Recent studies have shown that management techniques can significantly bring down the chances of resource-guarding tendencies. However, if your dog has progressed beyond simply giving warning signs and is actively lunging or snapping at you, here is what you can do:

• Behavioural Modification: A canine behaviourist will be able to assess the situation and customize a behavioural modification plan keeping in mind the resources your dog is guarding, the severity of the behaviour, as well as any workarounds you may have at home.
  
• Visit your vet: As we saw before, some of the root causes of resource guarding could be due to medical conditions. So do visit your vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions or nutritional deficiencies that could be affecting your dog’s behaviour.
  
• Improve handling skills: It is important for pet parents to observe and understand the dog’s body language, read any calming signals they might be presenting, and act accordingly.
  
• Constant supervision: Keeping a track of the circumstances under which your dog reacts can help you understand what your dog’s triggers are, and then help you prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
  

Regardless of where you are in this journey with your dog, remember that they are living beings and changing their behaviour will take time and patience. Punishing your dog for resource-guarding or rushing through the training process can hurt the very relationship you share with them. If you see any signs of resource guarding in your dog, start working on it right away and trust the process.