How do I train my dogs to stop being territorial over food?

Question

My smooth fox terrier guards the kitchen table and the counter any time a meal is being cooked or served. He likes to hang out near the source of the food in case anything drops and will attack my other dog if she comes too close to the area sometimes resulting in a nasty fight.

Answer 1

Don't allow your smoothie in the kitchen when you are preparing a meal. You are the pack leader and are letting him get away with something he sees you as giving him permission to do. Crate him during meal preparation. Let him out and correct him if he starts to misbehave. If he acts out aggressively, put him back in the crate. It may take awhile but you need to take control back of YOUR kitchen and remind your dog he is just the dog :) Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMPrN

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 3

Absolutely. There should be no dogs in the kitchen when food is being prepared. This is extremely bad manners and the difficulty level of fixing this problem is disproportionately high when you consider that you can get rid of the problem altogether by putting them outside at dinner time. No dog in the world should be allowed to get away with behaviour like this. Put them out; it's your house, not theirs.

Answer 4

You can't.
It's in a dogs nature to be territorial over food.

Answer 5

When it's feeding time, make all dogs sit and feed in order of calmness, they will catch on real quick that the one who sits and stays eats first. This changes the direction of the food competition. Even hyper puppies can do it. After a dog is almost done with his bowl of food, toss in a bit more by hand, this also helps them feel less competitive for food.

Answer 6

All the other suggestions are good, crating, squirt gun, you're the boss, etc, but the first trick in ANY dog training is sit/stay. Especially for hyper terriers. Put him at sit/stay (later (lay)down/stay) somewhere away from the kitchen.

Answer 7

This is part of the dogs personality and position as he sees it in the pecking order. You can be firm is showing your disfavour for this type of behaviour and it may have some effect or you could let the dogs sort it out. It should get better in time when both dogs decide what their position is in the family.

Answer 8

Spray bottle full of water, put it on stream instead of spray. Squirt the dog in the face (or vacinity of the head) whenever it starts. It is effective, and you don't feel like a jerk for hitting an animal. After awhile they will quit when they see the squirt bottle.

you can get one at any dollar store for $1

Answer 9

Training Your Pup
http://www.petskare.com/category/Training-Your-Pup.html

Answer 10

i would not leave food down all day long for your dog. i would schedule feed your dog that helps with dominant issues and also will protect your cat if the food is not there your dog will relax it is actually stressful for your dog to protect food all day long too. good luck