Interpretating Body Language

  • Dogs may not display all or may display very few of these signals — some may escalate quickly, while others use subtle warnings repeatedly.  Subtle warnings can be difficult to spot.
  • Breed, past experiences, and context can affect how these signals appear.
  • Punishing growling or early signs often removes warnings, not the emotion, increasing the risk of sudden aggression.
  • Always observe the whole body and the context it occurs in, not just the face or tail, to assess guarding behavior.

Early/Subtle Warning Signs:

  1. Freezing or stiffening
  2. Hard stare (whale eye or direct eye contact)
  3. Lowered head over the item
  4. Turning body to shield the resource
  5. Eating or chewing faster
  6. Sudden stillness when approached
  7. Tense or tightly closed mouth
  8. Lifting lip (subtle snarl)
  9. Growling (low, rumbling)
  10. Snapping (air snaps)
  11. Lunging or charging without contact
  12. Baring teeth
  13. Whale eye (showing the whites of the eyes)
  14. Pinned-back ears
  15. Raised hackles (piloerection)
  16. Tail raised and stiff or tucked tightly
  17. Muzzle wrinkling
  18. Blocking access with body
  19. Quick, darting looks to guard the item
  20. Mounting or possessive posture over item

🚨 Overt / Non-Subtle Signs of Resource Guarding

  1. Loud, prolonged growling
  2. Snapping with intent to bite
  3. Actual biting (contact made)
  4. Charging or lunging at people/dogs
  5. Full-on baring of teeth with snarl
  6. Chasing someone away from the resource
  7. Standing rigidly over the item and barking
  8. Air snapping repeatedly
  9. Possessive growl while eating or chewing
  10. Guarding behavior when no one is near (hyper-vigilance)

🔍 Detailed Descriptions of Early/Subtle Warning Signs

1. Freezing or Stiffening

  • The dog may suddenly go still or stop moving, often while holding or hovering near the resource.
  • A warning that signals discomfort and conflict.

2. Hard Stare (Direct or Whale Eye)

  • A fixed, intense gaze often directed at the person or dog approaching.
  • May include whale eye, where the dog shows the whites of its eyes while keeping its head still — a sign of high tension.

3. Lowered Head Over the Item

  • The dog crouches over the object, often placing its chin or body directly on it.
  • A protective posture indicating ownership and control.

4. Turning Body to Shield the Resource

  • The dog repositions itself to block access, placing the item between itself and the perceived threat.

5. Eating or Chewing Faster

  • The dog begins to consume the item quickly as someone approaches, a survival instinct to avoid losing it.

6. Sudden Stillness When Approached

  • This “pause” behavior can be easily missed — the dog might stop chewing, wagging, or moving when someone gets closer.
  • It reflects tension and conflict about whether to escalate the response.

7. Tense or Tightly Closed Mouth

  • The mouth may become tightly sealed, with lips pressed or jaw locked in a tight position.
  • Indicates arousal and tension.

8. Lifting Lip (Subtle Snarl)

  • Often just a corner of the lip is raised at first, showing a few teeth — a very early warning that escalation is likely.

9. Growling

  • A vocal warning that can be low and rumbling or more intense, depending on the dog’s arousal and past learning.
  • Should always be taken seriously — it’s a valuable communication signal.

10. Snapping (Air Snaps)

  • A fast, deliberate bite attempt that intentionally doesn’t make contact.
  • Used to scare off the threat — it’s a warning before actual aggression.

11. Lunging or Charging Without Contact

  • A burst of movement toward the perceived threat but without actual biting.
  • Highly aroused dogs may use this to intimidate.

12. Baring Teeth

  • A full display of the teeth, with lips curled back and snout wrinkled.
  • Often accompanied by growling or snarling.

13. Whale Eye

  • Whites of the eyes are visible, especially if the dog keeps its head still and glances sideways.
  • Indicates stress, anxiety, and guardedness.

14. Pinned-Back Ears

  • Ears flattened against the head.
  • Reflects discomfort, fear, or warning posture.

15. Raised Hackles (Piloerection)

  • Hair along the neck, back, or tail stands up.
  • Sign of arousal, not always aggression, but common in resource guarding.

16. Tail Raised and Stiff or Tucked Tightly

  • A high, stiff tail may signal alertness or aggression.
  • A tightly tucked tail may indicate conflict or fear-based guarding.

17. Muzzle Wrinkling

  • Wrinkling of the snout/forehead often accompanies growling or snarling.
  • Tension around the face is a sign of emotional escalation.

18. Blocking Access with Body

  • The dog physically moves to prevent others from reaching the resource, often turning sideways or stepping in front.

19. Quick, Darting Looks to Guard the Item

  • The dog rapidly scans its environment, checking for threats.
  • These quick looks suggest a guarded, possessive mindset.

20. Mounting or Possessive Posture Over Item

  • The dog may place a paw or body over the item to claim it.
  • Sometimes accompanied by stiff posture or growling.

🗣 Detailed Descriptions of Overt Signs

1. Loud, Prolonged Growling

  • The dog may growl continuously and deeply, especially when someone is nearby or approaching.
  • The intensity and duration reflect increased arousal and confidence in escalating behavior.

2. Snapping with Intent to Bite

  • Unlike air snaps meant as warnings, these are more directed and forceful.
  • The dog may aim at hands, feet, or faces that approach the resource.

3. Actual Biting (Contact Made)

  • A clear sign that previous warnings were either missed, punished, or the dog escalated quickly.
  • Can range from inhibited bites (light contact) to full puncture wounds.

4. Charging or Lunging at People/Dogs

  • The dog runs or jumps forward with force to drive others away.
  • Often accompanied by barking or growling, and may or may not involve contact.

5. Full-on Baring of Teeth with Snarl

  • The dog lifts the lips entirely, exposing all teeth while snarling or growling.
  • A very strong signal of impending aggression.

6. Chasing Someone Away from the Resource

  • The dog may leave the item momentarily to drive a person or animal away, then return to it.
  • Indicates a highly protective/possessive mindset.

7. Standing Rigidly Over the Item and Barking

  • The dog guards with a stiff, confrontational stance, barking directly at the person or dog.
  • The posture is often forward-leaning and unmoving.

8. Air Snapping Repeatedly

  • Multiple rapid air snaps indicate the dog is actively trying to warn off a threat and may bite next.

9. Possessive Growl While Eating or Chewing

  • A low growl while chewing a bone, eating kibble, or holding a toy in the mouth.
  • Can occur even before anyone approaches, if the dog anticipates guarding is needed.

10. Guarding When No One Is Near (Hyper-Vigilance)

  • The dog constantly watches the environment, growls at distant movement, or reacts preemptively.
  • Suggests chronic anxiety or deeply ingrained guarding behavior.

⚠️ Important Handling Reminder:

Overt signs are not “bad behavior” — they are communication that the dog is highly distressed or protective. Suppressing these behaviors without addressing the underlying cause can lead to sudden, unanticipated aggression. A behavior modification plan with a qualified trainer or behavior consultant is the safest way to resolve guarding issues.