Resource guarding is a natural instinct for dogs, stemming from their wild ancestors’ need to protect valuable assets like food and territory for survival. While this behavior is adaptive in the wild, it can be problematic in domestic settings, particularly when directed towards humans. Resource guarding can manifest in various ways, from subtle behaviors like moving away with a prized possession to overt aggression such as growling, snapping, or biting. The intensity and targets of this guarding behavior can differ significantly among dogs, with some guarding specific items like bones or toys, while others may guard stolen goods or, commonly, their food.
For many dog owners, managing food guarding doesn’t necessarily require intensive intervention. Simple precautions, such as feeding the dog in a separate, secure location or ensuring the dog has ample food to feel secure, can be effective. Owners may also choose to never take away food or items from their dogs, thus avoiding potential conflict. However, the situation becomes significantly more precarious when children are present. Children’s unpredictable behavior and inability to recognize a dog’s warning signals increase the risk of bites. Furthermore, some dogs guard food that is accessible in common areas, like tables, counters, or even dropped food, making it nearly impossible to avoid triggers and manage the behavior safely without professional guidance.
Prevention and Early Intervention
Puppies, especially those from litters where resources are scarce, are particularly susceptible to developing guarding behaviors. Competition for food with littermates can establish a pattern of assertive behavior that, if not addressed, can become ingrained. For new puppy or adult dog owners, implementing preventative measures is crucial. Hand-feeding a new dog several meals upon arrival can be a beneficial first step. This involves offering kibble one piece at a time while speaking calmly and offering gentle strokes. If the dog displays any signs of stress or apprehension, this method should be discontinued. If the dog remains comfortable, gradually progress to having the dog eat from a bowl placed on your lap, continuing to offer praise and physical contact. Eventually, place the bowl on the floor and periodically drop a high-value treat into it while the dog is eating. This consistent positive association with your presence during meal times can help prevent the development of guarding tendencies.
Seeking Professional Guidance
It is critical to understand that if you suspect your dog may bite or has a history of biting, attempting to resolve resource guarding independently is not advisable and can be dangerous. In such cases, seeking professional help is paramount. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB or ACAAB) or board-certified veterinary behaviorists (Dip ACVB) are the most qualified professionals to consult. If these specialists are unavailable, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) with specific experience and education in treating aggression can be a suitable alternative. It’s important to verify their qualifications, as aggression treatment expertise is not a mandatory component of all CPDT certifications.
If, during desensitization and counterconditioning exercises, your dog appears stressed, refuses to eat, or continues to guard, cease the exercises immediately and consult a professional. Progress halts or plateaus are also indicators that professional intervention is necessary.
Understanding Treatment: Desensitization and Counterconditioning
The primary methods for treating food guarding involve desensitization and counterconditioning. These techniques, while effective, require patience and careful execution. The process is broken down into stages, and progression to the next stage is only recommended when the dog exhibits relaxed behavior and no signs of aggression. It’s essential to recognize a dog’s relaxed body language—including posture, breathing, and tail movement—to accurately assess their emotional state during exercises. Signs of escalating anxiety or aggression to monitor include stiffness, gulping food, freezing, growling, staring, snapping, snarling, biting, or chasing. If any of these signs appear, stop the exercise and seek professional help. For safety, especially during initial stages, tethering the dog to a sturdy object can provide an added layer of security.
Before beginning any exercises, prepare numerous small, highly desirable treats that the dog does not typically receive. The goal is to create a positive association, convincing the dog that your approach during meals signifies the arrival of even better rewards.
Treatment Stages for Food Guarding
Stage One: Begin by standing a few feet away from your dog as they eat from a bowl on the floor. Maintain a conversational tone and periodically toss a special treat towards the bowl. Continue this until the dog finishes eating. Repeat this for ten consecutive meals, ensuring the dog eats in a relaxed manner before advancing. If the dog leaves the bowl to seek treats, ignore them until they return to eating.
Stage Two: As the dog eats, approach one step closer while tossing a treat and then immediately step back. Gradually decrease the distance over successive meals until you are within two feet of the bowl. Maintain this proximity for ten relaxed meals before proceeding.
Stage Three: Approach the dog, say “What have you got there?” in a conversational tone, and stand next to the bowl. Drop a special treat into the bowl and then walk away. Repeat this until the dog eats relaxedly for ten meals, then move to the next stage.
Stage Four: Approach the dog and, while saying “What have you got there?”, hold a special treat near the bowl. Encourage the dog to take the treat from your hand, then walk away. Gradually increase the proximity of your hand to the bowl over subsequent meals until you can hold the treat directly beside the bowl. Complete ten relaxed meals at this proximity before moving on.
Stage Five: Approach the dog, touch their bowl with one hand while offering a special treat with the other. Continue this for ten relaxed meals.
Stage Six: Pick up the dog’s bowl, place a treat inside, and return it to the floor. Gradually increase the height at which you lift the bowl, eventually lifting it to waist height. Then, practice picking up the bowl, adding a treat, and returning it to the floor from a table or counter.
Stage Seven: Universal Application
This final stage involves having all adult family members repeat stages one through six, ensuring the dog remains comfortable with each individual. Dogs must learn that these positive associations apply to everyone. This gradual, positive reinforcement approach helps dogs associate people approaching their food bowl with the arrival of desirable treats, rather than perceiving it as a threat.
Troubleshooting and Management
If kibble is not a viable option, ensure the hand-off treats are consistently more appealing than the food in the bowl. If using a different diet (raw, homemade, canned), complete the exercises with kibble first, then repeat with the preferred food, always maintaining the hierarchy of treat desirability. For dogs who eat too quickly, specialized slow-feeder bowls can be utilized.
Beyond training sessions, careful management is essential to prevent aggressive incidents. Keep others away from the dog during meals, especially children. If guarding from children is a concern, professional intervention is mandatory. For visitors, remove all food items from the area or confine the dog to a separate part of the house. Be aware that dogs may guard food placed on elevated surfaces.
What to Avoid
Punishing or intimidating a resource-guarding dog is counterproductive and dangerous. Such actions can escalate the guarding behavior and damage the human-animal bond. The most effective and safe approach is to alter the dog’s emotional response through desensitization and counterconditioning, fostering a positive association with people approaching their food.
