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.
|