Hey all, I have a nearly 6-month-old dog named Ketchup (he’s a Husky/Pomeranian/Bearded Collie mix) who has been showing some serious food aggression. We’ve been doing some training for over a month, but I’m still worried. He snarls, barks, and even sometimes bites if anyone tries to get near his food, and it’s causing some tension. I need to know if this can actually be fixed or if we’re just wasting time here. Anyone had similar issues with their pups? Will this get better with more training or is it a lost cause? 
Food aggression can be a tough one, but it’s definitely something you can work through with enough patience. You’ve been doing the right thing with hand-feeding and sit/stay commands, just keep reinforcing it every day!
@SophyGenesis
Same here, I had to do hand-feeding for a while with my dog. It took some time but it really helped. I’d also suggest practicing ‘leave it’ more often, especially with food around.
WoofWisdom1 said:
@SophyGenesis
Same here, I had to do hand-feeding for a while with my dog. It took some time but it really helped. I’d also suggest practicing ‘leave it’ more often, especially with food around.
Thanks! We’ve been working on ‘leave it,’ but he’s about 50-60% with food. Do you think that’s good enough or should I keep pushing harder on that command?
My dog had some food aggression issues too when he was younger. It’s tough, but it definitely gets better! I’d recommend sticking to consistent training and not giving up. Dogs can get through it with the right approach. 
@Brad
Yeah, I’m really trying not to give up, but sometimes it feels like we’re not making progress fast enough. Thanks for the encouragement though! 
I’ve been dealing with food aggression with my dog too! It can definitely be trained out, but like others said, patience is key. I’ve noticed a huge improvement after sticking to short daily sessions. Keep working on it!
@dianastriver
Good to know! We’ll keep at it, but I’m hoping to see more improvement soon. How long did it take for your dog to calm down with food?
@dianastriver
It took a few months of consistent work, but I saw improvements after about 2 months. Stick with it, it’s worth it!
Just a thought—have you considered neutering Ketchup? I’ve heard that can help mellow out food aggression in some cases. Maybe talk to your vet about it!
NILAH said:
Just a thought—have you considered neutering Ketchup? I’ve heard that can help mellow out food aggression in some cases. Maybe talk to your vet about it!
Yeah, we’re planning on neutering him when he’s old enough. Maybe it’ll help with his behavior! 
It’s totally fixable, don’t worry! But you’ve gotta be consistent and patient. Maybe try not feeding him around other dogs or food distractions until he gets the idea that his food is his own, and no one will take it.
@Hazel
That’s a good point. He’s been okay at home, but whenever we go to other people’s houses and there’s food, it’s a different story. I’ll try to avoid those situations for now. Thanks!