Any dog owner can tell you that it’s not unusual for a puppy to develop behaviors that seem a bit off. From your perspective, you’ve provided everything needed for a happy, healthy dog with the storybook loyalty we all secretly expect. Behaviors like cutting you off while walking, pulling on the leash, or growling around food suggest a dog posturing for leadership. To humans, this might not make sense.
Dogs constantly look to their humans for leadership. While they rarely accept leadership from children, they seek to understand their place in the pack, just like human family members. When their role is unclear, they test boundaries to find where they stand.
Growling around food is a behavior that can be addressed during a puppy’s developmental stages. To prevent it, start young—or as early as possible. During mealtimes, reach down and take the bowl away. Praise your dog and return the bowl if they allow it calmly. If they show the slightest sign of aggression, correct them and keep the bowl for at least ten minutes.
Humans view feeding time—whether for animals or people—as an act of love and nourishment. Dogs, however, see it as a source of life-sustaining nutrients and a way to reinforce their place in the pack. Your puppy isn’t likely interested in your day while eating; they’re focused on securing their right to the food, often barely tasting it. (This is because dogs “taste” more through smell than taste buds.)
In a typical “pack,” food distribution follows a clear hierarchy. The leader gets first access, regardless of who provided the food. In a human family, signals can get mixed. A dog might eat before or after their humans, or on no set schedule, eating whenever they feel like it. While free feeding may work for some dogs, it can foster aggression in others. Dogs who feel the need to assert control over their food are more likely to growl or snap if they feel their nutrients are threatened.
Other warning signs often appear before growling begins, even in puppyhood. A dog who feels their food is at risk may guard their dish, refusing to leave it if kibble remains. Some may pace incessantly, protecting their food. A relaxed dog, however, will comfortably walk away, leaving the food out of sight and mind.
Training Your Dog to Stop Growling Over Food
New methods, often combined with traditional approaches, can help address food aggression. In the past, some believed dogs had a right to protect their food, especially in multi-dog households. However, growling at a human trying to move the dish is never acceptable.
The goal is to establish yourself as your dog’s nutritional leader. In theory, this is simple, but it requires commitment, especially if growling is intense or likely to escalate to snapping. Your dog needs to see you as the leader, entitled to the food first. You don’t have to eat the food yourself, but you must convey this authority.
Start by eating your meal before feeding your dog. If you’re not eating at home, feed them after you’ve had a snack at the table. Whether you’re eating early, late, or just a handful of grapes, ensure you eat first. Maintain consistent eating habits, like dining in the same place each night.
As the leader, your dog gets nothing—not even table scraps—until you’ve finished eating. If you enjoy giving your dog treats from your plate, do so differently. Never feed them from the table or while you’re eating. Order your dog out of the room to lie down, preventing silent begging. If you eat in the kitchen, teach them to leave the kitchen and lie down. If you eat in the living room, apply the same rule. If they beg from another room, send them farther away. Initially, your food may grow cold while managing this, but it’s a small price to pay for teaching your dog that you control their food.
Once you’ve finished eating—including your coffee or tea—fill their bowl and let it sit out of reach for a few minutes while you clean up. By now, they should know food is coming. Make them sit and wait for your signal to approach the bowl. Place it in their eating area and walk away, signaling that you’re done with it, so they can have it. If you give table scraps, add them to their dish. As you leave, use a release word like “okay” or “free” to let them eat.
As you establish leadership, your dog’s attitude toward food should become more relaxed, reducing growling. However, your work isn’t done until you can take their food away or let another pet pass by without a peep.
Once growling improves, walk by your dog during mealtimes as if uninterested in their food. After a few days, approach closer. If they don’t growl, offer praise and move on. If they growl, correct them. After three growl-free days, add a head pat while passing. If they remain calm for three more days, add a treat to their bowl while they eat. Once you can walk by, pet them, and add a treat for three consecutive days without growling, try taking their food away mid-meal. Maintain a strong posture and a leader-focused mindset to curb the growling. It may take time, but reclaiming authority is the fastest path to success.
