Food aggression in dogs

Food aggression in dogs is very common; this does not make them aggressive, naughty or dominant! In fact, food guarding in puppies is usually really easy to resolve if handled correctly. Unfortunately, many owners believe that they should be able to take a puppy’s bowl and do this routinely to ‘teach him who’s boss!’. In fact, if you constantly take things off a puppy you will inadvertently be encouraging them to guard things in the future!

So, how do you stop food guarding dogs from becoming aggressive? Here’s some tips to consider when dog training.

How to stop food aggression in dogs

Food aggression, also known as resource guarding, occurs when a dog displays aggressive behaviours to protect their food or other resources, such as toys or treats, from other dogs or even humans. It’s essential to address food aggression to ensure the safety of all dogs involved and to create a harmonious environment. Here are steps to help stop food aggression towards other dogs:

Consult a Professional: 

Dealing with food aggression can be challenging, especially when it’s sudden food aggression in dogs because a sudden change in behaviour could be due to a number of reasons. It’s crucial to consult a professional dog trainer or behaviourist and a vet, especially if the aggression is severe or if there have been any incidents of aggression or injuries. A virtual behaviour consultation with one of our remote Consultants can help guide you.

Manage the Environment:

• If you are wondering how to stop food aggression towards other dogs, feed the dogs separately: If you have multiple dogs, feed them in separate rooms or crates to prevent direct access to each other’s food.
• Remove high-value items: Avoid leaving toys or treats lying around when the dogs are together, as this can trigger resource guarding behaviour.
  

Desensitise and Counter Condition:

• Start by feeding the dogs in separate areas, gradually moving their feeding locations closer over time.
• While they eat, offer positive reinforcement like treats and praise for calm behaviour. This helps them associate the presence of other dogs with positive experiences.
• If there are no signs of aggression, you can allow them to eat in closer proximity gradually.
• When you approach their bowl, be sure to ADD food rather than take it away so the dog doesn’t associate your approach with a negative outcome i.e. the removal of the food or item
• Reminder: When you approach their bowl, be sure to add food rather than take it away so that your dog doesn’t associate your approach with a negative outcome such as the removal or food or item. 

Teach “Leave it” and “Drop it” Commands:

• Train your dogs to respond to commands like “leave it” and “drop it.” These commands can be used to redirect their attention away from food or objects they are guarding.
• Practise these commands regularly in non-threatening situations.

Hand-Feeding:

• Consider hand-feeding your dog or using interactive food toys like puzzle feeders. This can    help build a positive association between humans and the dog’s food.

Professional Training: 

• A professional dog trainer or behaviourist can provide tailored training and behaviour modification plans to address food aggression effectively. They may use desensitisation and counter conditioning techniques, behaviour shaping, and controlled interactions to help modify the dog’s behaviour.
  

Stay Consistent:

• Consistency is key when addressing food aggression in dogs. Ensure that all family members and anyone interacting with the dogs follow the same rules and training techniques.

Avoid Punishment:

• People often ask how to punish food aggression in dogs, but really the answer is; don’t. Avoid punishing or scolding a dog for resource guarding, as this can escalate the aggression and worsen the problem. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and behaviour modification techniques.

Monitor Progress:

• Keep a close eye on your dogs during meal times and other situations involving food or resources. Gradually increase the level of interaction between them as you observe improved behaviour.

Patience and Time:

• Changing a dog’s behaviour takes time and patience. Be prepared for setbacks and progress at your dog’s pace.

Remember that each dog is unique, and the severity of food aggression can vary. Consulting a professional is often the best course of action to ensure the safety and well-being of your dogs and to address the issue effectively.

Find more tips on dog training on our blog page.