| You've probably heard it a hundred times: "Don't | | | | don't put anything in it. After a while, walk by and |
| bother the dog while he's eating." This is probably | | | | drop a couple of pieces of kibble in it. When he |
| good advice for small children who shouldn't be trying | | | | eats it, keep adding small handfuls of food every |
| to play with the dog at mealtime. However, a dog | | | | couple of minutes until his meal is finished. At this |
| that's always by himself when he eats may be | | | | point, he'll probably be begging you to walk up to his |
| learning a lesson about food aggression in dogs that | | | | bowl. |
| you'd rather he didn't. | | | | In about ten days, you'll progress to putting a |
| In the wild, the leader of the dog pack is always the | | | | half-filled bowl of dog food on the floor. Walk up to |
| first one to eat, usually by himself. It's easy for | | | | him as he's eating, and as you go by, drop in a couple |
| your dog to get the wrong idea if you always leave | | | | of treats. Then walk up again and add the rest of |
| him alone at mealtime. This can lead to aggressive | | | | his food. |
| dog behavior in the form of him snapping or growling | | | | The last step is to put a full bowl of food down for |
| at anyone who ventures too close while he's eating. | | | | him while he's obeying the sit-stay command. He |
| Don't Let Dog Food Aggression Get Started | | | | does not eat until you release him. This is where |
| When your dog is still a puppy, always feed him after | | | | the leash comes in handy, as you have control over |
| you and your family have already eaten. This | | | | him for this step, but hopefully you won't need to |
| reinforces the idea for him that you and your family | | | | use it. Once or twice a week, call him over to you |
| members all rank above him in the pack. | | | | while he's eating and reward him with a treat he |
| When you feed your puppy, anyone should be able | | | | really likes. |
| to approach him while he's eating. Slipping a little | | | | Always use the sit-stay, wait, and take-it commands |
| treat into his bowl teaches him that it's good for | | | | when you feed him so that your dog understands |
| someone to get close. | | | | that you're in charge of the food. This reinforces |
| Four Steps To Control Food Aggression In Dogs | | | | your status as the alpha dog for him. |
| An older dog who is already using aggressive dog | | | | If your dog reverts to his old dog food aggression |
| behavior to protect his food will require different | | | | behavior, start again at step one. |
| training. | | | | Look For A Good Dog Training Course |
| Spend about ten to fourteen days on each of these | | | | Food aggression in dogs is a dominance issue that's |
| steps. You'll need to do these things every time | | | | usually a symptom of other problems in the |
| you feed your dog. If your dog is extremely | | | | relationship between the owner and the dog. A |
| aggressive around food, you may need to keep him | | | | good basic dog obedience course can work |
| on a leash for your own protection. | | | | wonders. |
| The first thing you'll do is to put his food dish away | | | | Look for a course that includes a free consultation |
| for a couple of weeks. Your dog will be eating out | | | | with an experienced dog trainer. Check for |
| of your hand for a while. Feed him just a few | | | | testimonials from satisfied customers who have used |
| pieces of dog food at a time, until his meal is finished. | | | | the course material already. |
| After a couple of weeks, you can progress to the | | | | Take this advice to begin solving your problem with |
| next stop. Get out your dog's food bowl again, but | | | | dog food aggression now. |