12/23/2025
Resource guarding is one of the most common behaviors we see—and the good news is, it’s often preventable.
Our goal is always education: helping owners understand their dogs and set them up for success from the start, instead of fixing behaviors later down the road.
In this video with Loki, we start by building impulse control by using a higher-value reward (in this case, American cheese) to calmly call him away from his food. From there, we focus on something many people get wrong: adding value instead of taking it away.
A common misconception is that you should put your hands in your dog’s bowl or take food away to “desensitize” them. While that may work for some dogs, it often creates anxiety and can actually increase resource guarding. Instead, we want our presence to mean good things happen—not that something is being taken.
By adding food to the bowl and allowing dogs to eat calmly and confidently, we create a positive association and reduce the likelihood of guarding behaviors.
We also always recommend feeding in a crate and leaving your dog alone while they eat—no people, no other dogs. This simple step can go a long way in preventing resource guarding before it ever starts.
Education first. Clear communication. Confident dogs.
