Resource Guarding: Bed

Resourcing guarding of a bed can sometimes be a very serious problem for our dogs and can be a point of tension in the household where they live. It is a confusing behaviour for humans since we don't all share this inclination with dogs. A dog guarding their bed is a behaviour that is likely to repeat itself many times throughout a day, as opposed, to dogs who guard their food and will only have a couple of opportunities a day where they feel the need to protect what is theirs.

To really understand what our dogs are up to, we have to reframe this behaviour and empathise with our dogs. If we don't, we might end up tackling this problem with too much force which will only lead to our dogs feeling even more strongly that they have to protect their resources. To get our heads around this behaviour we should imagine that a dog in their bed is the same as us in our homes. A dog's bed is usually the place where they feel safest, they can snuggle up and feel totally at ease in their safe place. They will often retreat to their beds when they are afraid, worried, hurt or sick. They may take their treats or toys into their bed to feel safe while enjoying a bit of alone time. They treat their bed just as we treat our homes. So when another dog or human approaches, they will most certainly feel a pang of anxiety. This is natural and shouldn't be denied, we all deserve a place to feel safe.

Note: A dog may not consider the new, fluffy dog bed, you have paid good money for, their safe place. Dogs assess different spots in their environment for the qualities that make it a good place to rest. You may find that your dog has decided the middle of the corner sofa, with the wrap-around back, provides the perfect place to call their own. So if your dog gets on the sofa, refuses to move, and growls at anyone who comes near them to take a seat, this could very well be them guarding their safe place and a new safe place for them needs to be provided.

Lastly, before we get into the training, we should all defend our homes with more force than we would protect the pub or our neighbours' homes. Therefore, dogs are much more likely to use their aggressive nature to protect their beds too. It's important that we are patient and present as much of a non-threatening approach as we can.

So, to get your dog comfortable with your presence when they are in their safe spot we have to use a process of desensitisation and some distraction (distraction techniques are always best used in tandem with another training process).

1. Assess the safe place your dog likes. Is it the best place for them to be? Is there a lot of traffic nearby that might be triggering their behaviour? Is it a bed that makes them feel snug and secure? Our dogs will take what they can get, but, if you present them with a perfectly safe and cozy spot for snoozing that is far away from anyone who might disturb them, they will likely make the most of it! Take a bit of time to figure out the best spot for your dog to call their own.

2. Figure out what a safe distance is for you to sit near your dog in their bed. Close enough that they know you are there but not enough to cause a reaction.

3. As you sit in the presence of your dog in their bed, make sure not to make too much eye contact with them as this can cause tension.

4. If and when your dog relaxes, puts their head down, or even closes their eyes, very calmly say 'Good boy/ girl'.

5. Continue to give your dog very calm praise while they are relaxed in their bed, and gradually day by day (or however often you decide to practice this technique) move an inch or two close to your dog in their bed.

6. This gradually desensitises them to your presence.

7. If your dog is food driven, but does not guard their food or toys, then you could start by giving them a chew toy or a filled Kong in their bed. Then sitting nearby as they enjoy their treat. This is a good way of using a distraction while your dog is becoming desensitised to your presence. If you feel your dog is in any way more tense when enjoying a treat in their bed, then do not do this.

This is a gradual process that will take some time and repeated practice before your dog becomes truly comfortable with you while they are relaxing in their bed. It is normal for it to take time so try and be as patient as you can with them. During the time it takes to achieve this comfort, move your dog's bed to a place with as little traffic as possible. The reason for this is that it is very easy for a dog's 'guarding behaviour' to be reinforced. For example, let's say your dog's bed is by the bathroom door so when you get up to go to the bathroom your dog sees you coming and perhaps growls but you ignore this and go to the bathroom anyway. What your dog will interpret is; you have approached them, they growled at you, and you went away. They feel like their guarding behaviour is effective and they should keep doing it.

This is the final piece of my resource-guarding articles. I hope you have found out lots of new information and are having progress at home.

Written By Chloe Forster

Published on 30th May 2023

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