Behavioral problems

Question
QUESTION: Hey i was wondering,I have this Beagle and he is good most of the time. But
when we are eating dinner (especially meat of any sort) he gets protective and
he starts to shake and then he will nip/bite at you??

what kind of training would help with that??
What could we do??
Please help me!

Sincerely
  connor



ANSWER: Hello Connor!
What your beagle is showing is dominance he wants you to know he is in charge, granite he isn't. This is common is most dogs. Simply when he nips or shakes, say NO firmly and point your index finger in his snout. Scold him if he still does it, as well as praise him when he does not nip at you. There isn't to much to do help with things like that because it is usually a "dog phase". But try these things when you feed him hold the bowl and let him nibble at first and let him see that it is ok. Once again scold if bad praise if good. Take it away for 5 minutes if he keeps on snapping, hunger will motivate him to come to you. It sounds odd and unethical but it will help him to see that it is ok. After a few days set the bowl down and let him eat and then try to get near him if snaps simply take it away. Give him a treat when he does it well. It is a dominance thing and will pass with some simple obedience training. Good luck and never hesitate to ask me for any more help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey umm yeah its not when he is eating it is when we are eating.
He sits guarding our food and when we go to get it he Bites/Nips at us.

What could we do about that??

He dose it weather or not  we feed him at the same time we eat or not at the
same time.
What should i do??

Answer
I apologize for the mix up. A lot of people experience this, your dog is taking it to the extreme. It would probably be best to feed him at the same time you eat. Make sure you are only feeding him 2-3 times a day. When I mentioned scold him when he nips at you, still continue to use that. Give a firm NO and point your index finger in his snout. Dogs are crazy about meat and will stop at nothing to get it. That comes from their ancestors when in the wild and searching for meat to eat. Try putting him in a different room or let him go outside when you eat. Also it may be vital to get him obdience trained so you can tell him to sit and he will obey. Try letting him eat dinner outside while you eat for a couple of weeks if that is possible. The biting could be a dominace thing and he is wanting you to know he is in charge, which he isn't. Good luck and I apolofize again for the mix up, please if you need anymore help contact me and I would be more than happy to answer.