my dog has food agression what do i do?

Question

he barks and growls but he has never bitten anyone but i am afraid that he will one day? what should i do to make him quit???

Answer 1

Here are some steps to follow:

1. For about a week, feed him by hand only. Each meal. He should have no access to his food dish, only you give out the kibble.

2. Permanently - change the feeding schedule so you and your family eat first, THEN feed the dog. This puts you #1 in the pecking order.

3. After feeding by hand for a week or so, return to feeding out of the bowl. But only put a small amount of kibble in the bowl. Once he finishes it (which shouldn't take long), walk over and drop in another small portion of kibble. Feed him bit by bit in this way for about a week. His entire meal should be handed out in small increments by you and other family members. He should be learning that when you approach the dish, it's a GOOD thing. If he still growls, start again at step 1.

4. Next, feed his entire meal in the bowl. Walk over twice per meal and casually drop in a really tasty treat, like a piece of hot dog. This reinforces the fact that having people near the bowl is a good thing. The whole family needs to do this. This should be continued, every once in a while, forever - to keep reminding him.

** Never walk up and grab his food bowl away while he's eating - this gives him a reason to want to protect it from you!

Good luck.

Answer 2

Are you the one that feeds the dog? Is he aggressive to you too? If you think your dog may bite, then trust your instinct.
First, I would not let anyone other than the person feeding the dog near him when he has food in his bowl - ever - until he is no longer showing any signs of aggression.
One method of training your dog out of food aggression is to (from a safe distance) first throw a couple of treats on the floor near the bowl, when he's comfortable with that, then throw the treats in the bowl, this helps him to learn that someone coming near the food can be a good thing. This will take some time, (weeks if he's really dominant) but better to take is slowly. When you feel comfortable and safe, and only then, you can have him eat treats from your hand while he's eating. Some people suggest (again only at a later stage of training out of food aggression - and may not be right at all in your situation) putting the food bowl on your lap, this can be dangerous as you don't want the dog to be near your face. Above all, take your time, depending on how dominant he is, how trainable he is it's not going to change overnight. But consistency is key, throw treats down every time you feed him.
My dog's mom won't let anyone near her (even her owner) as he never trained her or set limits. I trained her puppy from the day that I got her and she has zero food aggression around people.
Another thing that I do, as do a lot of owners, is make the dog sit and stay before you put the food bowl down, this reinforces your alpha position in the pack. You control when your dog can and can not eat, don't let the dog control you.
Hope this helps, stay safe and good luck!

Answer 3

There are two methods to deal with this..If you are a minor, (by age) the FIRST one is preferred.
!. Teach the dog to sit, if he doesn't already know...
Put his food down twice per day.
Command him to sit for a full minute before he can have his dinner.
Pick up the bowl after 15-20 minutes.
the first few days he may not eat enough in 20 minutes, if he is used to having it free all day..but be firm, and he will quickly learn.
TO TEACH SIT:

Holding a treat in your left hand just above the pup's nose, gently rest your right hand on pup's rump.
Slowly move the treat in an upward motion while applying gentle pressure to the rump. ( you don't want to push hard because if you do the dog will sit every time someone touches him and this is not good for competitive obedience)
as soon as pup sits say in a very happy excited tone "GOOD SIT" and give the treat.
Repeat exercise 7x. then take a play break and move on to something else.
very young pups should not train for more than a half hour each day
every time you put food bowl down or give a treat give the sit command, and wait for the sit. then once pup sits give treat or food down.
DO NOT move on to something new until pup has the new command down pat.

2. (only under adult supervision) Pour a full day's worth into a bowl so that you can divide it into 2 feedings. ..feed each piece by hand..feed at least twice per day by this method..If he shows any agitation, put him in another area for about 2 minutes, and begin again.
In just 2 or 3 days, he should be acting a gentleman at feeding time...
this method will reinforce your role as leader, and will aid in all training and behaviors.

Answer 4

barking and growling at the food dish should not be tolerated. I would also suspect he shows signs of dominance elsewhere. Take his food away. He needs to know your the head of the pack. Consider obedience classes to help you learn how to handle the situation better, it offers your dog socialization and itll be fun for you both

Answer 5

Go to www.doggiebagonline.com/forum and ask your question there. There are a ton of people that will love to help you with your problem. And do not listen to people on here that may tell you to put your dog down because of this. My dog had food aggression issues with our other dog when we first adopted her and I got her to quit shortly after coming into the home.

Answer 6

sit with him and make him eat out of you hand.feed dry food its not as messy hold 10 or 12 pieces in your hands and let him eat that when he has finished get more do this every time he eats. he will learn not to bit the hand that feeds him. but other people will have to be careful of him he will bit them so they will have to do the some thing .anyone who is going to be with this dog should feed him this way. good luck

Answer 7

wat u have to do is try clicker training him get some biscuits to start off with and but a clicker from the pet store and when he is good and he heres the clicker give him a treat then he will get into a routine cos he will no every time the clicker goes hes gonna get some food, wat sort of dog is it and how old did u get him as a puppy or not.

dog owner

Answer 8

you need to socialize him more . when he gets that way , take away his food . establish yourself as the alpha in the pack , and enforce it . reward his good behavior , punish the bad . if the problem persists , take him to obedience classes .

best of luck !