28/08/2025
RESOURCE GUARDING
With another resource guarding boy on the way in - we really need to talk about resource guarding. We are seeing far too many dogs where the problem has
been allowed to develop (no offence intended - often people don’t know what the signs are until it’s become a real issue)
Resource guarding is when a dog becomes defensive in order to keep you away from a particular item or “resource” that they treasure. The resource can be food, treats, toys, a place, (like a bed or favourite chair), or occasionally even a person. The behaviour will involve growling, snarling, barking over a precious item - and may result in a bite if you try and remove that item from them
Resource guarding is a completely natural behaviour for your dog, and an important survival strategy in wild / feral dogs where resources are limited.
In a home environment it is definitely a problem behaviour and WE as their owners need to educate our dogs that they don’t need to become defensive about food. There are lots of theories on why it starts, but every Goldie owner needs to understand it’s not uncommon in the breed and it’s part of your job to make sure you look out for any signs and manage them appropriately
Prevention is always better than cure, so if you have recently bought / adopted a Goldie - even if your dog isn’t showing any obvious signs of resource guarding, it’s important to reduce the chances of them developing problems around food or toys in the future.
TO STOP FOOD GUARDING BEFORE IT STARTS
(If your dog is already guarding move to the next section “ONCE RESOUCE GUARDING HAS ALREADY STARTED”)
You will need some high value treats.
As your dog is finishing a meal, approach close to where they are eating, drop some high value treats near to their food bowl and calmly move away.
Allow your dog to eat the treats and then return to finishing what is in their bowl (don’t touch their bowl - you are aiming to reward not deprive)
Repeat this a couple of times over a few days,
always moving away and allowing your dog to eat the treats then return to their food
Over time you may see that as you approach your dog, they look up as they anticipate a treat arriving. This is a positive sign that they see you approaching as a good thing.
As your dog starts to anticipate the treats, you can then approach while they are eating and drop the treats slightly closer to their food bowl before moving away. Once they’re comfortable with you dropping the treats closer, you can step it up again.
At mealtimes, keep back some of their food.
Wait until they have finished their food then approach and add another small handful to their bowl.
Let them finish it completely then approach again and add a little more.
Once the dog is completely comfortable you can step it up to picking up their empty bowl and adding more food to it before you put it down again. They will associate the food bowl being picked up with positive rewards .
You will start to observe your dog looking for you to come and add more food - learning that you are the provider of their food and pose no threat to the food they have. Approaching and rewarding will show your dog that someone coming close to them whilst they are eating is not threatening
PREVENT RESOURCE GUARDING WITH TOYS
You can also use the same technique to prevent your dog guarding their toys or chews.
When your dog is settled with their chew or toy, place a few treats down on the floor near to where they are lying and give them the opportunity to leave the resource to take the treats.
Move away as they do so, then approach them again and put down another treat nearby.
Repeat this a few times and once your dog is comfortable, put down a few treats and then pick
up the toy/chew.
By using positive methods your dog will continue to associate you being near their resources with positive things happening, like treats.
Train the “leave it” and “place” commands early so that you are able to move your dog away from an item they shouldn’t have without confrontation
ONCE RESOUCE GUARDING HAS ALREADY STARTED
If your dog is already showing some resource guarding behaviour, it is important to try and stop
it from becoming any worse.
The more a dog repeats a behaviour, the more likely they are to keep doing it, so we recommend getting in there early and trying to manage the situation.
**If your dog is already displaying extreme guarding behaviour we would recommend contacting
your vet who can recommend a qualified behaviourist who will be able to help you address the issue safely. Do not wait until someone gets bitten**
1. Make sure all family members and everyone who visits know never to approach or interrupt your dog if they are eating or have a chew / high value item
2. As far as possible, hide or remove any items that your dog may steal and guard so that you do not have to confront your dog. If you do have to remove something from them, make sure it’s an exchange rather than just taking something away as that will simply re-enforce your dogs need to guard
3. It is important that you never punish or tell your dog off for resource guarding as this will add more stress to the situation and may cause their behaviour to worsen.
4. When you are trying to exchange items with your dog, put down some food or treats a good distance away so that your dog has to move. This will give you the time and distance to safely pick up the item. If you can wait to remove the item until the dog is in
a different room entirely, that’s even better. Litter pickers can be very helpful if you cannot get the dog to move far enough away from an item you have to get off them
5. If the dog isn’t going to be hurt by what they are guarding - let them have it and remind yourself to manage their environment in future. “Butting heads” with the dog over the item is likely to result in a poor outcome
6. If you have very young children, and your dog is seriously guarding, consider contacting a rescue asap. Resource guarding is rarely truly fixed once it’s established - it can only be made predictable and manageable. And sadly - small children are rarely either predictable or manageable so the risk to both kids and dog is just too high.
Remember every dog is different with their resource guarding, and if your dog has bitten or is causing serious concern with their behaviour then we would recommend contacting a certified behaviourist to help asap. These precious dogs need us to take responsibility for their training and boundaries - and this is a problem that absolutely can be prevented, or nipped in the bud when it first starts. They need you to make sure things aren’t allowed to develop to the point you’re calling us asking for a rescue space (but we’re always happy to have a chat / offer advice if you’re having struggles)
Pic of the master guarder who even liked to guard her own vomit for tax
