Companion Animals

Dog Resource Guarding: Behaviour and Welfare

Resource guarding is a common and often misunderstood dog behaviour that, when handled incorrectly, can escalate to biting and increased stress for the dog.

Key Facts

Welfare Considerations

Resource guarding causes stress for the guarding dog, particularly when it triggers punishment or confrontation. Responding with appropriate, positive-based management reduces the dog's stress while keeping household members safe. Owner education is the key intervention.

What You Can Do