Canine behaviour specialist Will Atherton has issued an urgent warning to dog owners about resource guarding, a behaviour he says is a 'bite waiting to happen' and a leading cause of dogs being put down. In a TikTok video, Atherton explained that resource guarding often starts small—over food, toys, or a bed—and escalates until someone, frequently a child, gets bitten.
Why Resource Guarding Is Dangerous
According to Atherton, resource guarding is the number one behaviour problem he has seen lead to dogs being surrendered, rehomed, and ultimately euthanised. 'This is a dog in the home that has learned to guard — whether that be food, toys, or its bed — and then somebody, often a child in the house, ends up getting bitten,' he said. The problem is often ignored because it seems manageable until a bite occurs, after which the consequences become very real.
Prevention Strategies from the Expert
Atherton, who founded his own dog training academy, emphasises prevention as a fundamental principle of his puppy training routines. He outlines four key steps:
- Become a high-level canine leader: Build a relationship where the dog sees the owner as a leader and looks to them for guidance. Atherton claims this alone prevents 98% of resource guarding concerns.
- Build impulse control: Teach the dog to control its impulses and follow the owner's guidance before accessing a desired resource.
- Implement rules, boundaries, and expectations: Enforce these with 'militant-like consistency' to create structure.
- Pair with obedience and manners: Combine basic obedience, manners, and socialisation to create what Atherton calls the 'perfect canine companion'.
'If a slight smidge of resource guarding ever starts to show itself, you will now know how to nip it in the bud immediately and never let it become a problem that leads to a bite — that leads to a euthanasia case,' Atherton added.
RSPCA Advice on Resource Guarding
The RSPCA supports Atherton's advice and offers additional tips to reduce resource guarding. The charity recommends varying feeding times and locations, alternating bowls to reduce the value of a particular bowl, and ensuring the dog's basic needs for exercise, food, sleep, play, and enrichment are met. They also advise ruling out health issues or pain as a cause before starting a training plan, and caution against telling a dog off for guarding, as it adds to anxiety. 'Your dog is not being 'naughty', this is a fear and anxiety response,' the RSPCA notes.
Early Signs and Next Steps
Owners should watch for early signs such as stiffness, growling, or freezing when someone approaches a resource. If these appear, Atherton advises addressing them immediately using the prevention framework. The RSPCA also recommends consulting a vet to rule out pain and seeking a qualified behaviourist for severe cases.
