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❓"Fixing" Resource Guarding

Published 5 months ago • 1 min read

The Truth About Resource Guarding

Dogs who guard things they have—or things they want to have—are displaying what we call resource guarding.

For most dogs, resource guarding is either part of who they are — often influenced by genetics — or it simply isn’t something they do. In dogs who do guard, we typically can reduce but not erase the underlying anxiety or instinct to protect resources, unless it's addressed very early in life.

What we can do is teach these dogs the skills they need to feel safe around resources, giving them communication skills that work without aggression — and just as importantly, teach the dogs around them to give space and respect what isn’t theirs.

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It’s a rainy Saturday morning here, and I handed out a Bully stick to each of my dogs—both of whom guard food.
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Do they still guard? Yes, in certain contexts. But they can now coexist peacefully because we’ve taught both dogs that they are safe and how to communicate when they feel anxious.
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Riker chooses to take his treat into an open crate, and Jubilee prefers the couch. Both feel safe and content, knowing the other won’t try to steal what they have.

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🎧 Tune in: Want more? Check out the latest podcast episode.​

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👉 Want help putting it all together? Explore my free resources below, or message me to learn how we can work together.

With care,
​Christina

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2738 Holden Corso Rd, Nanaimo, BC v9x 1n5
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Positive Dog

Christina Young, BSc, CDBC, PCBC-A

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