Have you noticed your dog acting weird or aggressive when you give them their food or a treat? Your dog is most likely food aggressive. This article will go over why your dog is food aggressive, the signs to look for, and ways to prevent this behavior.
Why
Food aggression is essentially your dog telling you or another animal in the house that it’s their food. The main reason they have this behavior is just because it’s instinct. They can either be showing dominance, or they’re anxious someone is going to take the food away from them.
Signs
You may have noticed some of these signs, but here are some others that could possibly occur. It’s also good to know what to look out for if you plan on getting another dog. Here’s what to look out for when you give your pup any type of food:
- Growling
- Their teeth are showing. Their tongue could also begin to flick out as well.
- Stiffening of the body
- Snapping/lunging out at you or another animal
- Biting
Prevention
It’s important to train your dog to be less food aggressive, as it could result in you, a family member, or another animal getting hurt.
Other pets
If you have another dog/pet, then it’s best if both have their space during meal times. Create a designated spot for both pets, so they know where they’ll get fed throughout the day.
For example, when it’s time to feed my 4 dogs they all sit in their designated eating places. They all have enough room away from each other. I make sure they sit and stay there as I prepare their food. And when it’s time to place each bowl down one at a time, I continue to make sure they stay in their spots. The command I use is ‘Go sit (their name)’, however, you can create your own command.
I continue to watch all of them as they eat their food, and make sure none of them go for the others’ meal. They’re obviously not all going to finish eating at the same time, so I either make sure they stay in their spot or I let them outside, as the other(s) finish. When all of them are done eating, I pick up their bowls, and let them wander around freely.
I do this same ‘designated spot’ process when I give each of them treats as well.
You and/or family members
To prevent your dog from lunging, snapping, or biting out towards you or a family member, it’s a good idea to go over some commands that may help. If you have family members that help feed your dog or give them treats, they should practice these commands as well.
Here’s one method to try:
- When it’s your dog’s meal time, tell them to sit where they normally eat.
- Make sure they stay there as you prepare their food.
- When it’s time to put the food bowl down, place the bowl a foot in front of them.
- Make sure they are still seated.
- Stand next to them, and gently pet them.
- You can then congratulate them and allow them to eat.
- When they’ve finished eating, command them to sit.
- Pick up their bowl and place it on your counter.
- You can praise them and give them a treat if you’d like.
If at any moment during this process they begin growling or try to snap at you, correct them by saying a command. For my dogs, I use ‘easy’, ‘enough’, & ‘no’, in that order.
The method above can also be used for giving your dogs treats. If you want your dog to be able to take a treat out of your hand, here’s another way.
- You can start with a small treat, and close your hand around it making a fist.
- Let your dog sniff your hand.
- Then slowly open it, and let them take it.
- Praise them.
If none of the suggested ways work for you, you can always ask your vet for advice and/or look for a professional trainer.