How to Master Resource Guarding in Your Pack
Content
Why and How Does Resource Guarding Arise?
Resource guarding is an instinctive behaviour in which a dog tries to secure something important to itself: food, toys, resting places, or the attention of its humans. This behaviour is a natural survival instinct from the time when dogs had to fight for limited resources in the wild.
In a multi-dog household, this behaviour often intensifies. The reason: the more dogs live together, the more frequently competitive situations arise. Even if sufficient food, toys, or space are available, the desire to secure one’s own position in the group can lead to conflicts.
Even if the dogs otherwise get along well, conflicts can occur. Individual differences between the dogs play a role: each dog has its own personality. Some dogs are naturally more assertive or have more self-confidence, while others are rather insecure or reserved. Such differences can intensify conflicts when resources must be shared.
Unclear hierarchies within the group contribute to this. Some dogs may feel insecure and try to strengthen their position by guarding resources. Even if sufficient resources are available, the impression of scarcity can trigger conflicts, for example, when all dogs want to access the same bowl or toy at the same time.
Stress or uncertainty can exacerbate the behaviour. Stressful situations, such as changes in the environment or unclear rules, can intensify the problem. Dogs that feel insecure are more likely to defend resources to gain a sense of control. In households with multiple dogs, a clear structure is particularly important. Without firm rituals and rules, uncertainties may arise that encourage this behaviour.
Recognising resource guarding and distinguishing it from normal behaviour
Resource guarding is not malicious behaviour, but rather normal dog behaviour that can be managed through targeted measures. In the following sections, we show you how to handle this topic with confidence.
Resource guarding often manifests in clearly recognisable behaviours. However, it is important to distinguish between normal behaviour, which may occasionally occur in multi-dog households, and problematic behaviour that leads to serious conflicts.
Typical signs of genuine resource guarding
- Growling: A common warning signal with which the dog indicates: “This belongs to me, stay away.”
- Fixating: The dog stares intensely at the other dog, often without blinking, to emphasise its claim.
- Body language: The dog becomes stiff, possibly lowers its head or flattens its ears. This posture signals caution or a threat.
- Threatening gestures: Baring teeth, quiet growling, or clearly standing up to appear larger.
- Attack: In severe cases, short, targeted attacks may occur, in which the dog attempts to drive away the perceived “intruder.”
- Blocking: The dog deliberately positions itself between the resource and the other dog to prevent access.
Normal vs. problematic behaviour
Not every form of resource guarding is immediately a problem. Many dogs occasionally display mild defensive behaviour, particularly in unfamiliar situations. The key is to assess the intensity and frequency of the behaviour.
Normal behaviour
Short-term growling or fixating when another dog comes too close is normal. There is no aggressive attack, merely a warning. The behaviour can be easily interrupted by clear rules or distraction. The dogs calm down quickly and return to relaxed coexistence.
Problematic behaviour
Frequent or exaggerated reactions, even to harmless approaches, indicate a problem. The dog displays aggressive behaviour, such as jumping up, snapping, or biting. Resource guarding affects an increasing number of objects or situations (e.g. food, toys, and attention). Conflicts escalate regularly and lead to injuries or lasting tension within the pack.
Normal defensive behaviour can often be defused with management and training. Problematic behaviour, on the other hand, requires targeted measures to ensure the safety of all parties involved. The sooner you recognise and address the behaviour, the better you can control it and create harmonious conditions in your pack.
Training tips for resource guarding
Getting resource guarding under control requires patience, an understanding of your dog’s behaviour, and a well-considered approach. The right mix of prevention, targeted training, and good management can help avoid conflicts and promote harmonious living in your pack.
Prevention: Avoiding conflicts from the start
Fixed feeding times, sleeping places, and clear rituals create security and avoid feelings of competition. Ensure that each dog has its own feeding spot, toys, and resting areas to minimise disputes.
Treat all dogs equally to avoid rivalries. Favouring one dog can intensify conflicts. Watch for early signs of resource guarding and intervene promptly before the behaviour becomes entrenched. Positive socialisation with other dogs, even at puppy stage, can help promote relaxed behaviour.
Feed each dog in a separate room or at a sufficient distance from one another. This prevents arguments over food. Assign personal areas to each dog, e.g. resting spots that the others are not allowed to enter. Clear boundaries create security. Only give desirable resources such as toys under your supervision and watch the dogs’ body language. Remove the resource as soon as tension arises.
Training: Working specifically on resource guarding
Teach your dog that the proximity of another dog or person to its resource means something positive. Example: Give your dog a treat when you approach its food bowl. This way, it associates your approach with a reward rather than an impending loss.
Instead of taking a resource away from your dog, offer an equivalent or better alternative (e.g. swap a toy for a treat). This reduces fear of loss and builds trust. Praise your dog when it remains relaxed while another dog is near its resource. This reinforces the desired behaviour.
Practice in controlled situations where another dog or person approaches a resource without your dog reacting. Gradually increase the difficulty and reward positive behaviour.
Reward both dogs simultaneously when they are relaxed near a resource. This teaches them that the other’s proximity is something positive. Example: Pause for a moment when the dogs are sitting side by side, and give them both a treat while they remain relaxed.
Training resource sharing deliberately
Teach the dogs that they can take turns. Let one dog use a toy while the other waits, for example, and reward both. Support the behaviour verbally (e.g. “Your turn!”) and especially reward the waiting dog if it remains relaxed.
During activities such as tug play or other group interactions, it should be clear that you are leading the game. This reduces rivalries among the dogs. Try not to take sides for any of the dogs when a dispute over resources arises. Intervene calmly by resolving the situation and removing the resource without punishing.
Avoiding common mistakes
If resources such as food scraps or favourite toys are left lying around unsupervised, conflicts are inevitable. Therefore, do not leave coveted resources freely accessible.
Excessive, premature or unnecessary intervention can worsen the group dynamic. Observe first how the dogs handle the situation themselves before you intervene. Overlooked tensions or threatening gestures can lead to unexpected conflicts. Pay attention to signals such as staring, stiffness or quiet growling.
If a conflict is imminent, distract both dogs’ attention, e.g. with a signal like “Here!”. This prevents the situation from escalating. Do not favour any dog. Equal treatment reduces the feeling of competition.
Punishment reinforces insecurity and can exacerbate the problem. Better: work on building trust and positive associations between the dogs.
Also interesting in relation to this post: Food jealousy/food aggression in dogs: training tips
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