Introduction

Resource guarding around a dog’s bed can cause real stress at home—not just for owners, but for the dog too. It’s one of those behaviours that can seem to come out of nowhere: one minute your dog is snuggled up and calm, the next they’re growling, stiffening, or even snapping when someone walks past or sits nearby. Understandably, this can be unsettling. It might even feel personal. But it’s not. It’s actually very natural dog behaviour.

To fix it, we need to understand it.

As humans, we don’t always resonate with the instinct to guard a space, especially not a soft dog bed we just bought on sale from Pets at Home. But for our dogs, the need to protect a safe resting spot can feel just as powerful as guarding food or toys—sometimes even more so. And unlike food guarding, which tends to happen once or twice a day around mealtimes, guarding a bed can crop up multiple times a day, especially if their bed is in a high-traffic area or they’re easily startled.

Before jumping into training, let’s take a step back and reframe how we see this behaviour—and why your dog might be doing it in the first place.

What Is Resource Guarding?

Resource guarding simply means your dog feels they need to protect something they value. It could be their food bowl, a chew, a toy—or, in this case, a bed. It’s usually driven by insecurity, anxiety, or past experiences. The behaviour can range from subtle signs (like a hard stare or body stiffness) to more overt warnings like growling, lunging, or biting.

But here’s the key point: it’s not dominance, defiance, or your dog being “naughty.” It’s a communication. It’s your dog saying, “Please don’t come near. I don’t feel safe right now.”

Why Dogs Guard Beds (And Why It Can Escalate)

Here are some common reasons dogs may start guarding a resting spot:

• They’re overtired or overstimulated
• They’ve been disturbed while sleeping in the past
• They’ve had their space invaded repeatedly
• They’re feeling anxious or insecure in general
• They were punished or moved roughly in the past
• The bed is in a busy or stressful part of the house
• Other pets or children regularly interact with them during rest

And once the behaviour is repeated a few times, it quickly becomes a pattern. That’s because if your dog growls and the person walks away, they’ve just learned: growling works. Now they feel they need to do it again and again.

How to Help Your Dog Feel Safe (Without Reinforcing the Guarding)

This isn’t about confrontation. It’s not about “showing them who’s boss” or physically moving them out of the way. In fact, the more force or frustration we bring to this issue, the more intense the guarding can become.

The solution? Desensitisation + distance + calm confidence.

Here’s our recommended approach, step-by-step:

Step 1: Choose a Better Safe Spot (If Needed)

Ask yourself:

• Is their current spot in a high-traffic area like a hallway or next to a bathroom?
• Do they get disturbed frequently?
• Do they seem alert rather than relaxed while in it?

If yes, consider creating a new safe space:

• Use a crate, corner, or tucked-away area.
• Add a comfy bed or blanket with high sides for extra security.
• Keep it away from household noise, walkways, or kids’ play areas.
• Encourage them to use it positively with treats and chews, but never force them.

Step 2: Find Their Threshold

Sit at a distance from your dog’s bed where they notice you—but don’t react. This is their threshold—where they’re aware but not defensive.

• Don’t stare at them.
• Avoid direct eye contact.
• Sit sideways or in a relaxed posture.

If they relax (head down, sigh, blink, close their eyes), calmly say “Good boy/girl” once or twice in a low, soft voice. Then leave it there. No treat, no movement—just quiet praise.

Repeat this daily, or as often as possible.

Step 3: Slowly Desensitise

Over time, reduce the distance to the bed by a few inches per session. Move at your dog’s pace. If you see signs of tension (stiffness, growling, hard stare), you’re too close—go back a step.

Progress might look like:

• Sitting 6ft away → 4ft away → 2ft away
• Then walking past the bed slowly
• Then briefly pausing next to it without engaging
• Eventually, sitting near while they sleep

This process could take days or weeks. Patience is key. You're building trust, not rushing results.

Step 4: Add in Calm Distractions (Optional)

If your dog isn’t possessive over food or toys, you can use a chew toy or stuffed Kong in their bed to create a calm association.

• Offer the chew, then sit nearby (at their comfort distance).
• Don’t reach into their bed. Just observe quietly.
• If they stay relaxed, offer a “Good boy/girl” and let them be.

If you notice more guarding with food or toys—skip this step.

Step 5: Reduce Unintentional Reinforcement

Every time your dog guards and the person backs away, your dog feels like it worked.

To avoid reinforcing the guarding:

• Avoid putting the bed near walkways, doors, or family seating areas.
• Politely ask guests or children to ignore the dog when resting.
• Don’t challenge or “test” them by approaching unnecessarily.

During this phase, help your dog succeed by setting up an environment that supports calm behaviour.

What Not to Do

❌ Don’t drag them off the sofa or bed
❌ Don’t yell, clap, or punish the growl
❌ Don’t bribe with treats to “get them off”
❌ Don’t try to force affection when they’re resting
❌ Don’t think you can rush this

A growl is communication. Respect it and respond with calm leadership—not confrontation.

When to Get Help

If your dog’s guarding is escalating, or you feel worried about safety (especially if children or other pets are involved), please speak to a qualified, positive-reinforcement-based trainer or behaviourist. The earlier you get help, the easier it is to resolve.

Final Thoughts

Resource guarding around beds isn’t “bad” behaviour. It’s a dog trying to say, “This is my safe spot—please don’t take it away.”

By listening, adapting our approach, and working patiently, we can teach our dogs that they’re safe—even when people move past, sit nearby, or enter their space.

Training isn’t just about obedience—it’s about helping our dogs feel secure in a world they didn’t choose. And when we make that effort, they show up for us in the most wonderful ways.

If you’ve been working through resource guarding issues and want to share your progress—or need a bit of guidance—feel free to email us at lola@lolashouse.co.uk. We’re always happy to help.

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