How to Stop Your Dog from Guarding Its Food

1 Overview

Reasons a dog guards food

1. It is in the nature

All dogs have the instinct to guard food; those that do not guard kibble just hide it better. A non-kibble-guarder may guard meat; a non-meat-guarder may guard bones.

2. Misjudging the owner’s role

We know dogs descended from gray wolves. Wolf packs have strict hierarchy; after a catch, the alpha eats first, then the rest. Ordinary members use low growls or even fights to claim the best food.

Sometimes the situation is: the dog sees the owner as a same-level family member, assuming competition.

3. Over-indulgence

A brat becomes a brat through parental over-indulgence. Over time the dog gets a wicked idea: if I am fierce enough, the owner gives in – let me be fiercer.

4. Sense of security

The root cause of food guarding is lack of security. Many dogs from breeding farms shared a bowl with siblings, fighting for food. For strays, guarding comes from fear of the next meal.

Ways to ease food guarding

1. Fixed-time hand feeding

Hand feeding means the owner holds the bowl or puts a treat in the palm to lure the dog to eat. This shows the dog the owner is the giver of food, not a competitor.

Set a fixed feeding schedule so the dog builds a good rhythm; once used to it, the fear of not knowing where the next meal comes from fades.

Owners afraid of being bitten should wear protection first (dogs usually just lick gently). If the dog bites your hand, stop feeding at once and scold firmly, showing biting means no food.

2. Desensitization: petting and company

When the dog eats, the owner should stay nearby and talk. Over time the dog gets used to your presence, knows you will not steal food, and naturally stops guarding.

Meanwhile, pet the dog’s back gently; if no resistance, slowly move to the head. If the dog bares teeth and growls low, stop at once.

3. Treat lure

Use the dog’s favorite treat. Usually it guards the bowl’s food; the owner just approaches slowly with a treat and drops it in. The dog learns that someone approaching at mealtime means something tastier – a good thing. Note: during this, the owner makes no other moves.

4. Take the bowl away

The most direct method when guarding: take the bowl away and stop feeding; if it looks angry, scold firmly and loudly. When the dog calms, return the food – and do not forget to praise.

Solving food guarding is a long battle of wits needing great patience; even after improvement, stay alert. Also, reject all violence toward the dog – violence only backfires.

If it is already an adult, very fierce guarder, seek a professional dog trainer’s help.