Why Do Dogs Protect Their Food?
Dogs are inherently social animals, a trait that dates back to their prehistoric ancestors. These early dogs understood the concept of teamwork. However, this doesn’t mean they won’t guard their food. Both modern dogs and their ancestors engage in food protection behavior. Beyond establishing dominance in daily interactions, food battles often serve as a way for dogs to assert their status.
For humans, a meal is just food. But for dogs, it’s more than that—it’s a matter of dignity and rank.
The reason for food guarding isn’t solely about dominance. Even if you only have one dog, you may notice that it protects its food, sometimes even showing aggression toward you if you approach while it’s eating. Why does this happen?
There are a few possible explanations:
- Fear: Confident dogs understand that their food isn’t threatened. On the other hand, insecure dogs may show signs of fear while eating because they are worried their food will be taken away. This often stems from early life experiences and can be influenced by breed and genetics.
Changing this behavior isn’t difficult. The simplest approach is desensitization. Gradually get closer to your dog while it eats, step by step, until it understands that you mean no harm.
- Excitement: Some dogs become overly excited during mealtime and may even lash out at their owner or other pets.
Does your dog jump around in excitement before being fed? If so, focus on obedience training to teach it to wait calmly before eating. Essentially, you’re communicating, “If you don’t settle down, you won’t eat.”
- Health Issues: If your usually calm dog suddenly starts guarding its food, consider having its teeth and mouth checked. Dogs are straightforward creatures. Just like when you have a toothache, eating can become an uncomfortable or even painful experience for them, which might trigger aggression.
What to Do When Two Dogs Are Protecting Their Food
Phase 1: Feed the two dogs in separate rooms—ideally, connected rooms. Close the door so they can’t see each other, but can still smell the other dog eating. Do this for about three days until both dogs adjust.
Phase 2: Open the door, but stand between the two dogs. Ensure they stay at their respective bowls. If one dog disobeys, remove its bowl and close the door, allowing it to smell the other dog eating. Reward the dog that finishes its meal calmly and ignores the other.
The goal is for both dogs to tolerate each other eating within the same space.
Phase 3: This is the most dangerous yet crucial stage. Place both bowls in the same room, but keep them at a distance. Prepare safety tools like an umbrella to distract the dogs if needed.
Watch them closely. If one dog stares at the other for too long, bares its teeth, or growls, intervene immediately. If a fight breaks out, use protective tools such as the umbrella to separate them.
Phase 4: Once they can eat peacefully for 5 to 7 days, start the final phase. Gradually move the bowls closer each day. Over time, the dogs will grow accustomed to each other’s presence during meals.
Throughout this desensitization training, use firm and clear commands to stop any aggressive behavior. Dogs pick up on your tone, so ensure they understand when you’re serious. Equally important, reward them with treats, extra food, and verbal praise when they finish meals calmly.
