How to Stop Food Aggression and Resource Guarding in Dogs

Resource guarding occurs when a dog uses warnings or threats to protect things they value from people or other animals. It is a normal behavior in dogs, but it can be a dangerous one that carries a high risk of bites when it becomes severe or unpredictable. Therefore, it’s important to take measures to prevent, manage, and modify the behavior.

It is not unusual for dogs to guard things they value from each other. In a group, dogs may attempt to take items or issue warnings to each other, but then one of them backs down and everything is fine. This is normal behavior.

In a home environment, however, resource guarding can be dangerous. Some dogs guard not only food and treats, but spaces or even favorite people. Children can be especially vulnerable because they are closer to the dog’s eye level and might not understand personal space or warning signs of aggression. Children should be closely supervised and taught to leave dogs alone when they are eating, chewing, or resting.

Furthermore, resource guarding can be problematic if the dog has gotten ahold of toxic food or another hazardous object. Thus, the guarding behavior should be addressed for both the dog’s and others’ safety.

Dogs decide what is valuable enough to them to guard, and often that includes not only food, but toys and other objects, like stolen socks. You can train your dog not to guard these objects by teaching them to “trade up” for something better. If you practice with many levels of trades, your dog will always expect something better in return for what they’re giving up, and they will gladly relinquish the guarded object.  You can also teach “leave it” so you can take items more safely.

Food aggression, a form of resource guarding, can be prevented by teaching the dog that someone approaching when they are eating means that even more delicious food is coming. This preventative exercise is great for puppies and dogs who show only extremely minor signs of resource guarding, like eating a little faster as you approach. Use it very sparingly so that mealtime remains relaxing. Putting your hand in your dog’s food dish when they eat or frequently taking the food away can create resource guarding.

Warning: If you see any signs of resource guarding more significant than just eating a bit faster (hunkering down over the bowl, “whale eye”, growling, lunging), you are no longer in prevention mode. Consult a professional to avoid accidentally causing more serious resource guarding or being bitten.

1. While your dog is eating from their bowl, walk past at least six feet away and toss a small handful (3-5) of their favorite treats. Do not stop; do not focus any attention on their bowl. Just toss the treats and keep moving.
2. As long as you see no signs of guarding, repeat this exercise at a few times a week, gradually moving closer until you can drop the treats into the bowl and your dog shows no concern.

To maintain this trust, continue this practice randomly as your dog learns that sometimes when you approach, you’re bringing something really delicious.

First, if guarding is a new behavior, visit a veterinarian for a health check. As with any sudden behavior change, the dog might have a medical issue that needs to be addressed.

The training used to modify guarding behavior looks similar to the preventative training, but it carries high risk of a bite or making the problem worse. Behavior professionals often work with dogs in “protected contact” to mitigate this risk. If your dog has bitten or threatened to bite over resources, or if your dog is guarding resource that are more difficult to manage like people or common spaces, we highly recommend consulting a certified trainer, behavior consultant, or veterinary behaviorist with experience in treating aggression.

1. Manage feeding time. Feed in a crate, exercise pen, or confined in a separate room. Make sure everyone knows not to disturb the dog. Let the dog out of the space before retrieving the bowl.
2. Never reach toward a resource the dog is guarding. If a high value item falls on the floor, don’t try to race your dog to it. Your dog is faster. Use high value treats to “trade up.”
3. Never punish guarding behavior. Growls are warnings. Let your dog know they work and that they don’t need to escalate by calmly moving away.
4. Supervise children closely around any dog who guards resources. Children may not recognize the subtle early warning signs, so an adult should always be present to ensure safety. A child should never be responsible for feeding a dog who guards food.

Disclaimer: Best Friends Animal Society is not responsible for any injuries to anyone using the techniques described in this article. Any person using the techniques described here does so at their own risk.