Why did my dog suddenly bite me over food? Is it resource guarding?

Question

So Remy did the unthinkable, she bit me.. I spilled some kibble and as I was cleaning it up she was helping of course.. but as I went to pick her up she bit me, then as i was reprimanding her she was growling and showing teeth.. completely out of character for her.. I have grandchildren, I’m really careful about food aggression and she’s never been food aggressive.. I’m just really confused and concerned. Pet's info: Dog | Cocker Spaniel | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 1 month old

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear that this happened! How stressful and upsetting for both of you. It sounds like Remy may have some resource guarding issues related to food, which can trigger biting in situations like this. If food is the only trigger that causes her to react his way, this problem is likely very treatable - although I would recommend working with a veterinary behaviorist or a good reward-based trainer who can help you in person, to ensure that you're doing this safely. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here (www.dacvb.org) or a qualified trainer here (www.ccpdt.org). In the meantime, make sure not to bother Remy while she is eating, and don't attempt to take food or treats away from her to minimize the risk of any further incidents. If you have visitors or children in the house, it would be safest to feed her in a separate room with the door closed to ensure that no one accidentally comes too close to her while she eats. Finally, I would also recommend having your bite injury checked by your physician, as dog and cat bites can easily become infected and may need treatment with antibiotics.

Why did my dog suddenly bite me over food? Is it resource guarding?

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