Molly’s Full Story
From Guarding to Gentle

Meet Molly

Molly is a three-year-old Bichon Frise who came to us with severe resource guarding issues. She would growl, snap, and occasionally bite when anyone came near her food bowl, toys, or even certain spots on the sofa. This made everyday interactions stressful for both Molly and her guardians, Tim and Julie.

 

The situation was becoming unsafe, and Tim and Julie were feeling increasingly anxious and unsure of how to help her without making things worse.

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The Training Approach

Our first step was to remove any punishment or confrontation from the situation. Resource guarding is a behaviour rooted in fear and insecurity, so we focused on helping Molly feel safe, in control, and not threatened when her valued items were nearby.

 

Using desensitisation, counter-conditioning, and clear communication cues, we slowly built her tolerance and changed her emotional response to people approaching her resources. We also taught Molly how to ‘give’ items willinglyand introduced ‘swap’ exercises, helping her learn that giving something up could lead to something even better.

 

Tim and Julie were coached to observe her body language, maintain predictable routines, and build trust using calm reinforcement and positive rewards.

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Molly’s Progress

✅ Molly now eats calmly and no longer growls when people are near

✅ She allows toys and high-value chews to be picked up with minimal stress

✅ She shows relaxed body language during handovers and around shared spaces

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Ongoing Work

Resource guarding is often a long-term process, and while Molly still needs space during certain situations, her reactions are now predictable and manageable. Most importantly, Tim and Julie now feel confident in handling things calmly, with empathy and understanding.

 

With a solid foundation of trust and positive associations, Molly’s world has become less threatening and much more peaceful.