Page 309 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

GOOD BEHA VIOR 309

TRAINING | GIVING UP CHEWS

Once he has eaten the treat, immediately
giv
3 . Repeat the lesson
w
ack the che
e him b
at intervals. It won’t be long before your dog
learns to give up his chews happily.

When your dog has been enjoying a chew for
a while
1 , approach calmly with a really smelly
treat. Get close enough for him to smell it and
use it to lure him away from his chew.

As he moves away from his chew, give
2 him the smelly treat and at the same time
calmly pick up the chew with your other hand.
Use the treat to keep him distracted.

Preventing food aggression give your puppy his food, crouch down beside him and gently
Dogs can be very possessive about their food, and many will stroke and talk to him as he eats. Offer him some really tasty
guard it against anyone who approaches. Although perfectly treats, such as cooked chicken or cheese, and allow him to
normal canine behavior, it is not tolerable in a pet dog and take them from you. If he is comfortable with this, progress
must be discouraged at a very early stage. Training a dog by putting your hand into his food bowl and letting him take
not to be aggressive about food is easy. Simply teach your the treat from there. Repeat this once or twice before
puppy to expect that anyone who approaches him while he leaving him to finish his meal. If you approach and your
is eating will have something even tastier to offer. When you puppy looks up expectantly, lift up his bowl and place some
tasty treats in it before returning it to him right away. Once
his response is absolutely predictable, get a variety of
different people, including children, to repeat the procedure.
As the puppy grows up, repeat this training less frequently,
but do not stop completely until your dog is fully mature.
A dog that has already developed aggression around food
poses a genuine risk and will bite anyone who gets too
close. Do not attempt to treat this problem without the
advice of a professional behavior counselor.
HANDOUT
Offering your dog a treat on the flat of your hand prevents him from
accidentally catching you with his teeth. Make sure that friends
and children offering him treats are taught this rule.

US_308-309_Good_Behaviour2.indd 309 10/09/19 3:42 PM