Dog Food Aggression
Do you have a Jekyll and Hyde dog? Is your dog normally well behaved until there is food in his
bowl? A dog with dog food aggression issues is a danger to anyone that approaches his food. Dog food
aggression can range from mild to severe.
Mild to Severe Cases of Dog Food Aggression
In the mildest of cases a dog merely freezes up when someone approaches his food as he is
eating. In other severe cases, a dog that is normally well behaved bares his teeth and gets ready to attack. Some
severe symptoms include speed eating, a viscous stare, a lifted lip baring her teeth, a snarl, a snap and finally
an actual bite.
A dog who is experiencing dog food aggression is confused. The dog is not recognizing the person
who feeds him as the alpha leader. He feels that you are going to try to steal his food, and so the
aggression. Food is a major pleasure source in a dog's life.
Alpha Dog Leader
In the wild the alpha dog is never disturbed when eating and no one else eats until the alpha dog
is completely satisfied. The alpha dog eats undisturbed. The alpha dog eats as much as he desires. A dog that is
allowed to eat in solitude has a tendency for food aggression. This can cause a dog to assume the role of
alpha dog in your household.
A dog may develop dog food aggressopm at any stage of its life. The tendency for dog
food aggression and the guarding of food may be awakened by an item of particular juiciness such as a
steak, a special bone or dinner scraps. Because of the possibility of your dog developing dog
food aggression prevention of the syndrome should be your aim.
Prevention Technique For Dog Food Aggression
When it comes to meal time make your dog wait until your meal has ended. Be stern do not
allow your dog to beg under your table. Have your dog sit a few feet away awaiting eagerly your notice
that it is time for him to eat. You want him to be attentively watching you while you eat.
Do not allow him to eat in solitude. Feel free to disturb him while he is eating. Occasionally
add something good and tasty to his food while he is actively eating. This will teach the idea that humans add good
things to the food.
Dog Food Aggression
Correcting Dog Food Aggression
Stage One - Hand Feeding
If your dog already has the problem of dog food aggression, the training technique must be
modified to correct this problem. Your dog's food dish should be put away for a week or so. During this period
you will be feeding your dog by hand. You will be giving your dog one small bite at a time. Do not allow any
aggressive action, snapping or grabbing for the food. If it occurs the meal time stops until he has calmed down and
is under control. When your dog regains control praise him and initiate hand feeding again.
Stage Two - Return the Dog Dish
Begin the second stage of retraining when your dog is eating politely out of your hand.
You can now return the dog dish. The dish should remain empty until you occasionally walk by and drop a handful of
kibble for him to eat. When your dog has eaten this food completely you may add another small handful of
kibble. Continue repeating this procedure until the full meal is consumed. Remember your dog is eating at
your convenience. Have him wait a minute or two before adding a handful to his bowl. This will create a desire
to have you near his food bowl.
Stage Three - Dog Dish Half Full
In stage three you place half of the planned meal in the food dish. Place the dish on the counter
for awhile. Have your dog sit and wait in anticipation of the meal. Do not allow him to lunge at the bowl
and gobble it down. Crouch beside your dog's dish as he is eating and slowly add the remainder
of his meal to the dog dish. Your dog should not be gobbling the food down and he should wait happily in
anticipation for the meal to be placed on the floor. When these conditions are met you can go on to stage
four.
Stage Four - Full Access to Full Dish of Dog Food
Stage four is the final stage in which you allow full access to a full dish of food.
You are to make your dog aware that he is NOT the alpha dog. Your dog must sit and wait,
awaiting your permission before he can eat. Occasionally, once or twice a week, call your dog away from
his food. When he comes reward him with a delicious treat or two and praise him for his obedience.
Your dog must be fully accepting of each step before going onto the next. If at any
time your dog falls back into his old habit begin retraining again.
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