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It’s extremely important that dogs are safe around food. A dog who is overly protective around his dinner, poses a potential threat to any toddler who wanders too close to the food bowl. However, never try to teach the dog a lesson by forcibly removing the bowl. This makes things far worse as the dog’s fears are realised. As the bowl vanishes into the sky, he’s far more likely to react with greater aggressive behaviour the next time you go near the bowl.
Instead, teach him that human’s near the food bowl are a good thing because they put food in it.
Here are the steps to reduce food guarding possessiveness:
- Switch the dog onto a dull, bland diet, so he’s less excited about the food.
- Put his empty food bowl on the floor and have his food in a bowl on the counter top.
- Remove a piece of kibble, hold it just above his head, and ask the dog to sit.
- Once he’s sitting, drop the piece of kibble in the bowl.
- Repeat with the next piece of kibble.
- Repeat this for several meals.
- Once he is sitting for his supper, practice moving around the bowl as he eats (whilst adding pieces of kibble).
- Build up the association between people and food, rather than the bowl and food, and he’ll come to welcome people around his bowl.