Though we would like to believe otherwise, food is a dog’s first priority. It is completely natural for a dog to defend their food and is not a defect, but food aggression is definitely something we want to train them out of. The fact is, if your dog thinks you’re coming to take their food, they’ll react accordingly.
Thus, the first step to successful training is to convince your dog that your presence is an awesome thing. We want to teach your dog that if you approach while they’re eating, they’ll be getting something good. Pets, treats, a ‘good girl’. After that, we can work on getting your dog comfy with other people coming nearby while they eat, too.
The Method
The training for this is simple. Every day when you feed your dog, have a small baggy of treats in your pocket. Feed them, walk away, then come back when they’re mid-chew. As you walk by (and preferably without stopping), drop a treat in their bowl. Do this 3-5 times throughout their feeding session. Over the next two weeks, gradually get closer and closer to their bowl each time, and pause longer and longer.
As you walk by … drop a treat in their bowl. Do this 3-5 times throughout their feeding session.
For example, on the first day you’ll drop the treat on or around the bowl without stopping. On the second day, maybe you’ll pause, drop the treat directly on the bowl, then go. On the third day, come to a full stop and hold your hand with the treat a bit above your dog’s bowl. Watch your dog’s posture! If they stiffen, you’re worrying them and they’re on-guard to see what you’ll do next. If they growl or bare their teeth at all, immediately pull your hand away, no treat dropped, and walk away. Don’t give them anymore treats that day.
It’s imperative for you to progress incredibly slowly, perhaps doing the walk-by method for a whole 1-2 weeks before even slowing near the dog. This is especially true if your dog was a runt, from a puppy mill, in a pet store, or ever lost or surrendered to a shelter. These dogs tend to be more possessive of their food because they don’t trust it will always be available. Your job as their pet parent is to teach them that they will always have enough and instill the confidence they need to relax even when someone picks up their bowl.
The Schedule
Here is my very rough timeline for training a dog to be less food possessive. Please go with your gut and take extra time for each step as needed. Ideally, you want your dog to be totally relaxed with the current step before you take it to the next level. These are all done when your dog is eating. Tip: Use small but high-value treats. Diced ham works really well, as do homemade treats!
- Walk by at a normal pace without stopping, dropping a treat in (or around!) your dog’s bowl as you go. Do this 3-5 times a day.
- Walk by, slowing down when you get close, and drop a treat into your dog’s food bowl. Do this 3-5 times a day.
- Walk to your dog, stop, and drop a treat into your dog’s bowl from a few feet above it. Do this 3-5 times a day.
- Walk to your dog, stop, and drop a treat into your dog’s bowl from a single foot above it. Do this 3-5 times a day.
- Walk to your dog, stop, and place a treat in your dog’s bowl. Do this 3-5 times a day.
- Walk to your dog, stop, pick up your dog’s bowl, place a high value treat into the bowl, then place the bowl back in front of your dog. Do this 3-5 times a day.
At this point, your dog should feel total comfortable with you coming around while they eat. If you want to get them comfortable with others, have friends and family members do the same steps above, starting with dropping treats around your dog while they eat. Your dog may immediately infer that the person is safe from just step one alone.
All animals are possessive of their food, even humans!
Remember though: No one but the dog’s owner should be touching its food. All animals are possessive of their food (even humans!), especially when they have no control over its arrival. Give your dog some grace while curbing the aggressive side of this misbehavior.
Wishing you many treats for you and your pup,
Naomi
