Food aggression with other dogs

[onyxvontitan]

I have a 10 month old male who never growls when people pet him while he eats, but if another dog comes over he wont even allow them in the kitchen (where his food bowl is) even if theres no food in there. What is the best way to handle this? ive heard give them treats so they relax more but I feel like i am feeding fuel to the fire, giving him treats while he growls. any input is appreciated.
thanks
Jeremy n onyx

[brunie's mom]

Most dogs will not tolerate another dog near their food. I suggest you not allow any dog near your dog while he is eating. Pick up his bowl if another dog is going to be over.

If he is not allowing another dog into the kitchen he needs to be corrected for this.

Do you have more then one dog? or is it friends that are coming over with their own dogs?

Gina

[Janus'sMom]

I agree with brunie's mom.... and I would not being giving him treats when he's growling, like you suspected, giving him treats while he's growling is telling him that he's doing something right, and clearly he is not.

[AngelBunny]

I assume you don’t free-feed so that your dog feels the need to guard his bowl.

Is your male’s bowl down all the time, even if it’s empty?

I feed three Rotties, two of whom (bitches) are ferocious with other dogs around their food. I feed all dogs outside (year round) out of eyesight of each other on three different sides of the house. As soon as they’re done eating, I pick up the bowls, wash them, and put them away.

[Zumie05]

Take his food dish away, and don't allow him into the kitchen from now on unless you have told him it is okay to be in there. He shouldn't feel that the kitchen belongs to him.

[moondog]

I would make sure he doesn't have access to things he wants to guard from other dogs. If it's the food bowl, pick it up. If it's the kitchen itself, don't allow him in it when other dogs are visiting.

You're right in your thoughts on the treats....if you give him treats with the thought it will "relax" him while he's guarding the bowl/kitchen, then you're rewarding the behavior. A dog has no idea what the intention is (to relax him), everything is very cause and effect for them. Growl = get a treat...woohoo, I think I'll growl some more! I sure agree with you that this is not a situation that treats are good for.

[onyxvontitan]

I only have one dog, but most of my friends will bring there dogs over when we have get togethers. most of the time I dont know if a friend is bring there dog till they get here, so I guess as soon as i see that they have I will put up his food bowl and stop hiim from entering the kitchen. And I will pick up his bowl after he finishes his food. I do not free feed, he gets 1 1/2 cups of orijen LBP, twice aday and a bully stick every now and then. thank you all for all the input and all suggestions are welcome, thanks