Possession in dogs! its all mine
🐾 Possession Aggression in Dogs
Understanding Resource Guarding and How to Handle It
All dogs have some degree of resource guarding — it’s hardwired into survival.
From the beginning of time, dogs (and their ancestors) have had to compete for food, shelter, and mates. In today’s world, that instinct shows up as possession aggression — when a dog guards food, toys, people, or even spaces.
How much your dog guards depends on their personality, early experiences, genetics, and how you respond when it happens.
🦴 What Dogs May Guard
Resource guarding can appear around:
Food bowls, bones, or treats
Random objects like tissues, socks, or garbage
Spaces such as beds, crates, or even garbage cans
People — treating a person as a possession, not protection
“It’s not dominance. It’s insecurity — and insecurity needs structure, not shouting.”
🔍 Why It Happens
Guarding isn’t about stubbornness or “alpha” behavior — it’s a survival instinct that can be shaped by a dog’s environment and experiences.
Early lessons: Puppies often compete for food in the litter.
Genetics: Some lines have stronger guarding tendencies.
Environment: Multi-dog homes or shelters can create constant competition.
Owner response: When humans back away after a growl, the dog learns that aggression works.
⚠️ Warning Signs
Pay attention to early cues before things escalate:
Growling when approached near food or toys
Stiff posture, lowered head, hard stare
Snapping or biting when something is taken
Fighting over bones or bowls
An intense, uncomfortable stare — like they’re daring you to move
If you see these signs, don’t dismiss them. They’re communication — not defiance.
🚫 What Not to Do
Guarding gets worse when handled with confrontation or pressure.
Avoid these common mistakes:
Don’t stick your hand in the bowl mid-meal
Don’t grab the bowl away
Don’t “free feed” (leaving food out all day)
Don’t hover or challenge your dog
Don’t yank them away by collar or leash
👉 Never assume your size or strength gives you the right to take things. That mindset creates fights — and bites.
✅ What To Do
Guarding is best handled with structure, trust, and a calm approach.
Feed in a safe space — crate or gated area
Watch body language and avoid looming or staring
Learn your dog’s triggers and thresholds
Start with low-value items, and build up slowly
Create positive associations — toss treats while your dog eats
Mix it up — hand-feed part of meals for training, then bowl-feed the rest
“Teach your dog that giving something up leads to something better.”
🦺 Safety First
Until your dog’s behavior improves, keep things controlled:
Always use a leash and collar when training around food or items
Feed in a crate or behind a gate
Keep kids and guests out of the picture until you fully understand your dog’s signals
💪 Building Trust & Leadership
You don’t solve guarding through dominance — you solve it through structure and leadership.
A dog who trusts their human to make decisions doesn’t need to defend resources.
Stay calm, stay consistent, and teach your dog that cooperation earns rewards.
Force fuels fear. Guidance builds confidence.
🧠 The Bottom Line
Possession aggression can escalate fast if ignored, but it’s fixable.
With the right knowledge, timing, and communication, you can change your dog’s mindset from:
“I must defend what’s mine”
to
“I can relax — good things happen when I share.”
🐾 If your dog is showing signs of guarding, and aggression, don’t wait until it turns into a bite.
Let’s chat in an evaluation to work together in private sessions to keep everyone safe, including the dog.
— Angie
Royal K9 Inc.
“Understand, Learn, and Train Your Dog.”
Contact
Questions about what your dog is saying to you in certain situations or just about your dog’s behaviour?
Reach out to angie@royalk9.ca Angie’s always happy to help guide you in the right direction.