Resource Guarding– A Behavior That Doesn’t Have to Be Wrong
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I recently came across a post that was shared in a dog group I’m part of, with the caption “Everyone should read this.” It was a well-written and passionate text, and I can see why many were moved by it. Especially those of us who work daily to help dogs and their humans find better communication and connection.
And yes, I agree with parts of it. Resource guarding can escalate. It can become dangerous. And absolutely, leadership, safety, and structure play a role.
But saying that trading doesn't help, or that resource guarding is not a behavior in itself, is not only incomplete, it's misleading.
It starts to hurt when resource guarding is reduced to a lack of impulse control or when positive methods are mocked as “just throwing meatballs at the problem.” It’s not that simple. And it’s not that superficial.
The dog is not misbehaving; it’s communicating
Resource guarding is not a sign of rebellion or disrespect. It’s a natural, evolutionary behavior found in all social species, humans included. It’s not inherently dangerous, but it can become dangerous if we ignore it, provoke it, or misunderstand it.
When a dog growls over food, a toy, or a resting place, it’s rarely about trying to take control. It’s trying to feel safe. It’s rarely about dominance, it’s often about uncertainty.
Trading is not weakness; it’s communication
Teaching a dog to trade is not about “giving in” or “giving yourself away.” It’s about showing the dog that it doesn’t need to defend what it values. We teach them: “When you let go, nothing bad happens. In fact- something good happens.”
That builds trust. And it works.
Both practical experience and research support that reward-based training, including trading exercises, reduces stress and aggression. It’s a core part of modern rehab protocols for resource guarding, like BAT and Fear Free.
Eating in peace is a right, not a privilege
We teach children not to snatch food from others. The same respect should apply to our dogs.
Letting a dog eat in peace is not about letting it “take over.” It’s about showing: “I respect you – you don’t need to defend yourself from me.” If a dog growls by its food bowl, it’s rarely the root issue. It’s often a symptom of a lack of safety, and not a leadership problem.
Yes, to boundaries, clarity, and responsibility
Of course, dogs need structure. I fully agree that safety doesn’t mean always getting what you want, it means clear expectations and consistent communication.
However, it becomes a problem when positive training is ridiculed or when it’s implied that such methods lead to dogs being euthanized. That’s a harsh and, in my view, unfair conclusion.
Those of us who work with rewards know it’s not about letting the dog run the show. It ’s about contact, consistency, communication, and building a relationship where the dog doesn’t need to rely on defense.
Holistic doesn’t mean “No Treats”
I truly appreciated the final part of the original post I read. It pointed out something important: we need to look at the whole picture.
We must consider:
The behavior – what the dog is actually doing
The environment – what triggers or reinforces it
The individual – breed, nerve structure, history, emotions
That’s absolutely true. But when it’s said that “you won’t change the dynamic with a treat,” there’s a contradiction. Because rewards are part of the dynamic. They’re part of how we reshape experiences, and experience influences emotion, which drives behavior.
This isn’t a battle between clarity and treats. We need both. We need boundaries and relationships. Structure and safety.
In Conclusion
Safety is not the absence of boundaries. And safety is not about avoiding conflict at all costs.
True safety comes from clarity, consistency, and connection. From communicating with your dog – not at your dog. From helping your dog feel: “I see you. You don’t need to defend yourself from me.”
Resource guarding is not about power. It’s about a longing to feel safe.
And it’s our responsibility to make that safety real.
