Disturbing a dog while he’s eating is the equivalent to taking candy from a baby or disturbing the boys when they’re all set with burgers and beer. Animal behaviourist Lindsay Norman says that food aggression is a common problem and the causes range from dominance and excessive guarding to plain instinct.

It’s most important that you never pester your dog while he or she is eating.

‘Some people will take away their dog’s food while they’re eating just to prove a point – but to my mind that’s really unfair and pointless. How would you feel if someone took your plate away while you were still eating? Or worse, while you were chewing a chop bone at a braai? Frustrated and a bit angry? Most probably! Having said that, it’s important to get your dog used to you and other family members being around while he or she is eating,’ says Lindsay.

Here’s how:

• Divide your puppy’s meals into two or three small portions. When she has finished a portion, take the bowl away, immediately add some more food and give it to her. Carry on doing this until her allocated meal is finished.
• The next step is to add food while she is eating. Then move away and do something else but come back to the bowl with an extra-special treat such as a piece of chicken or biltong. In this way, your puppy associates human presence around her bowl as a positive and rather lucrative experience rather than a threatening one.
• Dogs are far less likely to be aggressive around food if they are not very hungry. For this reason it is much better to feed them two meals a day as it keeps them satisfied for much longer. Remember also that puppies need three meals a day – ask your vet to provide you with a feeding plan.