Busting the Myth of Food Guarding in Dogs

Dog owners are often given outdated advice about managing food guarding, like taking food from a dog’s mouth or standing over them while they eat. The intention is to “teach” the dog not to guard their food, but this approach often backfires. Let’s set the record straight: these methods do make resource guarding worse, not better.

Puppies in a litter naturally compete for food, learning early to guard their share to survive. When we mimic this competition by interfering with a dog’s meal—grabbing their food or petting them while they eat—we reinforce their instinct to protect it. This can escalate into aggression, as the dog feels threatened and insecure.

Here’s a better way: create a safe, stress-free eating environment. When I raise a litter, I separate each puppy during feeding time. This eliminates competition, so they never learn to guard their food in the first place. As adults, my dogs eat alone, knowing their meal is secure. The result? No food aggression, no stress.

Instead of challenging your dog during meals, try this:

• Feed them in a calm, private space, where they won’t feel threatened.
• Avoid touching or taking their food—this builds trust, not tension.
• Respect their space while they eat, just as you’d want peace during your own meals.

By fostering security around food, we prevent resource guarding before it starts. Let’s ditch the old myths and raise confident, relaxed dogs who know their food is safe.