, confidence and cooperation.
Games like tug help your dog learn that having you nearby makes things better. And when you introduce structured play routines, you’re not just teaching cues - you’re helping your dog feel secure enough to let go.
Here are a few ways to use play to build confidence and trust:
1. Play Toy Switch to build positive drop habits
By switching between two identical toys and introducing a cue (like ‘swap’ or ‘leave’), you teach your dog that giving up one toy leads to the chance to chase and grab another. It’s a game of trust - not loss. And it’s far safer than trying to teach ‘leave’ with one prized toy.
2. Use toys to give, not take
Sometimes, dogs learn to guard because they’re used to things being taken away. Flip that experience. Bring out a toy as a reward - after a great recall, for checking in with you, or for simply choosing calm behaviour around distractions. This reinforces that your presence equals good things.
Try playing hide and seek and teach your dog to come looking for you for their reward!
3. Teach clear play cues
Knowing when games start and stop creates predictability, which reduces frustration and guarding. Use a cue to signal the start and end of play (like ‘all done’), then immediately offer something else - like a treat scatter, a chew, or a cue they know and love, like ‘go sniff.’
Use our tug on cue game to teach your dog when play starts and stop the game with a rewarding scatter of food they love.
4. Make toys a shared, not solo, experience
Toys left lying around can quickly become ‘claimed’ items - something to obsess over, stash, or protect. Instead, keep toys tucked away and only bring them out for interactive play sessions. This keeps the focus on you and turns the toy into a bonding experience, not a possession.
In short, don’t leave things to chance.
Be proactive about managing situations while you seek professional help to support your dog and your household.
Ready to build trust through play?
If you're not sure where to start, our Toy Quest quiz can help. Answer a few quick questions about your dog’s personality and preferences - and we’ll recommend the perfect Tug-E-Nuff toys to start building confidence, connection and calm.
