Understanding How to Stop Food Aggression in Dogs

by | Nov 8, 2021 | General Information, Training

A dog’s food aggression can be frightening. It might make you rush to the laptop to look up how to stop food aggression in dogs. It is serious, but there are solutions.

According to an ASPCA survey of shelters, food aggression is among the most frequent reasons a dog is labeled unadoptable. This is because they are deemed too dangerous for new owners. Further, most shelters do not try to improve the dogs’ behavior, and unfortunately, many of these unadoptable dogs are euthanized. 

However, in one study of 97 adopted dogs, food aggression observed in the shelter did not consistently continue in the dogs’ new homes. In an ASPCA study, 96 food-aggressive dogs were trained, and adopters were taught a behavior modification program. The food aggression did not continue after adoption.

Food aggression in dogs is not a hopeless situation. You can learn how to stop food aggression in your dog or hire a dog training expert to help you. 

What is Food Aggression in Dogs?

Food aggression is a specific type of aggression over resources the dog values. The aggressive behaviors a dog displays range from mild to severe. Generally, if you approach or touch your dog while they’re eating, you may see:

  • Mild aggression: showing of teeth and growling
  • Moderate aggression: snapping and lunging
  • Severe aggression: biting

Further, a dog may decide to guard not only their food but also any food within their reach, including food belonging to you, your children, or your guests, or even food you accidentally drop on the floor. A food-aggressive dog is stiff and tense, and they gulp their food as though worried someone will take it away. 

Where Does Food Aggression Come From? 

A Variety of Causes

For dogs, guarding things they value, including food, is natural. It is a behavioral holdover from their wild origins. But this behavior, necessary for survival in the wild, is neither needed nor desired in your home. Therefore, your dog should not be guarding their food against you. 

Your dog’s aggression may stem from a past, unstable environment, pack order, genetics, or poor socialization. It may also be that they have done this before, and it worked for them. The behavior was rewarded, so why not continue? And if the aggression is a sudden, new behavior, there may be a medical issue to address. 

Puppies

Puppies in large litters naturally compete for food, especially if they are fed from one large bowl. A puppy’s food aggression may be rewarded with more food for them. If you adopt your dog as a puppy, you can teach them appropriate boundaries to unlearn that aggression.

Leader of the Pack

An essential factor in the food aggression equation is you. Your dog needs to understand that, without a doubt, you are their pack leader and that you are the provider and controller of their food. You have to communicate at your dog’s level to build a trusting pack relationship. 

How to Stop Your Dog’s Food Aggression

Every case is unique; your dog’s motivations and your comfort level determine whether you address the issue yourself or hire a trainer. To decide what’s best, know your limitations, and know your dog. 

The Environment

One way to alleviate the milder cases of food aggression is to leave your dog alone when they’re eating. We cannot express enough how important this is. They need a quiet, calm place to enjoy and digest their food without the “threat” of people (especially children), other pets, and general chaos near the food bowl. Disrupting them will teach them to be nervous and need to guard their food, creating the aggression you don’t want. Respect their space.

Create a positive feeding environment away from distraction. First, feed them inside their crate or in a separate, quiet room. Then make sure everyone leaves them alone! When they’re done, and whenever they are not eating, remove the bowl and put it away, out of their sight.

The Food

Your dog’s food affects their behavior. If you feed them high-quality food with the right amount and type of proteins and other vital nutrients, they will feel sated after eating. Cheap dog food, which is too high in inexpensive carbohydrates, will not satisfy their appetite. As a result, they will be constantly hungry, which may bring on aggression. Food such as Volhard’s Natural Diet Foundation provides complete nutrition when mixed with raw meat and water, making aggression less likely.

Behavior Modification Techniques

Corrective techniques involve desensitization and counterconditioning. There are several that claim success. What works depends on your unique situation. If needed, these can be used with a leash for added control.  

  • Measured and controlled feeding: The dog is told to sit or stay while a small portion of food is placed in the bowl. They are then allowed to eat that portion. This is repeated until they’ve eaten the entire meal. 
  • Two food bowls: Two bowls are placed a few feet apart. The dog must sit/stay and then eat from the first bowl. This is repeated for alternate bowls. Eventually, the bowls are moved closer together until only one is needed. 
  • Hand-feeding: Feed small portions at a time from your hand. Gradually progress to dropping the food from your hand to the bowl. 
  • Gradual desensitization: These methods involve several steps, beginning with standing a few feet away, then progressively moving closer while giving treats, and finally reaching a point where you can touch and pick up the bowl. 

These methods are not for severe cases of food aggression and not for everyone in any case. If you are not sure what will work, or you are uncomfortable with what you’d need to do, hire a professional trainer. Ask your veterinarian for advice and a reference.

And even if these methods do stop the aggression habit, moving forward, it’s still best to leave them alone in a quiet space while they eat, so they feel secure.

Conclusion

Food aggression in dogs is a potentially dangerous matter. But it can be alleviated with the right environment and training. Equipped with helpful information, you can correct at least mild cases yourself. Creating a calm, safe environment goes a long way toward solving the problem. And if you’re in over your head, you can turn to experienced, capable trainers.

With dedication, time, and patience, you can turn your food aggressive puppy or dog into a secure, confident, healthy eater.