At San Diego Goldens, one of our top priorities is raising puppies who are confident, well-adjusted, and easy to live with. One behavior that can challenge even the most dedicated dog owner is resource guarding— and while it can occur in any breed, certain factors can make Resource Guarding in Dogs more likely to appear. As someone who specializes in Golden Retrievers, a breed known for their deep love of food, I’m especially mindful of this issue from day one.
📘 What Is Resource Guarding?
Resource guarding is a behavior in which a dog becomes possessive over something they value. This “resource” is most commonly food, but it can also include toys, chews, sleeping areas, or even people. Guarding can range from subtle signs like stiffening or hovering to more overt behaviors like growling, snapping, or biting.
At its core, resource guarding is a fear-based behavior—a dog’s attempt to prevent the loss of something important to them. In the wild, guarding a meal could mean survival. But in our homes, it’s a behavior that needs gentle management and understanding.
🐾 Golden Retrievers and Food Motivation
Golden Retrievers are famously food-motivated. This makes them incredibly trainable, but also means they can develop strong attachments to food if it ever feels scarce. That’s why preventing food-related stress from the beginning is so important.
🧸 How Breeders Help Prevent Resource Guarding
As a breeder, here’s what I do to minimize the risk of resource guarding behaviors:
🍽️ 1. Abundant Access to Food
Food is never treated as a scarce resource. Puppies are fed often and to satisfaction. Full bellies = less anxiety.
🍲 2. Group Feeding Done Right
We use multiple dishes, spaced far apart, to avoid competition and teach that there’s enough for everyone.
🤲 3. Gentle Desensitization
While puppies are eating, I gently touch their bowls and offer them extra goodies by hand to build trust.
🔁 4. Object Exchange Games
We play trading games early on—swapping toys or chews for treats—to show that giving something up leads to a reward.
🛠️ Tips for Managing Resource Guarding at Home
Even with a solid foundation, resource guarding can pop up on rare occasions. Here are tips for managing it:
🚫 Don’t punish warnings
Growling is communication. Punishing it can suppress the signal and increase risk.
🍖 Turn presence into a positive
Drop treats into your dog’s bowl as you walk by. Teach them that your presence equals bonus goodies.
🔄 Train a strong “drop it” or “leave it”
Positive reinforcement training builds confidence and cooperation.
🚷 Avoid grabbing things by force
Instead, trade up—offer a higher-value reward in exchange for what your dog has. Call the dog away from the item and offer a high-value reward!
🧘 Feed in a low-stress setting
If your dog guards food, feed them in a quiet space where they feel safe and unthreatened. A crate is a great place for daily meals.
🧠 Consult a professional when needed
A certified trainer using force-free methods can help create a tailored behavior plan.
💬 Final Thoughts
Resource guarding is a natural instinct, but one that we can manage and often prevent altogether! With thoughtful breeding practices and compassionate handling in the home, most dogs can learn that they never need to guard what they love.
When dogs feel safe, understood, and unthreatened, they become more trusting—and that’s when the real bond between human and dog begins to shine.