Max, a two-year-old Labrador loves fetch and cuddles, but his behaviour is concerning. Whenever his guardian, Sarah, approaches him while he91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s chewing a bone or eating, Max growls and snaps. This is known as resource guarding.
What is resource guarding?
Resource guarding is a natural behaviour in dogs in which they protect food, toys, bones, or even resting spots. While some possessiveness is normal, excessive guarding can lead to behavioural issues. In Max91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s case, his growling signals he91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s guarding his bone. He views the bone as valuable, and Sarah91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s approach feels threatening.
Resource guarding is not about aggression for the sake of being aggressive 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” it91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s an instinctual survival mechanism rooted in a dog91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s desire to protect their resources from perceived threats.
Why do dogs resource guard?
Resource guarding often stems from past experiences, insecurity, or scarcity. Dogs that have been neglected or underfed may develop a stronger need to protect their resources. Some breeds are also more prone to guarding.
Max, for example, was rescued from a home where food was scarce, contributing to his protective behaviour. Sarah recognized that Max91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s behaviour was driven by a need for security and not aggression. Understanding this was key to resolving the issue.
Rehabilitation management and training
Sarah knew she needed to intervene to ensure that Max91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s behaviour didn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t escalate.
Environment management: To prevent escalation, Sarah began managing the environment by giving Max space while he was eating or chewing his bone. This meant not forcing interaction when he was engaged with his prized possessions. For now, Sarah avoided putting herself in situations where Max would feel threatened, allowing him to eat in peace.
Positive reinforcement: Max needed to associate Sarah91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s presence near his resources with something positive. Sarah would toss Max a treat when she was near his food bowl or bone. Over time, Max began to understand that Sarah91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s approach meant good things, not threats.
The key was consistency 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ” Sarah repeated this exercise regularly, gradually getting closer to Max as he remained calm.
Trade for better things: Another technique Sarah used was teaching Max to trade his resource for something of equal or higher value. For instance, she would hold a treat or toy in front of him when he was chewing his bone and encourage him to drop it in exchange for the new item. This taught Max that giving up his bone didn91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™t mean losing it forever, but rather, he could get something even better.
Desensitization: Sarah also worked on desensitizing Max to her presence. She would sit at a distance while Max ate or chewed his bone, gradually moving closer over time without disturbing him. The goal was for Max to feel more comfortable with Sarah being near his resources without feeling the need to guard them.
The Result
Over several weeks, Max became more relaxed when Sarah approached him while he was eating or chewing. The growls turned into curious glances, and eventually, Max no longer felt the need to guard his resources. Through a combination of patience, positive reinforcement, and consistent training, Sarah was able to reduce Max91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s resource-guarding behaviour significantly.
While Max91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s story is unique, it serves as a reminder that resource guarding is a common issue many dog guardians face. With understanding and proper management, even the most protective pups can learn to share their resources in a safe and positive way.
