Many dogs are instinctively territorial when it comes to food or even their food dish. This aggression is displayed by growling if anyone or anything approaches the dog while it eats. Many dogs will bare their teeth and a few will even bite. This behavior is inappropriate and extremely dangerous. It is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately by the dog owner before the behavior becomes even more extreme and out of control.
Things You'll Need
- Treats
- Dog food
- Dog bowl
Instructions
Separate the dog from other dogs in the family if the food aggression is being directed toward another dog or animal in the household. The aggressive dog will need to be fed by itself in a completely separate room until the food aggression ends. Dog aggression over food is often common in households with three or more dogs that are fed in the same room. Three dogs quickly become a pack. In a pack, the alpha dines first and the rest fight it out. Separate all three dogs during feeding times.
Stop giving the dog treats. Treats can often bring on food aggression. The dog will guard the treats on household furniture or other areas of the home. If someone should get to close they could easily be bit by the food aggressive dog. The dog also will use a treat as a reason to pick a fight with another dog or cat.
Establish yourself as pack leader by enrolling the dog in obedience classes. Dogs view their human companions as pack members. In a dog pack there is an established hierarchy. The alpha male and female eat first and then the other pack members fight it out over food consumption. This is why a dog is often food aggressive. A dog that does not respect its human caretaker as the pack leader will often challenge that authority by exhibiting food aggression. A human pack leader should easily be able to take all food away from their dog. If the dog does not let the human take the food away this a direct challenge to the human for pack leadership. Obedience classes can help establish a human's authority and lessen food aggressive outbursts
Feed only on schedule and only a set amount of food each time. A dog that exhibits signs of food aggression should never be allowed access to food all day. Let your dog see you pour the food into its bowl. Place the bowl in front of the dog. While the dog eats, gently stroke him. Maintain this schedule for a week.
Drop small treats into the dog's food bowl as it eats after one week of simply petting the dog. By dropping food into the dog's bowl he will begin to associated you with giving food instead of taking it away. Only take the dog's food bowl away when the dog has completely finished eating.