What is Resource Guarding and Why Does My Dog Do It?

We all love our dogs and their quirky habits - after all, what could be cuter than a cheeky spaniel stealing your socks? However, resource guarding happens when a dog becomes protective or defensive of food, toys or stolen objects, and tries to keep you away from them. Understanding why your dog does this and addressing it with positive reinforcement training is key to helping your dog feel safe and happy.

What does resource guarding behaviour look like?

The most popular items for dogs to guard are food or toys, but some might also guard beds, chairs or even people. Here are some examples of resource guarding behaviour:

• Standing over an item with a stiff or still posture

• Crouching over the item when you approach

• Running away with the item

• Hiding the item

• Pinning their ears back

• Lip curling or low growling

• Eating very fast, if they are guarding food

• Showing the whites of their eyes, also known as ‘whale eye’

Severe resource guarding can include biting, snapping or other aggressive behaviour. If your spaniel freezes completely when you approach, this is a serious warning sign. Back away calmly and seek professional help.

Why do spaniels guard resources?

Resource guarding is a common spaniel behavioural challenge, often driven by anxiety. If your dog guards their resources, it’s important to remember that they’re not being naughty, but acting out of fear, instinct or learned behaviour. Resource guarding was a key survival strategy for your dog’s wild ancestors. Spaniels also have a long history of working as gun dogs, where holding and protecting items is a vital part of the job. The combination of genetics and instinct explains why spaniel breeds often resource guard.

How to manage resource guarding

Safety first: If your dog shows extreme resource guarding behaviour, Contact a registered trainer or behaviourist for further help and advice.

Step 1: Manage the environment

Remove opportunities for guarding before starting training.

Management strategies:

• Feed your dog in a calm, quiet environment, separate from any other pets

• Do not interrupt your dog when they are eating or playing with a toy

• Hide any toys or items your dog tends to guard

• If you do take a toy away from them, always offer a reward of higher value

• Only take toys or food away when your dog is distracted by something better

• Remove high-value items when your dog is not being supervised

• Keep shoes, remotes and children’s toys out of reach

• Feed multi-dog households separately with doors closed

What not to do:

• Don’t hover over your dog while they eat – this creates anxiety

• Don’t stare at a guarding dog – this can be seen as confrontational

• Never take items from their mouth – this is a bite risk

• Never punish growling – this removes communication

• Don’t chase a dog who’s stolen something – this makes it feel like a game

Step 2: Prevention for puppies and new dogs

The best way to manage resource guarding is to stop it before it even starts.

Focus on prevention:

• While they eat, occasionally throw a high-value treat close by from two-three metres away

• Never take their food bowl away while they’re still eating

• Practice hand-feeding some meals to build trust

• Give your spaniel a toy, then offer a treat while saying “drop it”, give them the treat then return the toy

Step 3: Reverse conditioning for mild guarding

For spaniels showing mild resource guarding behaviour (stiffening or eating faster – but no growling or snapping), try reverse conditioning. Instead of approaching a guarding dog, which could create anxiety, move away and reward relaxation.

1. Place their food bowl or chew in their safe space

2. Stand approximately five meters or more away

3. Walk away from your dog

4. As you walk away, toss a high-value treat towards them

5. Repeat several times per session

6. Gradually decrease distance over a few weeks

Step 4: The “trade-up” game

If your spaniel guards but training is safe (no biting history, no children present) try the trade-up game.

• Give them a low-value toy

• Show them something they like better (treat, favourite toy, chicken)

• When they drop the first item, say “drop it”

• Give them the better item immediately

• Return the original item after a few seconds

Practise with neutral items first, not ones they actively guard. This will teach your spaniel that giving up items results in receiving something better and often getting the original item back, which builds trust.

With patience, consistency and trust, your training sessions will soon start to pay off, and your dog should soon learn to share their resources without fear or anxiety.