That can often result in injuries to other pets and humans...

What is the cause of this behavior?

Well, it can often be found in dogs who've been rescued and have suffered neglect, or it can often show up in dogs that haven't had the proper training foundation in place.

Keep reading to learn what you can do to make sure your dog doesn't develop this dangerous behavior.

What Is Food Aggression?

Food aggression is simply the dog aggressively lashing out toward a human or another animal when food is present.

Other characteristics of food aggression can include the following:

Growling if you or another animal gets too close to your dog’s food bowl.

Stalking you for food.

Lashing out at humans or other dogs and biting, or attacking if they come between the dog and their food.

Guarding their food - even when they are not eating it.

Dogs with Food Aggression will show various levels of behavioral issues - from growling to biting but all should be taken very seriously.

What Causes Dogs To Have Food Aggression?

As previously mentioned, rescue dogs can often suffer from this behavioural problem... due to the past neglect they have suffered.

The reason: dogs who have been neglected have to fight to survive.

It's sad, but you can't blame the dog for this, if a "fight or die " instinct has been triggered, the dog will do almost anything to make sure they don't lose out on their next meal.

I'm sure the same would apply to humans, if your family was starving and food suddenly appeared on the street, and there were other humans trying to take it away from your family, you would try your best to keep it.

But, there is another little understood but very common reason why a dog might become aggressive towards his food and that is because he thinks he is in charge, he thinks he is the leader of the pack.

The more your dog thinks he is the boss, the more he will think that he controls his food as well. Quite often he will want to eat before anyone else, including you!

This goes back to wild dog packs, and it still exists in wolf packs to this day.

​The strongest wolves would be the boss, saying who will eat what and when they will eat. They will usually eat first and feed their young first.

Think about when humans eat at the dinner table, if they have guests they always serve the "visitors" first, because our table manners dictate that the visitor is important and should be fed first.

But dogs think differently to us, the dog with Food Aggression won't like anyone getting in the way of him and his food.

How to Fix Dangerous Food Aggression Behaviors

If you have small children or other pets, you must address the serious issue of Food aggression in your home... I'm going to give you a few techniques to teach your dog to relax at meal time and so that they don't feel the need to vigorously protect their meals.

Technique Number 1- Stick to a Feeding Schedule

Having a routine is very important to dogs especially if they have just been rescued and have suffered neglect.

Dogs are incredibly smart, so they are able to tune in on patterns.

Dogs generally know what time to go out in the morning, what time their walk will be during the day, what time their owners go to work and come home.

It’s almost like a sixth sense.

So it's no surprise that they key into their feed times, if they are fed on the same schedule each day.

For this reason you must be consistent!  - Pick a time every day to feed and stick to it.

In sticking to a routine it will help your dog relax and have less anxiety at meal time.

Here's a good example. I once worked at a doggy day-care centre, where there was a huge pack of dogs of all breeds.

One of the dogs that I loved very much, called Demo, arrived one day really out of sorts, no one knew why.

He was very grumpy, his energy was low, he got into a fight in the afternoon. I asked his owners what was wrong with him when they came to collect him and they said, "Oh, we forgot to feed him this morning".

I am positive this was a contributing factor! In our family, when we are hungry and become angry we call it “hangry.” And I believe it’s the same with dogs…A dog with a full belly is a happy dog!

Technique Number 2 – Supplement Your Dog’s Diet throughout the Day

Monitoring your dogs diet every day is very important so that they don't gain excess weight, having said that, if your dog has stress-or anxiety-related food aggression issues, it might help to supplement his meals, so that he knows he will be continually fed.

There is a simple logic here...

Keep your dog’s belly full so he doesn’t stress about food. Your dog will learn to look to you for food and will associate you with food in a positive way at the same time.

The healthy way to do this is to break your dog’s normal-sized breakfast and dinner into 4-6 smaller meals.

There's a trick you can use if you use dry food is to soak it overnight so it swells to a much larger volume. This gives your dog the perception that there is a lot more food being offered and they feel fuller.

Following this regime will mean you can feed your dog several times per day without overfeeding them. You can also include rewards that you give them throughout the day during training.

Once your dog understands you’ll provide food for him every day and  gets comfortable  with that you can cut back on the number of mini meals and get back on to a normal feeding regime.

Technique Number 3 – Training the sit and wait command

When Training your dog or puppy to sit and wait for their food  it calms their mind and their body.

Take a look at this short video showing you how you can do this with younger puppies. It’s taken from inside ‘Project Moses’ the video diary of my puppy Moses when he was 14 weeks of age.

Technique Number 4 – Don't leave their food down

This is one of the biggest mistakes that I see people doing, they leave the dogs food down. This is not a good idea for a number of reasons.

1. It's not healthy to leave the food down, especially in the warmer weather when it can attract flies and other unwanted animals and  pests, plus it smells awful!

2. A dogs digestive system is not designed to graze all day long, like cows.  Dogs are animals who eat much larger meals quickly a couple of times each day. (Pups can often eat up to 4 or 5 times a day when very young)

3. The dog will get the wrong message if the food is left down all day, this tells them that they are in charge, not you. This creates a dog who makes his own decisions, is less likely to listen to you and may even ignore you.

So If your dog is not eating the food, pick it up.

Technique Number 5 – Establish yourself as the provider

This final technique is the most important—establishing yourself as the provider and the one in charge.

This part is crucial because dogs who think they are in charge are always going to try to control the food and they will be unpredictable…

This can be very dangerous, especially when other dogs or young children are around when it's feeding time, dogs with food aggression issues simply think that they are the "Pack Leaders" they think they are the ones in charge!

A dog with this mindset, is more likely to get cranky and lash out if they think someone is trying to steal their meal.

Here's the good news…

It’s not hard to establish yourself as the leader in a kind, gentle way. All you need is a little time and patience.

I've found one of the easiest ways to reassure your dog that you are the provider is to always eat your meals first before you feed your dog.

When you finish your meal, eat the last bit over their bowl, to show them that you always eat first. In your dog's eyes, this means YOU are the one in charge and they will understand and get the message.  

Your dog will soon understand that you are the provider then everything else falls into place…

Sticking with this routine, will change the whole relationship with your dog for the better. It’s something I’ve helped tens of thousands of people establish with their dogs and it’s what I am totally passionate about.

If you’re interested in finding out more, check out The Dog Calming Code.

In this program, you'll get step-by-step instructions on how to establish yourself as the "Pack Leader", the one in charge or the decision maker. The knock on effect of this is that your dog will relax and focus on you so much more and you'll end up with a more responsive dog who is easier to train!

Next: Steps to Helping Resolve Your Dog’s Food Aggression Issues

To re-cap - Food aggression is a very serious issue that can result in serious injury to other dogs and people.

Is your dog exhibiting signs of food aggression? If so you need to be sure to...

1. Put a comprehensive training program in place—like The Dog Calming Code.
2. Keep kids and other pets away from your dog while he eats.
3. Ensure your dog feels safe while eating meals.

If you'd like to know how to make your dog feel safe while eating, I've put together a FREE guide on 3 ways you can help your dog feel safe during mealtimes.

↓Download the FREE guide here!

​Best wishes as you work with your pup.

Cheers,

~Doggy Dan

​Believe me this mistake is far too serious and too common to ignore.

I'm going to share an email I received yesterday with you because it's just too important and typical of what happens when people get a puppy and aren't aware of this... plus this will save you a lot of heartache and money wasted...

All around the world, thousands and thousands of people are getting new puppies every day and enrolling them in puppy school, or a puppy training class, thinking they are doing the right thing.

They could even progress to dog obedience later on thinking that they are going to end up with an obedient well trained dog that is safe and under their control.

They've spent hundreds of dollars and hours of their time in hope of achieving that...

Would you be shocked to know that they have wasted their money and that sending them to Puppy School or Dog Obedience doesn't mean they will achieve this? 

What they will learn at obedience school is how to teach their dogs to follow commands in a sterile environment. Yes they will get some socialisation if done correctly, but what is often overlooked is the really important information.

The number one, most important thing for them to learn first is that YOU are the Pack Leader, this is crucial to prevent serious issues as your puppy grows up.

Understanding how to become and remain the Pack Leader and PREVENT serious issues as your puppy grows up is fundamental.

This will ensure that your training will work while they are puppies and continue to work as they grow up.

Now back to the email I received...

​from a lovely lady who unfortunately spend hundreds of dollars and many hours at puppy training, and is now seeking help, it's a classic example of what happens every single day. She has spent close to $500 and she is left with several serious issues which she now needs help with.

Her dog is growling, barking, nipping her to get attention, is fixated, can't relax and follows her everywhere so that she doesn't get any peace.

 So what is the point of puppy  pre-school and puppy training if all they learn is sit and stay?

Here is the email she sent in...

Hi There,

For my 30th birthday last year I got a little puppy who, for the most part, has been well behaved.

She has done a couple of puppy schools and training classes where she did very well and showed she was a quick learner.

However, over the last few months (she is now 1 and a quarter) her behavior has been getting worse.

Here is a list of her issues at the moment: - Barking & growling.

She is constantly growling out the windows at nothing in particular, anything can set her off - birds, the neighbors chickens, people next door, trees moving, rustling in the bush, dogs down on the beach, kids toys on the lawn next door and imaginary things.

Once she starts barking she seems to get fixated on it. This is her biggest problem and it is so frustrating not only to us but I am sure to the neighbors as well.

As well as barking at things outside, when she wants attention she will growl/bark/nip at me (only does this with mainly me, sometimes other family members. Is very cuddly at the park with other people). -

She is unable to occupy herself and is constantly following me around.

She does not seem to know how to relax and chill out. - Because of her barking, we can't leave her outside by herself, as she will just bark non-stop.

She has a sweet personality but the barking and attention seeking is very draining and I would like to be able to enjoy having her around again and I am sure she would be happier if she were more independent and relaxed.

Do you think you would be able to suggest someone to come and help us get our lovely little girl back?” Thanks Christine W and Poppy

Very sad, when you think that it could have all been prevented and saved her all the stress, time and money if she had only known about Dan's training in the first place.

No one explained to the puppies owner the importance of becoming the Pack Leader because as always this is the real cause of the problems.

Nipping, Barking, following the owner around, not settling, are all symptoms of a dog that thinks that it has to be the Pack Leader to protect the property.

And the dog will follow you around to protect you, much the same as a mum will follow her children to protect them.

It all comes down to YOU becoming the Pack Leader so that your puppy can switch off and relax because you are now in charge.

Puppy training to follow commands is fun and so it should be, your puppy needs to learn these skills but it shouldn't be the only thing you focus on.

Gaining you dogs respect is vital, you really need to understand that, so that they will listen to your commands even when they are fully grown. Keeping  them safe when it really matters.

One of the best sites I have found to learn these skills to help your dog is Doggy Dan's Video Website - The On line Dog Trainer...

Watch Dan raising his very cute puppy, Moses, from 8 weeks of age right through to 8 months and beyond, it's full of training hints.

 On his site he covers  all dog training and dog behavioural problems.

AND right now, Dan offers a 3 Day $1 trial of the site that you can take advantage of.

Go and take a look for yourself, you will really enjoy his method of training, it's not hard at all and he cover the REALLY important topics on raising a puppy effectively.

It's a video diary of an amazing puppy who has turned out to be a fantastic dog.

Follow his lead, (pardon the pun) don't wait until you have problems with your dog, save yourself the stress and the cost of having to re-train when problems develop later on.

It's true that prevention is better than cure!

Sign up for  Doggy Dan's 3 Day $1 Trial of the Online Dog Trainer. You'll LOOVE it!

It's the complete dog and puppy training website where you can get it right the first time around.

CLICK HERE: To get access straight away! 

Wondering how to raise the "Perfect" Dog?

Get all the answers here... Doggy Dan's On Line Dog Training.

Watch the movie below for FREE tips!

Turn Your Puppy Into The Perfect Dog.

How do you raise the perfect dog?

We all want the perfect dog, but it's a bit like saying, is there a perfect human?

I guess you know the answer is No...

However, I must say there are some really good people out there and some awesome dogs too.

So... What's the trick you ask?

Here's my best advice... before you start stressing out about puppy school and learning the usual tricks like high fives, commando crawls and roly polies, ask you self this honest question...

Do you want your dream dog to be a performing monkey? that's on show for visitors when they come, so they can comment on how cool that is? How clever your dog is, asking you how you trained him to do that?

We spend so much time on simple commands while we forget the important stuff, so the next time your visitors come you may be warning them of things like, " Don't go near him when he's eating", or "Don't pat him on the head", or "Watch the children don't go near his toys"!

Isn't this insane? We get so busy teaching them commands like "sit" and "stay" and we forget about the really important things, we often don't think about these things until it's too late.

The reason for this is that most dog trainers are stuck doing what everyone else is doing, training commands like, "sit", "down" and "stay". They don't think any further than that, they are just following what everyone else is doing - like sheep. And no one is questioning it.

I want you to think about this, dogs are not euthanized because they didn't sit properly or they were too slow to pick up the "down" or "stay" command.

No, of course not, people don't really care about that stuff, and sadly that's all that's taught at puppy school, but the fact is that more dogs are put down because of Aggression, barking, challenging and growling at visitors, aggressive behaviour to owners, visitors and children.

  It's so sad, when they could have been helped.

Nothing is more frightening and dangerous than a dog that is out of control. A dog that pulls on the leash and who ignores you when they are off leash. This is so dangerous  not just for your dog but for cars, and other dogs or people who get in their way.

here are very few trainers out there who can show you how to prevent this, I suspect it's because they don't understand it themselves.

Here's  a list of the Five things people see as the "Perfect Dog"

1. Calm around all dogs and other animals

2. Friendly to all people including children

3. Obedient and Relaxed around the home

4. Excels at coming when called at the park

5. Perfect when walking  in public on the leash

Hhmmm… I can hear you saying…. You’ve got a point there!  So how on earth do we achieve it?

Well I've got good news...  it's not complicated.

Well I should say,  it's not complicated or tricky anymore...

Thanks to Doggy Dan’s The Online Dog Trainer video website 

You'll see when you watch Dan's videos, he even offers a 3 Day $1 trial of the site

I suggest you take advantage of it so you can see for yourself the most amazing collection of videos showing you exactly how to achieve this kind of 'perfect' dog.

Doggy Dan will show you through the video diary of 8 week old puppy Moses, guiding you through every stage of achieving all the things I've just mentioned.

 You'll see the entire year of filming where Doggy Dan shows you his puppy growing  and the series of lessons each week that need to be learned at that particular stage of the puppy's life.

You will be able to copy the lessons in the video so that you can train your puppy at exactly the right time, to ensure problems don't manifest later on.

And don't worry, the site caters for all types of problems that you may encounter even when your dog is fully grown.

You'll see In-depth sections on health, food, behaviour and training . Doggy Dan’s site is truly Awesome with over 250 videos inside.

You'll learn exactly how to achieve those 5 important behaviours I mentioned earlier... and much, much more!  

Remember :  If you keep doing the same things, you'll keep getting the same results. Your dog is worth the effort, you'll be so proud of them and  you'll have a happy dog for life.

Simply take the 3 day $1 trial inside the Doggy Dan's site.

Click here to Access Today​

This Video is just so cute, I had to put it up here, it's one of my fav's.

as found on YouTube

We are firm believers that no family is complete without a dog...

A house is just not a home without a canine companion. But, not all of us want fur on our clothing and furniture.

If you are looking for a small dog with equally small amounts of shedding hair, you are in luck. Let’s check out some small family dogs that don’t shed.

Compliments of Animal Facts YouTube.

10. Yorkshire Terrier 

Playful and affectionate, the Yorkshire Terrier, often called the Yorkie, is a small dog full of personality. These spunky little lap dogs are the seventh most popular dog breed in America, and for good reason. Not the least among those reasons is that Yorkshire Terriers don’t shed, and their silky coats are beautiful. That is if you brush them out daily, which is made easy by their small size. Of course, you could just go with a nice short hair cut, like a puppy cut.

Don’t be fooled by their lap dog reputations – Yorkies have working-class roots. These fearless terriers hunted rats in English clothing mills. Today they are just as happy to sit on their human’s lap as they are running down a rodent. Yorkies do not shed, so that means they depend on their owners to keep their hair in check. Left unattended, their hair will keep growing, just like a human’s would—in fact, Yorkshire terrier hair can grow to be two feet long.

Yeah, the Yorkie can give Rapunzel a run for her money. Needless to say, trips to the groomer will become part of your lifestyle.

9. Miniature Schnauzer

This list is surprisingly full of small dogs that have roots in ratting. The Miniature Schnauzer is a smart, trainable, and cheerful little former ratting dog that strongly resembles its larger Schnauzer cousins.

With an outgoing personality, a portable size, and sporty good looks, you’ve got an ideal family dog. This friendly and obedient Terrier, yes it’s a Terrier… Unlike the rest of the Terrier group, Schnauzers come from Germany, instead of the British Isles.

It sheds very little, and their adaptable nature makes them at home in the city or the country, as long as their people are involved. To keep your Miniature Schnauzer looking its best, make time for weekly brushing an regular grooming.

8. Scottish Terrier 

Their origins may be a bit of a mystery, but we do know that the wee Scottie comes from Scotland, as the name seems to suggest.

Yet another ratter, this solidly compact dog of vivid personality, the Scottish Terrier is an independent, confident companion of high spirits and a dignified, sometimes human-like character.

Their wiry, weather-resistant coats shed little, although they do require regular brushing, grooming, and the occasional hand-stripping to keep their coats healthy. Scotties are clever and independent dogs that are affectionate with family and good with kids.

7. Chinese Crested

It’s kinda easy to not shed when you’re hairless! Chinese Crested dogs come in two coat types: hairless and powder puff. Hairless Chinese Crested have hair on their heads, tail, and feet, while the powder puff is covered with a coat of fine hair that sheds very minimally. 

The Chinese Crested breed was created to be a companion. You won’t find a better lap dog. They can lie in bed for hours without moving a muscle. They have almost no desire to go out and run around like normal dogs, although they are surprisingly athletic.

Chinese Cresteds are intensely social dogs and bond quickly within their family. Once it falls in love with you, you’ll have a little stalker on your hands. Hairless dog breeds require extra care and attention when it comes to their skin. Without hair, they need protection from the sun and cold and are more prone to skin irritations.

6. Bichon Frise 

The Bichon Frise is truly a non-shedding small dog breed. This playful and affectionate dog is an ideal family dog breed for those that may have allergy sufferers in their clan. And yes, according to the American Kennel Club, the correct pronunciation is bee-shon free-zay. It’s French.

The fluffy white Bichon is a great family dog that is affection with almost everyone and good with other dogs and children, even the family cat.

They may be non-shedding but they are not maintenance free. The Bichon Frise’s hair grows continuously, requiring frequent grooming, brushing two or three times a week, and the occasional bath in order to keep up with its powder-puff looks. While there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, some breeds come close. Since the Bichon doesn’t shed and produces less dander than other dogs, sufferers of allergies might have little to no symptoms in this dog's company.

5. West Highland White Terrier

Among the most popular of small terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, or Westie as it is often called, sheds very little. Originating in Northwestern Scotland as a working dog, this sturdy little dog with the coarse white coat is intelligent, loyal, happy, and highly entertaining.

They are curious little dogs with moderate energy levels and an independent streak common among Terrier breeds. Alert and active, Westies exhibit all the traits of a plucky and self-reliant ratting terrier: They require no pampering, they will chase after anything that moves, and their independence can make training a challenge.

But, thanks to their faithfulness and keen intelligence, Westies will train nicely with time and patience and make for a wonderful little family companion. The little dogs have sensitive ears, so some sunscreen is recommended if you plan on spending a lot of time in the sun. Yes, dogs can get sunburned too.

4. Poodle

When you think small dogs that don’t shed, you likely think of the Poodle, specifically the toy or miniature poodle. And Poodles are indeed non-shedding and hypoallergenic, but it does require regular grooming. Poodles are intelligent and train easily, making the Poodle an easy choice for the family new to dog life.

The Poodle is not a froo-froo dog. It’s an elegant athlete that can master anything from sit and stay to advanced agility training. Most pet owners opt to keep the Poodle in a shorter trim.

Some owners learn to do this clipping and trimming themselves, while others choose to take their dog to a professional dog groomer every four to six weeks for a bath, grooming, and nail trim.

If you don’t plan to keep your Poodle’s hair in a short trim, daily brushing is absolutely required to keep its coat from matting and dread locked. On the plus side, they are generally odorless and can sport some really cool hairdos.

3. Brussels Griffon

If you want a small family dog that doesn’t require pampering, the Ewok-looking Brussels Griffon is right up your alley. Both smooth-coated and rough-coated varieties of the Brussels Griffon thrive with regular grooming and are minimal shedders.

Their small size means that a daily walk and indoor play is usually enough to satisfy their exercise needs, and this loyal little dog does best with families who are frequently home. A sensitive companion for discerning pet parents, the Brussels Griffon is smart, devoted, and comically self-important.

With the Griff, you get a big personality in a 5-to-15-pound package. And with one look into its big, human-like eyes, you’ll be smitten. But these breed is rare and may be difficult to find.

But, it may be the only dog on the planet capable of upstaging Jack Nicholson. The Smooth coated BG does shed some, mostly during shedding season for about a week in the Spring and fall. The Wire coated Brussels Griffon does not shed. But either dog is low maintenance.

2. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu has a long pedigree. The favored house pet of China’s Tang Dynasty. The pampered pets led luxurious lives in palaces, enjoying all the creature comforts a dog could want.

Their thick coats made them effective radiators, and their owners would use the dogs to keep their beds warm, which is still a good use for them today. Ahhhh warm little doggy. These “little lions dogs” come in a variety of colors and patterns, none of them less adorable than the other. Loyal and loving companions, these small dogs are an ideal fit for anyone in need of affection. Their long, silky hair is low-shedding and looks exceptionally regal when brushed out, befitting their royal ancestry. Shih Tzu were bred to be house pets, and their gentle, trusting nature makes them exceptional companions.

Keeping the Shih Tzu coat gorgeous is demanding. Daily brushing and combing is necessary to prevent tangles, as is frequent bathing (as often as once a week). In fact, many Shih Tzu lovers hire a professional groomer to clip those long locks short every month or so.

Before we get to number one, the Terrier group is full of small dog breeds that don’t shed or shed minimally. We’ve already included several, but others include: Wire Fox Terrier Dandie Dinmont Terrier Cairn Terrier Australian Terrier Border Terrier Bedlington Terrier Sealyham Terrier Silky Terrier Welsh Terrier

1. Maltese

The ancient dog of Malta, the Maltese, has not changed much over the past 28 centuries; it’s been sitting in laps since the Bible was a work in progress. That is perhaps in part because of their long, white coats shed very little, making them an ideal lap dog.

Maltese are playful, charming, and adaptable toy companions. This picture of free-flowing elegance, this irresistible Maltese face—with its big, dark eyes and black gumdrop nose—can conquer even the hardest of hearts. With the family, the dog of Malta is playful, gentle and charming.

Sporting a thick coat of hair instead of fur, these little dogs don’t shed. Instead, they need occasional haircuts to keep their mops in check. Their white tufts are hypoallergenic, making them great for families with allergies. Their coats do require regular brushing to prevent mats from forming, and an occasional bath removes any unwanted dirt and debris from their long, silky hair. Just remember just because your dog doesn’t shed that they are zero maintenance. Most dogs need brushing and don’t forget those nails and teeth. So, which of these breeds fits your lifestyle.

As found on Youtube

Once you've found a breed that suits you and your family, your going to need a good Dog Trainer.

The best Dog Trainer that I've found on line is Doggy Dan's On Line Dog Training.

Dan is gentle... he gets Awesome results, but don't take my word for it, check out what other people from all over the world are saying about him.

Click HERE to get your FREE Videos Today...