Guarding food

Guarding food

This is a common problem faced by many dog owners - sometimes a dog will snap or bite a person who comes too close to his food.

Guarding food is a normal behaviour for dogs, but in civilized society this behaviour is not exceptable. So it is very important for us to train our dogs to get accustomed to people being around their food.

This behavour can be prevented from early puppyhood by some basic measures-

• One good way go make the puppy comfortable with this is to hand feed him.This will make the dog realise it that humans are no threat to his food.
• You can also try this - while the pup is eating, add some meat, chicken or his favourite treat to his food. Your pup will welcome your action and each visit to the food bowl as he realises that your presence or visit is beneficial for him.
• In case you dog is grown up, you have to be very careful and try to keep children away while the dog is having food.
• You can start off by changing the dogs environment in which he is fed e.g. take him out in the park and spread his food over the grass and while he is eating the scattered food, you can offer him some treat from your hand. You may repeat this excercie till it appears that the dog is comfortable with your presence.
• You can then put a variation to this excercise you putting the food in a bowl and interrupting him with food in your hand. Slowly as the dog begins to show human exceptance, you can encourage other people around to offer treats during his meal - so that dog can relate human presence as a favourable event.