Ask The Dog Trainer: Dog is overly-protective of food bowl

I have a problem with my dog Aurther. He has a tendency to growl and snap if we approach his food bowl, and last week he nipped our toddler. He didn’t break the skin, but it’s clear that something needs to be done, as we have a large busy household and can’t risk friends or family getting bitten. We really need help!

-Samuel

Dear Samuel,

I applaud your decision to pursue a solution for your dog’s resource guarding. Dogs can resource guard their favorite toys, preferred sleeping spots, even certain people. Frequently dogs feel the need to defend a resource if there has been a change in the family dynamics (the addition of a new dog or family member, moving housing locations or a perceived scarcity) or have been taught to resource guard through outdated and misguided attempts to enforce dominance. Examples of how we inadvertently teach our dogs to guard their food, toys or territory can be found when we put our hands in their food bowls as they eat, tease them by removing toys in the middle of play or wait until they are about to settle down on their bed and then demand that they move. With the dominance theory of dog training scientifically proven to be irrelevant to the modern domesticated canine, it is far better to build confidence and a sense of security rather than fear and insecurity.

Signs of resource guarding don’t always include nipping or growling. A tenseness of posture, hackles rising, licking the lips or crouching defensively over the object are all indicators of a dogs’ fear of losing the coveted resource.

Today, one of the best weapons against resource guarding starts with instilling confidence and happiness in your family dog whenever you approach them and their bowl or toy. Rather than taking away their food bowl or messing with them as they eat, modern day dog trainers encourage folks to give their dogs plenty of space and if you pass by, toss a tasty treat into your dog’s food bowl. When my dog looks up and sees me approaching, I want him to feel secure and safe. It’s never too late to begin encouraging Aurther to relax as you or your family moves past his food bowl. Depending on how advanced his resource guarding is, you may begin this exercise by simply stepping into the same room as him, observing him if he tenses at your approach and tossing him a tasty treat. As he progresses, you should be able to get closer and closer before he becomes defensive. With time you may observe his tail beginning to wag gently when you approach as he anticipates the arrival of a savory morsel. It is then that you know you are making progress in changing his perception of you as a threat.

Sometimes it is unavoidable that you need to interact with Aurther and retrieve something from his mouth. Medication, cooked meat bones and fragile objects all find their way to dogs’ mouths, so to better ensure his safety, practice a “trade me” skill. Start by implementing a trade program, keeping a few toys or treats at hand so that if Aurther snags something he shouldn’t have, instead of chasing him down and prying it from his mouth, you can offer him another object to have instead. I understand that this may seem like bribery, however with practice trading objects becomes a fun and safe way to retrieve objects. My dog Boomer once picked up a piece of a broken wine glass. Had I pursued him, he may have swallowed the glass shard or cut himself in his excitement. Instead, with a calm exchange, I was able to take the glass from him and give him an appropriate chew toy instead. If when you ask “what do you have?” and instead of approaching you with an eagerly wagging tail your dog bolts for the back door to play keep away, this is a good skill to practice.

A solid “out” command is another great skill for a dog in a busy household to learn, as sometimes you may need to access the spot where they are eating or sleeping. To begin teaching this skill, I take some treats and toss them in the opposite direction of your dog’s bowl or bed, saying “out”. When he runs for the treat I reward with praise. I start to toss the food further and further away until I can say “out” and my dog promptly leaves the space. Both “out” and “leave it” will prove helpful in your busy household when someone needs to walk past Aurther as he is eating.

The last obedience skill I like to build into dogs who resource guard is a place command for meal times. You can teach Aurther to eat his meals on his dog bed or in his crate, or even in a play pen where he cannot be bothered and your household isn’t going to accidentally encounter him. This helps Aurther and you to relax and prevents unplanned confrontations.

I recommend starting with the above skills and enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer who specializes in resource guarding. Muzzle training for safety, obedience training for confidence and Behavioral Adjustment Training and Constructional Aggression Treatment may also be beneficial.

Kendall and Chandler Brown are owners of Custom K-9 Service Dogs, a dog training business serving Minden/Gardnerville, Carson and Reno. For information go to customk9servicedogs.com or email customk9servicedogs@gmail.com.