pup growling when go near his food

[char]

hi, i have a 11 week old german shep/husky and over the last few days he has started to growl and try to bite when we go near his food, i try to make a point of b4 i give him his food i hold it up in his bowl and tell him to sit then i put it down and tell him to wait then when i am ready i let him have it, we always pet him or put our hand near his bowl as we have two small children and need him to learn that they will do this , it has only been a day or so but this is not good and has to stop now, please any advice ?
char

[Katie the Dog Trainer]

Hi Char

It may be better to allow your dog some time out to eat his meal in peace. He is obviously feeling frustrated at your attempts to make him non-responsive with this issue and it may have made him worse. I understand why you have done this though so please dont feel bad, it just just dogs think differently and react differently. How would you react if someone kept taking away your food or trying to touch it and also imagine you are 3 years old at the time? My grandad used to tease me as a small child when the dessert came out by hiding my pudding and i got cross at him one day, snatched the bowl off him and stomped off to the bathroom! Its probably how your puppy is feeling!

Why not feed him in a quiet place or room or even outside if you have space, where he can eat without the children around so he feels less anxious around the food, it may be that this is all you need to do to help him, but from experience he may take a while and may need expert help if this problem escalates. Perhaps give him his meals at the same time you give the chidren theirs so they are all occupied at once? Also when you give him the food dont ask him to wait or anything for now as this may be adding to his frustration, just give him the food quietly and slowly and leave him to it. Consult a qualified canine communication specialist if you need further help.

I understand what you are trying to do but it might be better to see it from his point of view until you can work out the best solution for you all as dogs see the word diffrently to us humans.

I hope this helps a little,

Katie
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