Try to place food where the dog cannot reach it

Actually, dogs more or less have some degree of food guarding behavior, so even if we catch them stealing food on the spot, it is quite difficult to snatch the food out of their mouths. Some dogs not only refuse to let go but even issue low growls.

Regarding this issue, we should also reflect on ourselves. Why does the dog have the chance to steal food? Maybe we should change how food is placed at home. For example, do not put food on coffee tables or low cabinets that dogs can easily reach, so try to place them higher up, where it is also relatively drier. Opened food should definitely be stored in containers or placed in the refrigerator, and food in plastic bags should be kept high or inside cabinets.

Keeping things put away is easy, and if you prevent your dog from developing bad habits when it is a puppy or just arrives home, then by the time your dog grows and adapts to the new environment, even if the owner sometimes forgets to put food away, the dog will not try to steal. Prevention is better than cure, and this method allows both people and dogs to live easily without constant skirmishes.

Besides, we should also pay attention to why the dog steals food:

1. Possibly insufficient feeding amount

The feeding amount and type of food should be adjusted appropriately according to the dog’s age. Growing dogs will have noticeably increased food intake, but as they age, their appetite decreases. Even if the dog appears normal, uneven feeding may cause hunger, leading the dog to seek food.

2. Excess energy and boredom

If a dog has too much energy or spends long periods alone at home, it can become anxious. Sometimes dogs steal food not because they are hungry but to relieve their anxiety.

Don’t always just snatch away the food

How to get a dog to release something

Usually, when owners see their dogs holding something in their mouth, their first reaction is to snatch it away. When the dog hands over the item, the owner will not return it. This behavior can cause a psychological gap for the dog. Over time, the dog becomes increasingly unwilling to give up things in its mouth. So we should not become complete takers. Sometimes after taking back the item, you can return it to the dog while watching carefully to prevent swallowing. Or you can exchange it with a toy the dog likes. This will reduce the dog’s resistance to releasing objects and also prevent the risk of swallowing dangerous items in a hurry.

However, if the dog is holding something dangerous and absolutely refuses to release it, then forced measures have to be taken. At this point, don’t worry about the dog’s feelings because its health is the most important.

Make sure the dog is not underfed and hungry, spend time with the dog to reduce anxiety and loneliness, and placing food high up reduces stealing. Don’t always just snatch things from the dog to avoid resistance; use exchanges to balance the dog’s psychology.