How to Tame Food Aggression in Dogs

Food aggression in a dog can lead to further aggressive behavior if unchecked. If your dog growls or snaps at another dog, or person, that comes near his feeding bowl, it's time to take some steps to correct the problem. Dogs are pack animals; re-train with that in mind. Food aggression is a correctable problem.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Remove the dog food bowl after your dog finishes eating. Allowing a dog access to eat anytime he chooses is unhealthy and fosters a sense of possessiveness in some dogs. Optimally, the dog should eat to his fill 3 times a day and his bowl picked up after each feeding.

2. Hand feed your dog. Instead of putting his bowl down and letting him eat quickly, make your dog eat his food a couple of pieces at a time, from your hand. Make him sit down and hold out your hand, backside first to keep him from snapping. If he attempts to take the food too quickly, tell him "No" and only open your hand when he is waiting calmly. Hold the food in the flat of your hand, not your fingertips.

3. Put extra bits of food in his bowl as he eats, to tame his food aggression. After feeding him by hand for a week or so, it's time to return to bowl feeding. Place only a small amount in his bowl and add a few bits every minute or so. Your dog will get the idea that when you come near his bowl, it's a good thing. Continue this training for a couple of weeks until the dog welcomes you near the bowl.

4. Remove children from the dog's feeding area. Most bites happen when adults are not paying attention to what is going on. Young children should not be in charge of the dog's feeding if there are food aggression problems. Even a tame dog may nip at a small child.

5. Feed your dog enough. A hungry dog is more likely to be protective of his food than a dog that is well fed. This is just common sense, but hunger in a dog is one of the main causes of food aggression.

6. Visit a veterinarian to rule out medical causes. If your dog's teeth hurt, he may not be able to chew adequately and he won't be getting enough food. Other mouth and throat problems could figure in. Eliminate any medical causes and then work on re-training.

Tips & Warnings

• Any dog can bite, regardless of breed. Training a dog takes patience and commitment. Be prepared to put some time and effort into the training and to maintain it for the life of your dog.

[fraserbw]

on 3/22/2009 I just wanted to let you all know that this may not prove to solve food aggression but can and likely will serve to cause confusion and a disorderly hierarchy and even more problems. Even where some/most the overall theory is correct; a wider approach must be taken by qualified professionals.For example: Chances are if a dog is already showing food aggression they have achieved alpha status of other aspects of their life as well. Examples to watch for are include T-ing off explained below. A responsible owner will learn to control every aspect of their dogs life early, hopefully through a NADOI (National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors) member or similar ethical trainer. This should start at a puppy and progress from the basics of potties training to every other aspect of a dogs life. If it has gotten as far as food aggression professional help is needed.Other relevant informati