08/11/2025
My Unconventional Approach to Resource Guarding
This post is a long time coming. Years ago, I developed what I called a Trust-Based Approach to Resource Guarding.
The name still fits, but if I were naming it today, I would probably include Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) and/or Peacebuilding (ideas are welcome, drop me a comment!) in the name.
Quick caveat: working with resource guarding is nuanced and carries risk. Safety measures still apply, and like any approach, there are always limits. This is not a magic bullet. Anecdotally, I have had about 90 percent success with this protocol across all types of resource guarders (food, toys, other random objects like tea towels, mouse pads, remote controls, garbage etc).
The Protocol
Let's say for the purpose of this post, the dog guards bones.
Through the lens of Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), behaviour is the means ("tool") by which dogs, or humans, keep perceptions within preferred ranges. In this general behavioural theory, behavioural outputs control inputs, meaning the individual is acting to maintain the world as they want to perceive it.
For most dogs, and humans too, an important controlled perception is “keep humans (or other dogs) "x" distance from my resource.” For dogs who resource guard, that distance is simply a bit more than for dogs who do not.
As the dog chews their bone, they are monitoring for this perception. This is similar (same mechanism) as the homeostatic control of body temperature or heart rate.
If an individual is inside their reference range, an error occurs between the perceived and desired distance. The dog growls, snarls, or lunges to restore the perception i.e., get the person outside of their reference range. Once that is achieved, the error resolves.
Steps
1. Identify how far away you need to be for the dog to remain comfortable with the item, outside their reference range.
2. Start with a lower-value bone (in some cases you may need an entirely different category of items to start...adaptation for the individual is key).
3. Sit at a table or in a chair and make yourself comfortable. You might be there a while.
4. Your goal? Create a relaxed social vibe. Have something tasty, like cheese, chicken, or steak, with you. Talk, laugh, eat, and have the best time ever in your own little world. Do not pay attention to the dog, as your attention could create an error relating to their bone. For some individuals, you may need to face completely away or adjust other aspects of yourself. If possible, have a second person join you to make the scene feel natural.
5. Let things unfold organically.This may not happen the first time you set this up. In fact, it may not happen even the 10th time you set this up. Patience and persistence are key. The dog must feel fully in control. At some point, curiosity will draw them over to see what you are doing. When they approach, offer a small taste of your "tapas" or "feast" an a quick hello. I like to feign surprise (because I'm cheeky like that.) Then send them back to their bone "oh you don't want to have fun with us, you want your bone, silly!"
6. Repeat. Now that the social "scene" is something important to the dog, there is an internal conflict between two incompatible controlled perceptions:
- The first is maintaining distance from others around the bone.
- The second is staying close to the social scene.
Because the dog is in control, reorganization is able to occur. During reorganization the conflict is resolved. This can take on different forms depending on the individual:
- The dog may begin to trust people in proximity while eating their bone
- The dog may actively want to share the bone
- The dog may decide social hangouts are way more important than their bones and may lose interest in bones entirely
I hope this is helpful! Feel free to comment with any questions, or if you try it out let me know how it goes.
And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, stay safe in applying this. Approach this as an experiment vs a set of absolute rules and most importantly have fun. This is honestly one of the most transformative approaches for the human side of the leash that I apply. I’ve had clients in absolute hysterics applying this protocol.
❤️ Cat 🐈
