Help, My German Shepherd Dog Guards His Food Dish!

Here are five common reasons why a dog might guard their food dish:

1. Resource Protection: One of the primary reasons a German Shepherd Dog may guard their food dish is the instinct to protect valuable resources. In the wild, dogs scavenge and hunt for food, and guarding their meal ensures their survival. This behavior can carry over to domestic settings, where a dog may feel the need to protect their food source, especially if they perceive a threat to it.

2. Lack of Socialization: German Shepherd Dogs that have not been adequately socialized or have had negative experiences around food may exhibit guarding behavior. This can stem from a lack of exposure to different stimuli during puppyhood or past instances where their food was taken away abruptly. Without positive socialization experiences, dogs may develop anxiety or fear related to their food, leading to guarding tendencies.

3. Previous Scarcity: Dogs that have experienced scarcity or hunger in the past may guard their food as a survival mechanism. Rescued or stray dogs with a history of limited food availability may develop guarding behavior due to the uncertainty of future meals. Such dogs may feel the need to protect their food resources to ensure they have enough to eat.

4. Dominance and Hierarchy: In some cases, food guarding can be linked to issues of dominance and hierarchies within a canine pack or household. Dogs may guard their food dish to assert control over resources and establish their place in the social order. This behavior can be more prevalent in multi-dog households where competition for food and status exists.

5. Medical or Pain-Related Issues: It’s essential to consider that food guarding behavior could also be a result of underlying medical conditions or pain. Dogs in discomfort or suffering from certain health issues may become more protective of their food due to feeling vulnerable. Pain or discomfort can trigger defensive behaviors, including food guarding, as a means of self-protection.

My German Shepherd Dog Guards His Food Dish, Now What?

Addressing food guarding behavior requires a tailored approach that considers the specific reasons behind the dog’s actions. Training, behavior modification techniques, and creating a positive feeding environment can help manage and reduce food guarding tendencies in dogs. Seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist can provide tailored strategies to address this behavior effectively. Short of that, this article by Czech Working Line hopes to help in the meantime.

Understanding the motivations behind food guarding behavior is the first step towards helping dogs feel secure and comfortable during mealtimes. By addressing the root causes and implementing appropriate interventions, pet owners can support their dogs in developing healthier relationships with food and feeding routines.

This is a common issue among family dogs. Many well-intentioned dog owners inadvertently contribute to this problem by incorrectly attempting to address it.

First, feed your dogs in their crates. Once a German Shepherd dog finishes their meal, call the dog out of the crate and offer a high-value food reward. Subsequently, remove the dog bowl when the dog is away from the space. This course of action has proved invaluable, especially when training protection German Shepherds. This also holds true for addressing an already established pattern of food aggression in a German Shepherd Dog.

It is a misconception to believe that one can just take a dog’s food bowl away while they are eating. Consider how you would feel if someone took your plate away while you were in the middle of a meal at your dinner table. Would you be upset?

There is no need to disturb a dog while they are eating; it’s best to leave them be. Once a dog understands that they will receive a food reward once they’re finished eating, the bowl loses its significance.

Over time, my dogs have learned to trust me not to bother them, and in the rare event that I may need to take the bowl, our history of fairness (from the dog’s perspective) makes it a non-issue.

Remember, if the dog is still licking its bowl, it indicates that it’s not finished eating. Trust is essential between your dog and yourself. You demonstrate to them that once you provide their food bowl, you won’t intrude or challenge them. While some may disagree with our approach, we have lived with and raised many strong and possessive dogs. In the early years, we made our share of mistakes. I have some scars as reminders.

When our dogs realize that they will always receive something good as a reward for coming their owner, when asked, they willingly abandon their bowls. For further articles, see our growing list of articles on German Shepherd Dog training by clicking here.