1) To calm dog.
Diet. Avoid canned and semi-moist foods as these usually contain preservatives and artificial colours which cause some dogs to become over-excited. An increase in the protein content of the diet and a decrease in carbohydrates will help to calm the dog and so causes a decrease in the dog's aggression. A good quality dry dogfood will contain 26% protein for adults; 28% for puppies. To bring the protein to the 30% or more necessary to calm hyperactive dogs add meat, chicken, fish or cooked eggs to the diet daily.
2) Change to two meals a day if now on one.
A dog fed twice a day is not so hungry at mealtimes so it is not so defensive of its food. You will also be using mealtimes as a chance to teach the dog to welcome your presence when eating. Training can proceed twice as quickly with the extra meal.
3) Training at mealtime.
Split the dog's meal among four containers, put one of them down and immediately leave the room. When the dog has finished eating, walk in with the next bowl and speaking in a cheerful voice put it down some distance from the first bowl and leave. Repeat until all the bowls are given.
The reason for this procedure is that feeding times have become a time of stress for both you and the dog. There is no stress when you are out of the room while the dog is eating and your frequent reappearance with more food and friendly manner will teach the dog to look forward to seeing you. When the dog begins to show interest and pleasure each time you appear, begin to put down the next bowl just before he stops eating and move away but don't leave the room. With time gradually put down the additional bowls closer to the place were he is eating, being sure to speak to him constantly so he always knows where you are. Be careful that you NEVER touch him or put out your hand as if to touch him or his food. You should now be greeted with a brief wag of the tail.
4) Other training.
Most dogs hate to be touched when eating and doing so immediately puts them on the defensive. You have unintentionally built up this hatred. The dog's growls show that he does not like it and when the growls were ignored he got so upset that he resorted to biting. The way to correct this is not to try to force him to tolerate your touch but to change his whole attitude towards you when he is eating, as described above. His resentment has gone beyond hating to be touched when eating to disliking a touch at any time. Be aware of this, and never reach out to touch him. After a few days, I expect he will notice the lack of physical contact and may try to initiate it with nudges of the nose or pushing against your legs. Reply with a happy tone of voice to show him you approve but do not immediately respond with a touch. Let him ask again and then only touch him briefly, leaving him wanting more.
5) Building a happy relationship.
These changes should prevent all situations when the dog now growls, snaps or bites so there should be no need for you to raise your voice to order him upstairs or outside. Try to spend five minutes a day playing games with him. Hiding small pieces of food at floor level with the command "find it" or playing hide and seek with a food reward and praise would do. Jumping over a small obstacle or going round or under a chair are other ideas. Only use basic obedience commands if these are non-threatening to the dog. Every success should be rewarded by praise and a small treat but no physical contact. I want both of you relaxed and enjoying the time together to re-establish a good relationship between you.
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