As pet owners, who doesn't want their dogs to be docile and cute? But sometimes, the dog will suddenly become fierce when eating, which is called food aggression. This not only gives people a headache, but also may hurt the family members and is not good for the dog itself. So how to make your dog change this bad behavior? Today I will give you some tips.
What is food aggression in dogs?
Dog food aggression also known as food protection or resource protection behavior. This is a defensive or aggressive behavior that dog exhibit when they feel their food is threatened. This behavior is natural to dog. It is dog's protective instinct for scarce resource while surviving in the wild. In homes this behavior can be a threat to family members and other pet. Therefore we need to control them through our training.
Causes of food aggression in dogs
When it comes to dog food guarding, I've really learned a lot. My old buddy at home has taught me quite a bit.
- Genetics: First of all, genetics are amazing. My dog's dad was a bit of a food guardian, and my dog has inherited this trait as well.
- Early Experiences: Then, the dog's experiences as a puppy are especially important. I remember when my dog was young, he was once robbed of his food by another dog, and he has been very protective of his food ever since.
- Anxiety and Stress: Again, anxiety and stress are factors. My dog had a period of time when, due to a move, the environment changed, and he became particularly nervous, even eating carefully, afraid others would steal his food.
- Lack of Training: In terms of training, I have to admit that I didn't teach him much about food rules before. I then realized that dogs need to learn to share and understand that humans are the providers of food so that they can relax.
- Pain or Discomfort: Pain or discomfort can be a big problem too. One time, my dog had a problem with his teeth, and it hurt to eat, so he was mean to everyone at that time.
- Territorial Instincts: Finally, a dog's territorial instincts should not be overlooked. My dog sees his food bowl as his territory, and no one can get close to it.
So, there are many reasons why dogs are protective of their food, and the right remedy is needed.
Manifestations of Food Aggression in Dogs
Heck, when it comes to that furry little guy in my house, he's so protective of his food that I love and get mad at him! It manifests itself in a variety of ways, so let me give you the details:
- Snarling or growling: Every time I come near his food bowl, he makes that low growling sound as if to say “This is my place, don't you dare move!”
- Stiffness: While eating, he maintains an alert posture, his body is tense as a board, and his ears and tail are stiff, as if he's ready to respond to an emergency.
- Showing Teeth: He will show his possessiveness of his food by showing his teeth or curling his lips in a way that is both irritating and amusing.
- Aggressive Behavior: Although he rarely does this, if someone or another animal does threaten his food, he may not hesitate to act aggressively, which makes me a little worried sometimes.
- Rapid eating: To prevent its food from being taken away, it always gobbles it up and eats it quickly, so fast that it's almost as if someone is competing with it.Here's a secret, you can slow down your dog's eating with PUPPHUB's TheZero Splash Ultimate Bowl.
- Transferring food: Sometimes, he will secretly hide the food or eat in another place, probably because he thinks it is safer, this little guy is really smart and cunning.
- Avoiding eye contact: When eating, it always avoids looking at me, probably because it doesn't want me to see its little mind, or it doesn't want to attract unnecessary attention.
Every time I see these little actions of its, I feel funny and heartbroken. After all, as its owner, I have to understand these little habits of its, and at the same time ensure its safety and health.
Why is it important to stop food aggression in dogs?
When it comes to food aggression in dogs, I can really relate. This little guy's temperament can really cause a lot of trouble if it's not properly disciplined. Let me tell you about it:
Keeping Kids Safe
My dog is especially sensitive to food, and since the kids are small and don't really know what's going on in the dog's mind, it's easy to unintentionally piss him off. I have to be careful not to let this aggressive behavior of the dog hurt my babies.
Promote harmony between the dog and other pets
There are other pets in my house and the dog's food-aggressive behavior can get on their nerves. I have to educate my dog to learn to coexist peacefully with other little ones so that the house can be peaceful.
Enhance the dog's socialization skills
I don't want to limit my dog's participation in various social activities just because of his food aggression. I want him to be a socializer and be welcomed everywhere.
Prevent worsening of behavioral problems
I have to correct this kind of behavior of my dog in time or he may go more and more over the top, even with toys and beds. I don't want to see him become a “bully”.
Prolonging the dog's life and quality of life
Chronic food aggression is not good for the dog's mental health, and I don't want him to be put away or unhappy because of this behavior. I want him to be healthy and happy.
Maintaining a trusting relationship between owner and dog
My dog's food aggression behavior can sometimes give me a headache, but I have to be patient, after all, our trusting relationship is important. I have to make our relationship stronger by doing it the right way.
In short, I have to teach my dog to be a good boy with good manners and rules. This is good for him, his family and other pets.
How to gradually help your dog get rid of food aggression?
Fixing your dog's food-protective behavior is really a job that requires patience and persistence. I have some tips here that I hope will help:
Phase 1: Getting my dog used to me being around
- I need to be quiet and not scare him. Find a quiet corner and sit or stand far away from him without staring directly at him.
- I'll use body language to tell him that I'm not a threat. Move slowly and don't make him nervous.
- I'd let him see me, but not interrupt his meal.
- Slowly, I'll try to get closer to him and see if he's okay with that.
- I'll do this at every feeding to get him used to me being there when he eats.
Phase 2: Training with Snacks
- I'll throw him a snack while he's eating to make him think something good is happening when I'm around.
- When he gets used to it, I will slowly approach his food.
- I will use a calm voice to communicate with him, to make him feel happy.
Phase 3: Chatting while eating
- I will talk to him in a gentle voice to make him feel at ease.
- I will praise him with words like “good boy” and “great” to let him know that my voice is positive.
- I will use the same words and tone of voice each time so he understands what I mean.
- If he seems tense, I will stop speaking until he is relaxed.
- I will slowly increase the number of times I talk to him until he can eat while I am talking.
- I will use non-verbal cues, such as smiling or nodding, to improve communication.
- I will use simple commands like “eat” to let him know that I am encouraging him to eat.
- I will pay attention to how he responds to what I say. If he relaxes, I continue; if he tenses up, I have to slow down.
- I will talk to him in different places so that he accepts me in all situations.
- I know it will take time, so I have to be patient and not rush.
Phase 4: Hand feeding your dog
We've reached the fourth stage of dog training, and it's a crucial time. I'm going to hand-feed him so he can get used to my hand being there when he eats and associate me with good food.
- I will pick out some snacks that he especially likes, and they have to be more appealing to him than his usual meals.
- I'll slowly spread my hand out in front of him so he can see the food, and I'll do it gently so I don't scare him.
- I have to let the dog take the food by himself, without shoving it, so that he will see my hand as a good friend who delivers the food.
- When he gets used to it, I will approach him slowly until I can feed him with my hand next to him.
- I will also communicate with him using gentle and encouraging words to make him feel happy.
- I will slowly add his usual food into the mix so that he can get used to taking all kinds of food from my hand.
- I can also control the speed and amount of food I give, so the dog knows it's from me and won't be so protective of the food.
- If he gets nervous, I will stop for a while and wait for him to relax before continuing.
- I have to do this every time to get him used to me hand-feeding him.
- I will also use training commands such as “sit” or “wait” to reinforce his listening skills.
- I will carefully observe his reaction and adjust my actions according to his performance.
- I will practice in different places so that the dog can accept me in various environments.
Phase 5: Gently touch the dog's bowl but don't move it while he is eating
By Stage 5, I am going to gently touch his bowl while he is eating but not move it. This will help him get more used to my touch and reduce his food-guarding response. If you're worried, about shifting the dog bowl by mistake you can opt for PuppHub non slip dog bowl.
- I'll pick a time when he's happily eating, but not particularly protective of his food.
- I will gently touch the bowl with the hand I don't use often, so the dog feels less threatened.
- I'll start outside the bowl so as not to disturb him.
- If he doesn't respond, I will praise him or pet him right away.
- I will slowly increase the number of times I touch the bowl and see how he reacts each time.
- If he doesn't mind me touching the outside, I will try to gently put my hand inside, but still without disturbing his meal.
- I will remain calm and patient and stop if he is uncomfortable.
- I will also use training commands to reinforce positive behavior.
- I will make sure he has plenty of food so he doesn't guard his food out of fear of running out.
- I'll avoid sudden movements so I don't scare him.
- I will practice in different places so that he can accept me in various environments.
- I will also keep track of his progress so that I can see the results of the training and adjust my methods if necessary.
Phase 6: Briefly picking up your dog's bowl while he eat
We've finally come to Stage 6 of dog training, and it's a big one. I have to get the dog used to me taking the bowl away while he eats. It's a challenge, but I'm sure we can do it!
- Before I start, I need to make sure that my dog is used to me gently touching the bowl while he eats, and that he doesn't react badly to the contact.
- I will choose the first time my dog starts to eat.
- I would pick a time when the dog is just starting to eat and is not as possessive of his food.
- I would approach the dog calmly, with no sudden movements or noises, so as not to frighten him.
- I will give a cue, such as “look at me,” before picking up the bowl so that the dog will turn his attention to me.
- I will pick up the bowl quickly but steadily while the dog is distracted, doing so gently so as not to frighten him.
- As soon as I pick up the bowl, I will praise the dog or give him a small treat so he knows it's the right thing to do.
- After picking up the bowl, I will pause for a few seconds before putting the bowl down and letting the dog continue to eat.
- As the training progresses, I will slowly extend the time I hold the bowl so that the dog gets used to it being gone for a short period of time.
- If the dog tenses or shows signs of aggression while I'm picking up the bowl, I will stop immediately and return to the previous steps.
- I have to repeat the process each time so that the dog gets more and more used to it.
- When I put the bowl down for the dog to continue eating, I will use a training command, such as “Eat,” so that the dog understands it better.
- I will always observe the dog's reaction and adjust the training progress according to his feelings.
- I will also practice in different places so that the dog can adapt to my movements in various environments.
Phase 7: We're going to start switching the dog's food bowl while he's eating.
- When the dog is almost finished eating, I will change his bowl to a new bowl filled with more food.
- If the dog doesn't get angry or attack me when I switch bowls, I will give him some positive feedback. For example, petting his head or giving him some small reward.
Phase 8: We're going to mess around a little bit while the dog is eating.
- I will throw a small toy while the dog is eating. Or call it by its name. Create a little distraction.
- I will observe the dog's reaction to these small disturbances. See if the dog has gotten used to my presence while it is eating.
Phase 9: Other members of the family should also join in the feeding.
- I will ask the rest of the family to help with the feeding as well. This way the dog will respond favorably to everyone's proximity.
- Our whole family will follow the same steps and principles to train the dog. This will ensure that the training is effective.
Phase 10: We have to stick to the training and not relax.
- Even if the dog's aggressive behavior towards food improves, we still need to keep practicing to reinforce the good behaviors he has learned.
- Every dog learns at a different speed and adapts differently. So we need to be patient and take our time throughout the training process.
Other tips
- Consistency: you know, dogs love routine too. I like to put the food bowl in the same place at the same time every day, and they know, “Oh, it's time to eat! That way they know what's going on and don't spend all day worrying about when they're going to get their food.
- Separate eating: Oops, if there are several dogs in the house, the meal time can be very lively. In order to prevent them from fighting over a bite of food, I feed them separately. This way, each dog can enjoy their own food quietly and harmoniously.
- Moderate feeding: I have to keep an eye on my dogs, don't let them starve, and don't support them. If they are hungry, they may get a little bit angry, and who can stand it? So I have to control the amount, let them eat enough, but not too much.
- Professional help: If my dog is particularly sensitive to food, always protect food, then I may have to find a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to help. After all, sometimes we can't do it ourselves, a professional, the problem may be solved.
Conclusion
Patience and persistence are the key to handling dog food attacks. You also need to use some positive rewards. According to the methods I mentioned earlier, keep training, and your dog should be able to slowly get rid of this habit.
Remember, every dog has its own little temper. Maybe this method works for this dog, but not for the other. Therefore, you have to pay attention to your dog's reaction, see how the training effect is, and then adjust the training method according to the situation. Don't worry, take your time, your dog will become more and more relaxed and feel more and more secure when eating.