You can use several fantastic strategies to help your dog stop showing food aggression. Whatever approach you take, it’s crucial to establish a pattern for your dog so that it knows when and where to expect meals every day, to be patient, and to make it clear to your dog that you are the pack leader and the provider.
Want to explore some more practical ways? Well, my perfect essay has some effective tips to guide you properly. Check them out:
8 Best Tips on How to Stop Food Aggression in Dogs
The 8 best tips on how to stop food aggression in dogs are:
1. Control the Behaviour
Some people choose to manage rather than change food guarding because they view it as a natural behavior. If your dog just sometimes and predictably guards, this might be possible. For instance, if he solely watches over his food bowl, you may keep your distance while he eats.
If children or other people live in the home unable to adhere to rigorous management practices, this alternative is not practical. Many folks don’t want to have to be concerned with being cautious around their dog’s food bowls. Fortunately, the hostile behavior may often be changed by taking the actions below. However, if your dog exhibits severe hostility around food and you find the training uncomfortable.
2. Work to earn food
Making your dog work for their food is the greatest strategy for kid-friendly behaviours and non-aggression. Take your dog for a run or walk first. It will create the impression that they earned their food, much like a hunt in the wild. Then, when you return home, make the meal and set it out for them. There are usually low-maintenance dogs, but some have tantrums.
Make them wait until you say they can eat while they patiently sit or lie down. You can give your dog permission to eat once it has successfully waited for your approval. Dogs feel they have worked hard for their food and that it is indeed their food that promotes food security.
3. Upgrade the Food
This method can help build trust and lessen the dread of having food taken away. Set down a different food while your dog is eating the current one. You want the substitute to be an improvement over their kibbles, such as treats or wet dog food. Your dog will quickly associate your approach with positive things and realize that you are not there to take their food.
4. Feed by Hand
You can try hand-feeding your dog to develop the relationship as a provider. Have a special treat in your hand and give it to your dog as they eat their kibble. Then stop them from eating and offer them this gift. Repeat this a few times. Then, a good association between food interruptions and unique goodies will form. Additionally, they will begin to view you as a provider rather than a rival.
5. Sit Next to Your Dog and Talk to It
This level emphasizes physical proximity and interaction. Stand next to your dog while they eat from their bowl and give them a special gift. Asking them, “What are you having to eat?” or bringing up their meal are acceptable ways to speak to them in a conversational tone.
Give the treat to your dog, then turn and leave them. Try to connect with them instead of writing for social media only to share your concern. Every few seconds, repeat this process. You can advance to the next phase of this training method if your dog can remain calm while eating for ten or more consecutive meals.
6. Raise their Bowl Above the Gravel and Dispense Their Treat
As you will be moving their dish off the floor to offer them a treat, this stage is crucial for developing trust. Speak calmly to your dog as you take up their bowl. To begin with, just raise it 6 to 12 inches from the ground, add the treat, and lower the dish once again.
You will aim to elevate the bowl higher every day until you can set it down on a table to prepare the dessert. It would help if you kept going through this process until you could put your dog’s bowl back where you picked it up after walking a short distance.
7. Disrupt the Mealtime
Using this technique, your dog will learn that leaving food outside is OK. Go a short distance away after setting the food bowl down and call your dog to come. Give your dog a pleasant treat when they arrive. Allow them to return to their feeding bowl after that. Repeat a few times while you’re eating.
8. Teach Alternative Behaviours
Instead of having your dog defend his food, teach him what you want him to do. Teach him to “drop it” so that you don’t simply take things from him. Start with a low-value item for your dog (such as a toy rather than a meaty bone), then progress to higher-value goodies.
Say “drop it” while holding the item, then place a treat next to his mouth. Praise him, give him joy, and then give it back to him when he opens his mouth and drops the object to accept it. Your dog will understand that it is worthwhile to share things with you.
Conclusion
These are a few techniques you might employ to lessen your dog’s food aggressiveness. Nevertheless, using these procedures carelessly could result in serious injury.
