The urge for dogs to guard their food is natural. If you notice your dog is defensive of their toys or bed, it is important to take action to keep it from progressing.

To prevent your dog from food guarding, the American Kennel Club suggests the following tips:

Give your dog space during mealtime. Refrain from interacting with your pup while they are eating. Make sure there is a safe and comfortable area that is designated for mealtimes. If there are kids around, let them know that the dog should be left alone while eating.

Be consistent. Rather than leaving your dog’s food bowl out all day, put your pet’s bowl down at the same time every day. If the bowl is out all day, it might make your dog think that food is a constant resource that can be taken away at any time. Check with your veterinarian about the correct amount of food your dog should be eating.

Never take the food away. Taking food away from a protective dog will only enforce the idea that your dog’s food can be taken at any point and that it is something to be protected. Even if your dog starts to growl and protect their food or toy, do not take it from them.

Reinforce that food protecting isn’t needed. It's important for your pup to know that just because someone is approaching their food, it doesn’t mean that it is going to be taken away and it’s important to establish this early on. Every so often, when your dog is eating, walk to their bowl and drop in a treat. This will reinforce the notion that someone approaching their bowl is positive.

For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC at www.akc.org.

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