by Pia Silvani
Director of Pet Training and Behavior Counseling
Food dish guarding is a common problem in many households. Such behavior should be taken seriously because guarding can lead to aggressive behavior such as snapping and biting.
There is no definitive explanation as to why some dogs protect their food, while others appear to be very willing to have you put your hands in their dishes while they are eating. In most cases, food dish guarding is the result of past negative experiences while eating or the improper meal time habits practiced by the owner.
Typically, dogs who guard their food have been frightened or threatened by other canines or people while eating. A litter of puppies, for example, may have had to compete with its litter mates for access to the food bowl. A stray dog forced to scavenge for scraps to survive may be understandably less relaxed during meal time. Finally, many pet owners make the mistake of placing their puppy’s food bowl in a corner or crate and never interacting with him while he is eating. We have all heard the expressions, “Never go near a dog when he is eating,” or “Let the dog eat in peace.” This is a popular misconception; once a dog gets used to eating without any intrusion, intrusions may become frightening or threatening to him.
The key is to help the dog acclimate to having people around him when he is eating. This should be done in a non-threatening way. DO NOT pick up his bowl to prove that you can take his food away. If you continually do this, you ARE being threatening and he will eventually see you as a threat. He will not relax when you are present since he will legitimately feel that your presence is associated with his food being taken away.
Once the dog reaches this state of anxiety, he may begin showing one or many warning signs:
- snarling
- curling his lips
- standing very still and eating very slowly
- looking up at you but keeping his head low into the bowl
- interrupting his eating to stare at you
- eating very quickly
- growling
- snapping at the air
- raising fur (hackles) and lunging
If you persist and don’t take these warning signs seriously, the chances of being bitten are high.
Your goal is to associate the presence of people near the food bowl with positive events.
So long as your puppy or dog does not already have a food guarding issue, you can begin with very simple preventative techniques:
- Feed your pet in a variety of places so he gets accustomed to eating wherever you place his bowl. This will come in handy if you travel with your dog. My dogs have always been fed in the car, outdoors, and in various locations throughout the house.
- Periodically walk up to your puppy or dog while he is eating and place some yummy treats into the bowl. Examples might be boiled chicken or meat, cheese, vegetables or just about anything your dog perceives as tastier than his usual meal.
- Periodically pick up your dog’s food bowl and place the same yummy treats into the bowl before you return it to the dog. Your presence and the removal of his food dish means his meal turns into a gourmet delight and it’s all because of you!
- Pet and speak calmly to your dog while he is eating.
After all of the adults in the household have followed these suggestions, it is time to allow children to approach the bowl. Begin with the oldest child first. If your child is old enough to walk the dog, I recommend that he or she feed the dog as well so your pet sees the youngster as an asset. Make sure the children are always closely supervised by an adult when working or handling any dog, no matter how good-natured your pet may be.
If your canine companion already has food issues, seek the help of a professional. Correcting your puppy or dog improperly may only result in increased guarding and eventual threatening or aggressive behaviors. Modifying your dog’s behavior takes time and patience. Keep in mind that dogs who guard their food are anxious and the key is to teach them to relax. Working on these few early preventative exercises will help foster a life-long trusting relationship.
