dog is food agressive :/?!!?

Question

my dog was a stray for all its life as far as we know its only 3 months old just got over parvo and acts a little food aggresive not bad but it scares me a little, i realize her being a stray and all that she probably took every chance she ate in one bite then ran... how do i show her that i'm nice and that she doesnt have to worry about finding her own food anymore?

Answer 1

First off, if she is only 3-4 months old, she has no understandign of what it means to be aggressive, especially not food aggressive. Next, to help her get over it, have her SIT before you put her food down. I do this with all my dogs from the very first day they are brought home regardless of how old or how big/mean they are. They learn taht I am the one who feeds them and if they don't do as I say, they don't eat at that moment. Try this, place the food in the bowl while on a counter or somehwere she cant reach. Make sure she sees you put the food in teh bowl. Next, go over to the area where you will feed her. Stand still and say "SIT" in a firm voice. If she doesn't know what this means, lower the bowl just over her head and while she is looking up move the bowl back over her shoulders. Gravity and body structure will make her sit. As soon as she sits start lowering the bowl to the floor. If she gets up or starts for the bowl, lift it up again. Do this until you can place the bowl on the ground without her moving or lifting her butt off the floor. Then and only then let her eat. Walk away. Give her 10-15 minutes alone to eat. If for what ever reason you have to pick the bowl up or reach into the bowl again while she is eating, grab her collar and pull her back THEN pick up the bowl. This might take a couple days, but eventually she'll realize "hey, i have to sit for her to put the bowl down. Okay, i'll wait. She put it down. Now I can eat." Now, since she is young, you might want to wait for her to finish. Once she finishes, call her over to you and pet her. NO kisses on the face or forehead. Only petting for now. In time, she will get accustomed to you and you feeding her and when you feed here, she will be welcoming.

Answer 2

First, don't ever pull your hand away from your dog, if you do that you are showing your dog he is the pack leader. Hand feed your dog as much as possible, mix the food with your hands to get your scent on the food, make him sit and stay before putting the food down for him. All of these things will help your dog understand you are his pack leader and you decide when he eats what he eats and how he eats. If you can use caution and you know you wont pull your hand away, put your hand in his bowl while he is eating if you show the dog you are the dominate one he wont bite you or growl at you. But this needs to be done using common sense and after you have done everything else. Good Luck KG

Answer 3

You don't want to be nice when it comes to aggression. If you act timid or back down when she growls then she's going to think that you are the submissive dog in the pack and she is the alpha dog. I would make her sit everytime you feed her. That way she's knows that she has to follow your rules before she gets the food. Then progress to getting her to wait before she eats it (sit and stay). If she sits and starts to get up while you are putting the dish down stand up again with the dish and don't put it down until she is sitting and pay attention to you. You could also try to teach her that sometimes you want the food and it is yours. If you are just sitting watching tv have a bowl with some kibble in it. If she tries to get up and get it say firmly (not yelling) NO. And make a move towards her. In this way you are telling her that you are the alpha. When she is calm and relaxed around you and the food then you can give her a piece. Do this consistently over time and it should help. Don't give up on this though. I have a 4 month old puppy we got from the streets and he started that with me and with our other older dog and we took care of that fast and hasn't done it since.

Answer 4

If you got your mini from a registered breeder they should have given you loads of info about the breed and the fact they love their food and can be food protective if you do not train from Day 1.Schnauzers can be gluttons especially minis and check to see if you are feeding him enough as l am sure you are but this could be an issue.You should have been advised to train your dog to sit before he was allowed to eat his food and also the fact that y You could remove a bone or his food without him growling or going for you.He is obviously food aggressive and this is not uncommon in schnauzers.You will now if you can reestablish your dominance or your alpha status in this household as at present he is the boss not you.It is not hard to train the schnauzers as they a re called the dog with a brain and can be manipulative,demanding and never forget anything.Have a look at some mini schnauzer sites and if in the States there is the American MINI schnauzer Club which will have loads of training advice for you.Look up the AKC site and you will find some branches near to where you live and you may be able to contact some breeder and ask for help in solving this problem or you can live with it.l breed standard schnauzers and they actually do love food but do not gobble or eat fast at all unless they think one of the other dogs will eat their food.Good luck

Answer 5

Time. In time after she knows she is being fed every day by you and that she doesn't have to fight to eat she will stop. I wouldn't worry about it right now, she needs time. Just make sure no one especially a child goes around her when food of any kind is around. Take the dog out of that situation if you have to put her in another room when a kid is around with food . I had one the same way. She was always a little skiddish of kids. I had to have her put down 2 mos. ago she was at least 14 yrs. we had her that long,. she had cancer and I couldn't let her suffer. I loved her too much for that. She was the best! So take time, give time and allow her to realize she is being taken care of and that she is loved and fed. Good luck.

Answer 6

Some people would tell you that if your dog is food aggressive, she's dangerous and should be put to sleep. I don't agree with that. Since she's young as far as you know, there may be a way to train her NOT to be food aggresive. Speak with a reliable trainer. Ask the vet to recommend one.
This dog has had to struggle for food and is probably very afraid that some other animal is going to steal it. If you have no children in the house and no children visiting the house during her meal time, things may be all right. I won't put my hand in my dog's food bowl.
Please do your best to re-train her. I wish you the best.

Answer 7

It's normal for a dog to be food agressive. Even if it's not a stray. My dog growls whenever we come within 5 feet of him when he's eating because he doesn't want it taken away! Give her space and in time, she'll learn to love you and grow attached. She'll figure out soon enough that she's in good hands now, just give it some time and be very patient.

Answer 8

while she is eating you have to handle her by stroking and petting and if she growls you need to discipline her like a mama dog. grab the scruff of her neck and give it a hard shake and say no. continue to do this every time she eats anything until she understands that you are the boss. That goes for any and all misbehaviors. Periodically get on top of her forcing her belly to the floor. Don't put all your weight on her, just enough to keep her belly down. Sometimes to train a dog you have to act like one.

Answer 9

Food aggression can be worked with, but it takes more than being "nice." As a matter of fact, it takes being firm and some rules in the house to get this under control and keep it from escalating.

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Answer 10

That's a very good question. On your tv, if you can get " The Dog Whisperer " he does address this. He's very good and shows all kinds of techniques too.