Working around resource guarding in groups of dogs

Controlling resource guarding behavior around groups of dogs is far trickier than controlling the behavior around humans. This is because, among dogs, directing aggressive signals to discourage access to specific resources is instinctual to maintaining control.

If Dog A growls at Dog B for approaching a bone he considers to be his, and Dog B backs away from the bone, Dog A was rewarded for his possessive aggression and learns that it was an effective way to guard his bone.

If Dog A lunges at Dog B for laying in an area of the house that Dog A considers to be his, and Dog B becomes afraid of that area, Dog A learns that lunging achieves control and possession of that part of the house.

As dog owners, it is important we recognize those actions and correct them as they happen so it does not become an established behavior. Timing is everything!