We have a border collie mix rescue named Chloe who has developed a bad habit over the past year. She takes a mouthful of dry food from her bowl, walks 10 feet into the living room, drops it on the carpet, and then eats it. Chloe is 5 years old and the dominant dog in the house, living with another border collie mix and a cat. She is very protective of the food bowls and growls at our other dog and sometimes us, but doesn’t protest when we remove the food she drops.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop this behavior and insights on why it might have started?
To help manage your dogs’ feeding habits and reduce their anxiety, try using two separate bowls and feeding them at specific times once or twice a day. It may take a few days for them to adjust, so if they don’t eat right away, remove the bowls and wait until the next mealtime. Dogs usually adapt well to this routine, and limiting their exposure to food can alleviate the anxiety causing their inappropriate behaviors. Border Collies, in particular, are prone to developing obsessive tendencies, so it’s important to address food guarding issues promptly before they escalate.
Chloe’s habit of carrying food away from her bowl and onto the carpet, coupled with resource guarding behaviors, suggests a complex dynamic influenced by her environment and past experiences. To address this, start by feeding Chloe in a quiet, designated area where she feels secure and less inclined to move the food. Work on desensitizing her to the presence of other pets and people during meal times by gradually increasing their proximity and rewarding calm behavior. Consistent positive reinforcement and a calm feeding routine can help alleviate her anxiety around food and reduce the need to guard resources. If the behavior persists or escalates, seeking guidance from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist who specializes in resource guarding can provide further insights and tailored strategies to modify Chloe’s behavior effectively.
My old dog used to take his food out of his bowl, move to a corner in our kitchen, and eat there. He’d go back and forth until he was done. I think he felt safe in that little corner. My current dog won’t eat unless I’m standing next to her. She’ll take the food and sit by me before she starts eating.
This is also what my boyfriend’s dog does all the time. She is from the pound, and I believe she chose this habit to avoid fighting with other people for food in order to receive a mouthful of food.
She also takes mouthfuls and picks at her food to acquire the pieces she likes when we switch to a different brand, I’ve seen.