How to Stop My Dog From Growling and Biting When I'm Taking a Bone Away

Dogs sometimes become possessive about food as puppies when they have to compete for food with their littermates. When a dog gets older and continues this habit, experts call the behavior "resource guarding". Some dogs run away with the bone; others growl. The most aggressive dogs may bite. Although you may feel uncertain about how to take a bone away from a dog, many dog trainers offer suggestions for how you can handle aggressive behavior.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Dog food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give the dog enough food to eat. One reason for food guarding is that a dog doesn't know if or when its next meal is coming. Give the dog an appropriate amount of food for its age and weight. The labels on dog food packages usually provide recommended amounts. If the dog is satisfied, it will be less likely to guard a bone you want to remove.

    • 2

      Substitute something else for the bone. In most cases, giving a dog its favorite food or a dog treat will cause it to lose interest in the bone, at least temporarily. As the dog eats the food, you can take the bone away and not have to worry about aggressive behavior.

    • 3

      Give a bone only as a reward. Some dog trainers believe that a dog should work to get a bone. When the dog does what its owner wants it to do, it gets a bone. This technique not only improves a dog's behavior over time but teaches the dog that the bone is only a reward and not just a food source