Resource guarding help in Essex

Guarding is a dog's way of saying "this is ours, please don't take it". Dogs have done it for as long as there have been dogs.

Worry about losing something. Most guarding comes from fear that something valuable will be taken away.

Learning. If things have often been taken from a dog, they may start to guard harder. Chasing a dog who has stolen something can teach them to run and guard.

Pain. A sore dog may guard their bed or resting place, or snap when moved. If the guarding started suddenly, see your vet as well.

Hunger or past hardship. Some rescue dogs who've gone without food guard strongly at first.

Puppies guard too. It often starts small, with a stiff body over a chew. It's usually easier to change early.

If guarding has led to bites, or happens in lots of situations, our page on aggression covers safety in more detail.

• Mild: your dog eats faster, stiffens or moves the item away when you come near. No growl. Easy to change now.
• Moderate: a hard stare, a freeze, a growl or a lifted lip. Nobody's been hurt, but the warning is clear. Get help soon.
• Severe: snapping, lunging or a bite, or guarding that's spreading to new things, places or people. Get help now, and keep children away from the dog's food, chews and bed until you have a plan.

• Leave your dog alone while they eat. Feed them somewhere quiet, behind a baby gate if needed.
• Don't take things away. Swap instead. Drop something tasty a short way off, and pick the item up once your dog has moved away from it.
• Remove the things your dog guards most for now, if you can do it safely when they're not around.
• Keep children away from your dog while they eat, chew or rest. Use gates and closed doors.
• Keep your dog off the furniture they guard, by closing doors or using gates, rather than pulling them off.
• Book a vet check if the guarding is new or your dog seems stiff or sore.

1. A 1-2-1 behaviour session. Guarding is usually about your home, your routine and the things your dog values, so for most guarding dogs we suggest we meet at your home. We can also meet at our training field at Roxwell. It lasts 1.5 hours and costs £160 at our Chelmsford field, or £190 at your home. We look at what your dog guards, from whom, and when, and check for anything adding to it, including pain. We set up safety first, then agree the first steps together. Book a 1-2-1 behaviour session.

2. Changing how your dog feels. We teach your dog that people coming near is good news, because it means something even better arrives. We also teach useful skills like "drop", "swap" and "off", with rewards. Follow-up sessions are £100 an hour at the training field, £120 an hour at home.

3. Residential, for some dogs. For dogs on a residential stay, we can work on swaps, food manners and settling every day, then show you how to carry it on at home.