today i was testing yoda about his food and being able to play with it or take it away. well he growled, all 3 times i did, put my hand down there. i know i need to stop this behaviour but i dont know how. anyone have any suggestions

I don't have any suggestion, but I wanted to say we have had threads about sterotyping chis--my precious Lulu will let anything-man or beast-take her food without a wimper or snarl but Gidget, the mild-mannered Maltese, will growl, snarl and throw a fit.

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"Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished."Dean Koontz

In our house, protecting food that is meant to be eaten is the only thing we let slide (although it really doesn't happen very often). I know that a lot of people will do a switch and offer something in exchange for what the dog has, which can really come in handy if they get a hold of something that they're not supposed to have.

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I've heard about adding small amounts of something high value to your dog's bowl while they are eating so that they get the idea that you going near their food is a good thing. I made sure from the start to stroke Mylo periodically when he had any high value food so that he didn't get aggressive when I went near him and he was eating. I've also always held chews for him so that he's happy for me to go near them. He always chews sat on my knee anyways because he prefers to be near me. Maybe you could try stroking him in increasing intervals to get him used to the fact that going near him doesn't mean you're taking the food away and praise all good behaviour like crazy. I prefer positive reinforcement if possible but when Mylo snapped at me for trying to get a piece of plastic bag off him he got a short time out and he hasn't done it since.

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As a puppy, I made sure to interact with Toby while he was eating. I allowed him to eat some food from my hand. I played with his food and bowl while he ate. I pet him while he ate. All of this led to him being non- possessive of food.

I would do this even if he growls. Maybe add food to the bowl. Reward him when he doesn't react. He is still young. If you start now, he should be fine soon.


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i can pet him or move the bowl but when i go for his food he growls at me. he has ate from my hand and everything, ill continue to interact with him while he eats. sometimes, when i put food down, he will grab one peice run back over to his little spot he loves, where he brings everything he steals, and eat it then run back to the bowl and grab another peice and do it all over again. its kind of funny. also should i leave food down all the time?

I agree 100%. This is exactly what I did. I can reach right into dishes, pick up dishes and nothing. They know that I am in charge of food. I also take antlers (high value in our home) and toys right out of mouths at will and they do not respond negatively because they are used to it.

I love my girls (and even tell them so) and smooch all over them. I also run a tight ship and they are expected to have manners so they do.

I would just keep pressing the issue until it seems like no big thing that you mess with his food and eating. He will adjust and you will have, over time, a well mannered adult.

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This is a really sore subject. Some people have no leeway in a dogs growling and even snarling when there is food around. I, myself, leave my dogs eat in their pens. I don't bother them. They all growl at each other, but not at me.

I remember an 7 week old Lab puppy my neighbors asked me to feed. I'll never forget how aggressive that baby was!! Continued all through her life. They finally quit trying to 'fix' her, and fed her in her crate, so the young children couldn't be hurt. Worked like a charm, and everyone relaxed.