Resource Guarding It's Mine

Resource guarding is also possessive aggression. Dogs who behave aggressively when people attempt to approach or take something away.

Resource guarding can also happen on furniture, a space, person, toys, bones and more. Resource guarding is natural, and even we do this in our daily lives. We lock our home, cars and any anything that is valuable to us.

How does this happen with dogs? It happens when dogs have things taken away. Someone decides to just pull whatever the dog has in their mouth out. This can start at a puppy stage in life. A puppy finds a sock, or towel and you need to get the object out of the mouth so there is not a visit to the veterinarian for a surgery. A surgery that can be prevented with good management at home. Having a puppy is much like child proofing your home. Put everything away in a safe area away from the puppy. When I help someone puppy proof a home, I will get on my knees and look at a level the puppy can see. I am looking for electric cords, objects on tables, cords from drapes and curtains. Anything I see that needs to be managed to help you succeed in home.

So, what happens when an item is quickly taken away? When an item is taken quickly from a dog, they can see that as a valuable item. Thinking, hey they just took that away from me. Which just added high value to the item. So, we all need to think before we grab and take away any item. Prevention is much better, than needing to call a professional dog trainer for help.

Over the years, I have visited with people and found they were just taking items away and scolding the dog. There are dogs that are obsessed with tissue paper, even spaces in the home. A person cannot get back into bed, if they get up in the night. This is dangerous and can be managed and yes, training is needed.

Dogs can be aggressive to people they know. A person tries to sit on the couch with someone and the dog gets growly. Resource guarding of people can happen.

A few tips for a good start with your puppy. I use a trade game, instead of just taking away an item. When you see your puppy with something in his mouth, take a small treat and toss it away just slightly off to the side and generally the puppy with drop the item. If not good on the first try, then try tossing another treat to the opposite side. Keep dropping a treat, until the puppy drops the item from his mouth. Once it is released from his mouth, pick it up and praise your puppy.

Sometimes newly adopted dogs come with baggage. A past history that is unknown and they may have been surrendered from someone local or has been transferred from another state. Some may have resource guarding, but this can be managed and behavior can change with positive reinforcement training.

With management and training the dog can learn.

Dogs are learning 24/7/365 days a year.

© 2026 Mecca Curtice, Mecca's All Breed Dog Training, LLC.