Dog Training Tips - Help! My Dog Growls at Me During Feeding!

If your dog growls at you during feeding time - it cantake away their food
be both scary and dangerous. Especially if there are3) They are overly hungry and can't control
kids nearby. The best dog training tip is to preventthemselves
this behavior in the first place. Preferably, when yourOne of the most important steps in dog training, no
dog is a puppy!matter if your new dog is a puppy, teen-ager, or
The main reason why dogs growl during feeding isyoung adult, is to show that you are the dominant
because they are protecting their food and showingone. The leader of the pack or the alpha.
dominance. This is a natural instinct for them. ButIf you don't establish this early on, you're going to
there are ways to turn this around with some goodhave lots of aggression problems with your dog
dog training tips.training.
Before you can "fix" a dog training problem, like bitingSo how do you show dominance with your dog?
or growling, you have to try to understand why it'sIt's pretty simple - and not mean.
happening in the first place. My two dogs, Champ andSimply kneel down over your dog until he turns his
Blaze, have only growled at me a couple times duringhead or stops struggling. This may take only one try
feeding.or it may take days! But this is the first dog training
The first time it happened, Champ (my part bluestep.
heeler/border collie) was happily eating his food whenNow that you're the alpha - you set the dog training
I was goofing around and ran up from behind him. Herules!
was so busy eating that he didn't hear me comingWhen feeding your dog or puppy, sit down with him
and growled when I accidentally bumped into him. Ofand be near when he eats. Pet him, put your hand in
course it was my fault - but growling at me is still nothis dog dish while he's eating, and feed him some of
acceptable. Ever.his food out of your hand. Also, take his food dish
The second time my younger dog Blaze, a borderaway for a few seconds and then give it back.
collie, growled at me while feeding was because heYour dog will start to understand that you're not a
was overly hungry. I swear he was growing everythreat to him and he will always be fed.
day! But again, there is never an excuse for a dogGrowling or aggressive behavior should never be
growling at you.tolerated. If your dog does growl or nip at youduring
So what dog training tips can you use to stop thefeeding or any other time, immediately scold your
growling or keep it from ever happening in the firstdog. And take his food away for a minute.
place?Keep doing this until this behavior stops.
Here are 3 of the most common reasons dogs willRemember, the best dog training tips prevent
growl during feeding:problems from happening in the first place.
1) They believe they are more dominant than youThat way both dog and owner are happy!
2) They are scared or unsure if you are going to