Correcting Inappropriate Growling & Threatening Behavior in Dogs

Although growling over food is a natural behavior, it is important that you understand that it is never alright for your dog to growl at you, no matter what. You must always maintain your position as the dominant leader of your pack. Never allow your dog to threaten you.

• To address growling over food, there are a number of steps you can take:
  

1. Provide for your dog as a good leader should.
2. Be sure your dog is well-fed. A hungry dog is more likely to growl about food than a well-fed dog.
3. Be sure that your dog does not feel threatened while eating.
4. Place your dog's food dish in an out-of-the-way place where he will not be disturbed while eating.
5. Isolate your dog at mealtime, if necessary.
6. If you have multiple dogs, be sure each dog has it's own dish in its own location.

If your dog just growls and does not threaten to bite when you approach his food, you may wish to try this method. Set up several bowls of food in a row for your dog. While your dog is eating, remove one bowl of food and place it in another position that is still accessible to your dog. Continue doing this while your dog is eating. He should soon see that your moving his food is not a threat to his ability to eat.

If your dog does threaten you regarding food or if this method causes his behavior to escalate rather than diminish, you should simply place your dog in a separate room our outside in a fenced yard or on a tether to eat. Don't disturb him at all while he is eating, but also keep him separate from you and all of his other companions. Feed him at specific times of day, and be sure that he is fed well. During other times, keep food out of reach so that other pets, other family members, and you will not be subjected to his growling and threatening behavior. By doing this, you remain in control of the food situation and you remain the leader of the pack.

If you have adopted a dog from an abused situation or have been selected by a stray, these measures may be temporary. A dog that has been hungry and felt threatened and deprived may be defensive about its food initially. Once the dog feels secure in the knowledge that it is safe and will be fed, its behavior may naturally diminish. Test this from time-to-time by offering a treat or food while the dog is around others. If the dog still exhibits threatening behavior regarding food, continue to isolate him at feeding time and keep food put away to eliminate his reason for inappropriate threatening behavior.

If your dog exhibits threatening behavior in other areas, it is a good idea to get help from a professional trainer and/or have your dog examined by your vet to rule out physical or emotional causes for his misbehavior. Never put yourself at risk when handling your dog. If you have been chosen by a stray, understand that this dog is an unknown quantity. You can't know what traumas he may have experienced or what may be wrong with him to make him behave in a threatening manner. If you have tried these simple techniques to control your dog's inappropriate behavior, and they have not worked, seek the advice of a professional.

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