my 5 mth old springer is possesive over food?

Question

when my dog has food or treats he will let me take anything of him but the rest of my family he growls and bears his teeth i am so worried because ive got a 5yr old son we can all take his toys of him but he is so different when it is food please help

Answer 1

Food aggression is dangerous and should NEVER be tolerated. This is a behavioural problem and unfortunately will only get worse if left alone. I would recommend finding a dog trainer who specializes in this area to help give you ideas or even to help you train your dog to not act this way.

You can try handfeeding your pup and sitting on the floor with him while he is eating out of his bowl, taking his bowl away for a second and adding something extra special to it ie. chunks of hotdog. That way he is learning to trust that you are not looking to take his food or harm him while he is vulnerable and eating. Good luck!

Answer 2

Food aggression is very serious and difficult to solve and even more so with a young child in the house. You need to work with a professional trainer and you must not allow your 5-year old anywhere near your dog when either one has food.

Food aggression is such a serious problem that I would seriously consider finding a new home for the dog with someone who does not have young children. I'd suggest using www.petfinder.com to find a springer rescue near you. I'm sorry to say this, but I know of some really bad bites that have occurred from food aggressive dogs and children are at real risk because they don't understand the danger.

Answer 3

Apart from professional trainer advice, you can have other members of the family feed the dog. He's quite young to be developing food aggression, so hopefully you should be able to train him out of it.

One trick I've seen work well is to sit by the dog's bowl at feeding time and put small amounts of food in it. Don't approach him while he's still eating, but every time you put your hand to the bowl put more food in it. This way he works out that you're adding food (not taking it away), and that the food belongs to you. Once he's used to you doing it, let others in the family try. Eventually, if there are no signs of aggression at all you can let your son try (strictly supervised of course).

I'd advise strongly against taking his food off him or being at all aggressive toward him - both will make him feel as if he needs to defend the food. Your aim is for him to be relaxed when he eats with people near him.

Basic training in other areas - the normal sit, fetch, heel etc. - also seems to help in situations like this, especially if you involve other members of your family. Even your son can have the dog sit on command. This reinforces his dominance over the dog and will help deepen their bond and help the dog learn his place in the family. As well as this, springers are intelligent dogs that usually really enjoy training sessions. Giving them something to occupy their minds seems to prevent other behavioural problems. There are lots of good books on training, or you could go to local classes.

A professional dog trainer could be a good idea if you feel out of your depth, but get a real behaviourist that will visit you in your home and assess the situation there, and advise you on how to deal with it. Good luck!

Answer 4

Food agression is a very serious danger. You *must* get professional advice. Many no-kill shelters won't take food-agressive dogs and most regular shelters put a food-agressive dog down because training them out of it is a long process.
I love all animals but with a small son, in your position I would think seriously whether to get another pet. Otherwise, have the dog professionally trained (and participate in the training so he learns to obey you, not just the trainer) and be VERY careful about having your dog around your son and other people until you are absolutely sure the issue is resolved. Because a food-agressive dog doesn't differentiate age, relationship or anything else--he just bites.

Answer 5

I was advised to encourage the whole family to take my dogs food away from him to stroke him when he's eating move his bowl, and randomly be annoying whilst your dog tries to eat the others are right do not tolerate this behaviour, as long as he's showing no signs of biting with your supervision get your son to take his food bowl off of him, or start by letting your son give the food making sure the dog follows simple commands from your son such as sit and leave if your dog behaves inappropriately take your dogs food away and try again in ten minutes he needs to know growling and flashing his teeth will not get him what he wants and you will not tolerate this.

Answer 6

This is quite a common behaviour problem.If you and your family have been taking his food away i.e letting your dog eat then picking it up to try and establish dominance,then stop doing this.There is no reason why you should try and remove his food while he is trying to eat,as you know this results in the dog becoming defensive around food.Do not let your child around your dog unsupervised while he is eating.Try giving his food in a different method,there are some great toys on the market such as kongs and roll n treat balls,which you simply fill up with part of his dinner or some nice treats then let your dog work to get them out.This way your dog has a diffrent form of dinner time and it takes his mind off trying to guard it.Alot of pups do go through this period he is now entering the adolecence stage where he will challenge your position in the pack and you have to be firm and consistent with him.Dont let anyone else in the house hold take food away from him apart from you,there is no reason why they should all be able to take it away.Explain to your child not to bother with the dog while he is eating,get into some training classes aswell,or ask your vet to refer you to a behaviourist.Food aggresion should be nipped in the bud and not ignored.Good luck.

Answer 7

this sounds like an indoor dog and I've never kept a hunting dog indoors but it sounds like a socialization/ training issue. there are several exercises to do to help overcome food issues but I would never give advice away from the office when a child is involved. the dog and the child should be separated until you are confident that this issue has been resolved. Please call your vet office and speak to the tech about this for appropriate advice. they will be happy to help you.

Answer 8

He needs a dog trainer or animal behaviourist in pronto.

Answer 9

The only way to deal with this situation is see an obiedience trainer.

Answer 10

feed in another room and don't let anyone near at feeding time. my dog does this and its horrible. i keep my kids well away they know not to go near when she is eating and not to take anything off her especially food.