Is resource guarding a red flag?

Puppies guard resources due to a number of factors including genetics, breed, early environment, aversive training techniques, and the behavior of other pets in the home. Unfortunately, once the puppy shows signs of resource guarding, it is very difficult for owners to not inadvertently reinforce it. Plus, the guarding behaviors are likely to strengthen as they grow older. The sooner you treat your puppy’s resource guarding, the less likely they will exhibit more severe aggressive behavior as an adult. In research conducted by Lindsay Mehrkam’s we see that behavior modification is the most effective way of treating resource-related aggression. According to our resident CAAB Dr. Echterling-Savage, The best way to eliminate puppy guarding is to recognize the early signs right away and seek professional help. Behavior modification is a systematic approach to understanding and changing dog behavior through the application of learning theories, such as classical counterconditioning, operant conditioning, and learning theory. If your puppy’s resource guarding is considered severe, additional support from our Animal Behavior Experts may be necessary.

Dogs who behave like this don’t distinguish between people or animals who are going to take something away from them and anyone who’s just passing by. It only matters what they think might be a threat to their items. Dogs are responding to the trigger, not the actual action. This is one reason why resource guarding is problematic and potentially dangerous behavior in a pet. When left unchecked, resource guarding can become problematic, and even dangerous, behavior. Unfortunately, resource guarding, in some cases, leads to biting. Bestselling author and animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., notes that resource guarding in dogs is also known as “possessive aggression.” From a dog’s point of view, possession is nine-tenths of the law. Signs of resource guarding in dogs include stiffening their body over an item, a hard stare, “whale eye”, lifting their lips, low growling, and baring their teeth. Any dog can be prone to resource guarding, it’s not specific to one breed.