Opens in a new tab

Feeding, Training

French Bulldog Food Aggression: What To Do About It

TomKings blog banner on food aggression, with a fawn French Bulldog in a plaid outfit being handed a treat
Food aggression and what to do about it?

Table of contents

Want more tips?

Download our free Frenchie Care eBooks.

Get eBooks

If your Frenchie has reached the level of aggression when he bites you during feeding, that is a serious condition, and you need to seek professional help.

What to do if your Frenchie has food agression?

If you haven’t reached this state yet, but your dog growls or shows his teeth when you approach him during feeding, is not acceptable behavior either.

There must be some distance between the owner and the dog in the family hierarchy. You, as the owner, must be on top of this hierarchy. You have to be the alpha dog. You and only you get to decide what is his and what is yours. You have the privilege to decide which area is yours and which belongs to your dog. But when your dog believes he gets to decide, that means he thinks he is above you on the hierarchy.

Turning this around is not an easy task, but also not impossible. You’ve got to be consistent and remain calm at all times. Do not tell him off when he is aggressive over food, and do not fight with him. You’ve got to make sure he understands that you are the boss and not him. Here’s what you can do to achieve this.

You have to behave similarly to him. Create situations in which your dog cannot participate. For example, he is not allowed to approach you or the family table while you are eating. When he approaches anyway, tell him off and chase him away. Another situation is when you are resting on your couch, and he is trying to approach you. Do not let him jump on the couch except when you give verbal permission to do it.

Feeding times:

Humans eat first at all times! Never feed the dog before you’d eat or while you are eating. Make him understand that the food is yours, and he only gets the leftovers. That will indicate to him that he is not the alpha dog, and he must wait for his turn.

Also, make him sit by the door while you prepare his food, and even when you put his bowl off the floor. Only let him approach the food when you give verbal permission to do it. If he is impatient, you can try growling back at him. I know it sounds funny, but you’ve got to make him understand that you are the alpha, you are the boss.

Make these rules unbreakable. Be consistent, and stay strong mentally. By the time he will get your point and will start to behave well. 

Available Puppies 🐶

Ready to meet their forever family!

Join “The Frenchie Life” Masterclass!

Why do celebrities and families wait months for a TomKings puppy? Every week, we’ll send you an insider’s look at the Frenchie lifestyle—from world-class health tips by our animal scientists to early access to our most anticipated litters.

Hi, I'm Willa! 🐶

Hi, I’m Willa. I'm a black merle and tan Frenchie girl with a beautifully gentle soul and a sweetness that makes me impossible not to love. I have a quietly curious nature, preferring to observe the world with my thoughtful little eyes before carefully exploring

Hi, I'm Oswald! 🐶

Hi, I’m Oswald. I'm a fawn merle Frenchie boy with a wonderfully cozy personality and a gentle curiosity that makes me easy to adore. I enjoy quietly discovering new things and keeping busy with my chew toy, though I can be surprisingly playful for a

Hi, I'm Nadia! 🐶

Hi, I’m Nadia. I'm a black trindle Frenchie girl with a wonderfully affectionate personality and a heart that seems to have room for everyone. I'm a true social butterfly who loves being surrounded by people and other puppies, always happy to receive a little attention

Hi, I'm Bennie! 🐶

Hi, I’m Bennie! I’m an Isabella and tan Frenchie boy with a lively personality and an endless love for playtime. I’m a true fetch fanatic, always ready to chase my tennis ball with all the enthusiasm my little legs can manage, and I also love

Hi, I'm Dusty! 🐶

Hi, I’m Dusty. I’m a lilac fawn Frenchie boy with a brave heart and a playful personality that makes me a fun companion. I love discovering new things and turning ordinary moments into tiny adventures. I especially enjoy a good game of tug of war,

Hi, I'm Naomi! 🐶

Hi, I’m Naomi, a black and tan Frenchie girl with a gentle little heart and a playful streak. I have a quietly curious nature, often taking my time to investigate new things, but my cheeky side really comes out during a game of tug-of-war with

Hi, I'm Hubert! 🐶

Hi, I’m Hubert. I'm a choco merle fluffy Frenchie boy with a big, loving heart and a wonderfully outgoing personality. I'm a true social butterfly who loves making friends and joining in on all the fun, especially a good game of tug of war. My

Hi, I'm Lille! 🐶

Hi, I’m Lille. I’m a rojo merle and tan Frenchie girl with a tender little heart and a beautifully gentle personality. I have a quietly curious nature, often watching the world with sweet, thoughtful eyes before taking a few tiny steps to explore something new.

Hi, I'm Potion! 🐶

Hi, I’m Potion. I’m a black merle and tan Frenchie boy with a peaceful little soul and a wonderfully laid-back personality, making me a true homebody who finds happiness in the simplest things. I love snuggling up with my favorite plush animal or enjoying a

Hi, I'm Pierce! 🐶

Hi, I’m Pierce. I'm a handsome mini sable Frenchie boy with a brave little spirit and a wonderfully affectionate nature. I love discovering new things, approaching every adventure with curiosity, and I'm a quick learner who enjoys figuring things out, especially during playtime with my