Besides their inherent survival instinct, there are several other factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic, that can cause resource guarding in dogs. Let’s go through them one by one.

• Breed traits: After domestication, some breeds were trained to channel their resource-guarding instincts to serve man. They were taught to possess an inherent sense of protectiveness towards either their owners, the owner’s livestock, or even spaces. Over a period of time, this protectiveness became a prominent feature of their genetic makeup, making them slightly more prone to resource-guarding tendencies today.
  

• Lack of early socialization: Dogs that have not been socialized with humans or other animals are less likely to trust them and can be more insecure about the resources in their presence. It is important to socialize our puppies the right way to ensure that they grow up to feel comfortable around other animals and humans.
  

• Lack of resources or trauma: Experiences can play an important role in determining a dog’s behaviour today. Dogs may become insecure if they have had things constantly snatched from them or if they had to constantly fight to meet their basic needs due to a lack of resources available.
  

• Medical conditions:  Dogs that are in pain or unwell, especially due to either dental or gastrointestinal issues, may feel more protective of their resources. Hormonal surges during puberty or pregnancy can also increase their chances of feeling protective of their resources.
  

As you can see, resource guarding can emerge due to a variety of factors. It is important to understand where these tendencies come from to find the most effective solution to tackle them.