When a dog guards its food, it snarls at the owner and may bite as soon as approached. Many owners encounter this situation. Some suggest hitting the dog a couple of times to stop food guarding. The dog may temporarily submit, but it will remember this internally, and later it may resist or refuse to obey other commands. So what should you do if your dog guards its food?

What to do if a dog guards its food 1. Correct from an early age. Food guarding is a natural instinct for dogs. If we want to change this habit, we should start correcting it during their puppy stage, issuing commands before feeding them and gently stroking the dog during feeding. This is very helpful in correcting the food guarding behavior.

What to Do If a Dog Guards Its Food? 2. Appropriate education. Dogs may show aggressive behavior when guarding food, even toward the owner. Therefore, proper owner education can help the dog realize that the owner has no ill intent, thereby easing the guarding habit.

What to Do If a Dog Guards Its Food? 3. Create a trusting environment. Food guarding usually occurs because the dog feels insecure about its environment and constantly fears others stealing its food. Thus, creating an environment where the dog feels safe and trusts is very important.

What to Do If a Dog Guards Its Food? 4. Do not disturb the dog while eating. If food guarding is severe and no method works to improve it, it is recommended to avoid disturbing the dog while it is eating to prevent aggressive actions that might harm you.