How to prevent food aggression in dogs
Food aggression in dogs, also known as resource guarding, is a behavioural concern in which dogs become overly protective of their food. This can manifest in a variety of ways, from growling or snapping while eating, to outright aggression towards anyone approaching their food. This behaviour not only poses a risk to other pets and humans in the household but is also a source of stress for your furry friend. In this guide, we will introduce expert tips and practical strategies to prevent and manage food aggression, helping you create a safer and more harmonious environment for everyone involved.
What are the signs of resource guarding?
Your dog growls, or snaps when anyone approaches them while they are eating.
They may eat faster when someone is near them as a means to protect their food.
They show signs of anxiety or stress when eating, such as pacing or whining.
They exhibit aggressive behaviour not just around meals, but also around treats, toys, or other valued resources.
They might hide or hoard food items and react aggressively if you try to retrieve them.
They may start displaying aggression if someone simply enters the room where their food is kept, even if they're not eating at the moment.
Physical signs of fear or stress could be present, like dilated pupils, ears pinned back, or a tucked tail.
What causes food aggression in dogs?
A Dog's Natural Instinct: In the wild, dogs guard their food to ensure survival. Despite domestication, some dogs may retain this instinct to protect what they perceive as critical resources.
Early Life Experiences: Dogs who have been starved, or who had to compete with others for food in their early life, may develop resource-guarding habits.
Fear or Anxiety: Dogs with general anxiety or fear issues may guard their food as a reaction to their anxiety.
Lack of Proper Training: Without proper training, dogs might not understand that it's unnecessary to guard their food in a secure home environment.
Negative Experiences: If a dog has been punished or had food taken away in the past, it might start guarding its food.
Health Issues: Some medical conditions can cause increased hunger or discomfort that can lead to resource guarding.
Changes in Environment: A new pet or family member, or a move to a new location can trigger food-guarding behaviour as the dog may feel its resources are threatened.
How to manage and prevent food aggression in dogs?
Here are a few strategies to prevent and manage food aggression in dogs:
Gradual Desensitisation: Slowly get your dog accustomed to your presence while eating. Begin by standing a distance away while they eat, gradually decreasing this distance over time as they become comfortable.
Counter-Conditioning: Pair the approach of a person with something positive for the dog. For instance, toss a tasty treat towards your dog's dish/bowl as you walk by.
Avoid Confrontation: Do not attempt to take away your dog's food while she's eating, as this could escalate the situation and reinforce the guarding behaviour.
Hand-Feeding: Consider hand-feeding your dog. This can reinforce the bond between you and your pet and reduce food aggression.
Scheduled Feeding Times: Having regular and predictable feeding times can help reduce anxiety and uncertainty around food.
Teach Commands: Teaching commands such as 'Leave it' or 'Wait' can be helpful in managing food aggressive behaviour.
Consult a Professional: If your dog's food aggression is severe or escalating, it's important to seek help from a professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviourist.
A food guarding strategy, step by step:
Here are some top tips from dog expert Steve Huntley who provides the following techniques to stop food aggression:
1: Transferring Your Scent During Feeding: Hold your dog's bowl while feeding them. If your dog eats dry food, rub your hands on the kibble to transfer your scent onto their food. If you mix dry and wet food, add the wet food after you've transferred your scent to the dry kibble. This method allows your dog to smell your scent when they eat. It reinforces the idea that you are sharing your food with them, which can increase their respect for you.
2: Establishing Communication Through Food Rewards: Pick up your dog's bowl and pretend to fill it with food. Hold the empty bowl in front of your dog and wait for them to investigate. Once they realize there's no food and look up at you, say "Yes!" and add a small amount of food to their bowl. Let your dog eat the small portion and then wait for them to look at you again. Repeat the process of saying "Yes!" and adding more food each time they look at you until all the food is gone.
3: Teaching Positive Bowl Removal: Add a little more food to your dog's bowl. While they are eating, gently remove the bowl upwards and away from them. If they don't react negatively, say "Yes!" and add a higher-value treat to their food (like chicken, cheese, or their favourite Lecker Bites treat!). Be careful not to do this too early in the process to avoid aggression. This teaches your dog that having the bowl removed isn't negative, but instead leads to tastier food. By doing this, you become a positive part of their feeding experience. Continue this technique for a week.
4: Creating Positive Associations with Your Approach: Practice walking by your dog's empty bowl. As you approach, throw a piece of high-value food into the bowl. Repeat this process so that your dog starts associating your approach with a positive outcome.
5: Reinforcing Proximity Acceptance During Feeding: As your dog is eating, throw a special treat into their bowl. By this stage of training, your dog should be more relaxed with your presence near their food bowl. This helps your dog accept your proximity while they are eating.
Do dogs grow out of food aggression?
No - you'll need to take some steps to train your dog and correct their behaviour in order to reduce or eliminate food aggression. While some dogs may grow out of some aspects of food aggression (such as guarding a certain type of food), it's important to keep up with training and reinforcement of good behaviours.
Conclusion
Resource guarding isn't just for food, aggressive behaviour can also be seen around toys, beds and even people. Train your dog to associate positive experiences with resources, rather than fearful or protective behaviour. This means teaching them that they don't need to guard, but can still enjoy the good things in life.
Make sure all family members are consistent when it comes to giving rewards for desired behaviours, such as not growling when food is around. Also, remember to never force a dog away from its food and don’t take food away while the dog is eating as this can cause anxiety.
Create space between you and your pet when feeding them by using a mat or setting up boundaries. This gives them their own safe space to eat without fear of being disturbed. Finally, provide plenty of enrichment activities and mental stimulation throughout the day to help keep them occupied and relieve stress.
By following these tips, you can help create a harmonious environment for your pet, and keep everyone safe. With time and patience, resource-guarding behaviours can be prevented or managed in most cases. If the problem persists after trying these techniques, be sure to reach out to a professional behaviourist for further help.
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