Resource guarding

[cheeseisthebest]

I have an almost 2 year old shih tzu, he's a lovely boy and normally very placid. He's our only dog. He gets on really well friends dogs, plays with them etc but any food he will resource guard with other dogs. He doesn't do it with us. We were out with friends the other day at a pub and I fed him, he growled quite aggressively at their dog even though I fed him away from the other dog. He then inhaled the food in a few seconds which he doesn't do at home.
Today we had a dog round who he absolutely loves, we gave them both a small treat and he did the same thing.
He is generally fed at lunchtime and in the evenings and I'm wondering if I should be more rigid with the timings? As it can change. Also I'm going to stop leaving his kibble down all day.

Please be gentle with me, I've not had a dog before and I really want to sort this.

It’s quite common, I wouldn’t give any food or treats to your dog while there are other dogs close from now on. If he needs to eat while you are out then take him somewhere private like the car and let him eat in peace.

most dogs like routine so I’d also agree with being more consistent with the timings of his meal times

Ok thank you, that does reassure me as it was alarming to see him snap like that when he's normally so placid.
I forgot to say we are going away in a few weeks for a few nights and staying with friends who have an older dog, how should I manage this when we're with then?

Just don't feed him or treat him in the presence of another dog, as PP said, take him somewhere private.

I would feed completely separately from any other dogs, In a different room.

He sounds like such a good dog and if this is his only issue then just work around it.
you dont want to make him anxious around food and create another issue.

Ok thanks. The dog who was here today,hes stayed with him and his family a couple of times overnight and this dog is very not food orientated so I think my dog has eaten all his food as well as his own which I didn't know until it was mentioned today!

Thank you mrsfennel, he really is ever such a good and lovely dog.

I’d just explain to your friends that he’s shown some resource guarding around his food so you’ll either feed him at a separate time or in a different room.

you mentioned before about leaving his food down, I wouldn’t do that anyone, especially when there are other dogs around. 15 minutes to eat should be enough for him, then the food goes away until the next meal

Thank you yep I'm going to stop doing that. Also going to do 12.30 and 6pm for food and stick to it. Although if its not left down he might start wanting breakfast which would be easier.

Bump

It’s entirely normal and understandable, you just need to manage it as PP have said. Don’t worry! It doesn’t mean anything about your lovely dog. One of mine does it too, we’re just careful around food and other dogs.

Thank you, messed up again today as he had a treat when out near another dog, I really need to change my habits.

What was the 'bump' for? Did you not receive satisfactory advice?

Bumped in case anyone had any more advice, I'm happy to feed him somewhere separate but that doesn't feel like im getting to the root of the problem, just putting a sticking plaster on it.