Resource guarding is a normal canine behavior that becomes a safety concern when directed at family members, requiring welfare-based behavior modification.
Resource guarding dogs are communicating a welfare concern - they feel threatened enough about losing something valued that they feel the need to warn. The welfare-based response respects the communication, addresses the underlying concern through positive association building, and manages the environment to prevent unsafe situations while modification occurs. Dogs whose guarding is met with punishment learn their warnings are ineffective, suppressing growling while maintaining the bite motivation.