This is Bonnie. She’s just over a year old, and food is her life! And I mean her whole life. I like to think I’m more important, but who am I kidding?
So why are Labradors always hungry? And what can you do to take their mind off food for a few minutes?
Well, there’s actually a logical answer to the first question. It’s fondly referred to as the ‘greedy gene’. And when it comes to the second, I’m going to explain why I think Bonnie’s food motivation is one of her best attributes.
We’ll also look at a few issues that can arise with greedy dogs, and what you can do to avoid or resolve them. Issues such as
- Eating too fast
- Eating too much
- Begging for food
- Getting overweight
The Greedy Gene
In 2016 a team of scientists in Cambridge UK revealed that they had discovered a mutation in a gene. And that this gene was associated with Labradors that had an increased appetite, increased body fat, and higher body weight.
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The gene was also found in some Flat Coated Retrievers, a breed that’s quite closely related to Labs.
Not all Labs have this gene. And it’s more common in Labs that are bred for assistance work. But if you think your dog is obsessed with food and always hungry, this gene might well be the reason.
Eating Too Fast
Dogs with a very high motivation for food are inclined to eat very fast. There are a couple of problems associated with this. One is that the dog gets very little enjoyment from their food because its over so quickly. The other is that rapid eating has in some studies been linked to bloat. You can read more about this, in this article about ways to slow down your dog’s eating speed
Begging For Food
Having a large dog staring at their plate for the duration of their meal is not to everyone’s liking. Especially when long strands of glistening drool start to dangle from the corners of said dog’s mouth, and make their way towards the floor.
Fortunately begging is fixable and you can train your dog not to beg by putting a bed or basket near your table and throwing treats in there while you eat. Over time you can reduce the number of treats, and move the basket further from the table.
The same applies to dogs that try to ‘help’ while you are loading the dishwasher.
Eating Too Much
If you are worried that your dog is eating too much, then they probably are.
And when you have a dog like a Labrador that is so food motivated, it’s really important that you step in and decide how much they should eat. Rather than relying on your dog’s appetite in any way at all.
We’ll talk about that in a bit more detail, but first here’s why it matters so much
Obesity In Labradors
Obesity is a major health issue in dogs and especially in large dogs like Labs that are prone to joint problems as they age.
Many Labradors are overweight, and that greedy gene does have a part to play. But its only one of two factors that make Labradors fat
To become overweight a dog needs both a big appetite, and access to food. And you have control over your dog’s access to food.
Managing Your Dog’s Food Intake
Fortunately, our dog’s can be prevented from accessing food and obesity can be reversed in your dog quite quickly. It’s all about managing your dog’s food intake.
I usually recommend reducing your dog’s food intake by a third for a few days, and then reassess their body condition. And you can find out exactly how to do that in this article about helping an overweight Labrador.
And now for the good part. Here’s why you should embrace and welcome your dog’s greedy gene.
The Benefits Of A Food Motivated Dog
It’s probably not a coincidence that assistance dogs are more likely to have the greedy gene. These are dogs that need to be trained to a high level and have been selectively bred for their cooperative and trainable traits.
Some of the most challenging dogs I have trained have been dogs with low motivation for food. You know the type. They’ll eat half a bowl and then walk off and leave the rest for the cat, while remaining so skinny that all your friends think you starve them.
I had an Irish Setter like this. Running was his thing. He wouldn’t get out of bed for breakfast, but pull on your sneakers and reach for a leash and he was at the door ready to go.
Labradors inhabit another world. And their conviction that each meal might be their last can be turned to your advantage.
A Labrador is always ready to train. You don’t need to wait until their last meal is a distant memory. You can train right after lunch if you want to. Maybe let their dinner go down for an hour or so, but they’ll be willing to earn treats night and day.
(paid link)Training for a few minutes at a time, at regular intervals throughout the day is the secret to a well-behaved dog. This is far more important than people realise. If you’d like some tips and information on training, do join my training tips email list. And also my Dogsnet Facebook Group
It’s true that Labradors are intelligent and easy to train. But it’s that awesome food motivation that helps to get you there so quickly with a Lab. It makes the whole training journey smoother and more fun.
So don’t knock your dog’s greedy gene. Just put some of that food in a treat bag and teach your dog a new trick or two!
The Labrador Site Founder
Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.
She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program
Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website
Our Lab is 6 months old and he is crazy and Lazer focused on everything food, he suspects that other non food items may also contain food. I try the leave it routine with little success and it seems to be more noticeable around my wife. My question is, does it affect labs mentally. I love my Rocky but he is off the chain. My third black male and the most challenging.
the last 52 years we have had 4 purebred labs 2 lab chessy crosses 1 lab malamute cross .1 pure bred chesapeake. the first dog was a lab chessy cross and was always hungry we stopprd that by throwing out all the rules and vet ideas on how to feed the dog 1.5 cups 2 times a day we just filled it up when it was empty and kept doing that after about 4 full dishes he got sick. after that i we just kept the dish full and he seemed to know that there was always food in his dish and he cut back on his own. since then every dog we have ever got has always had a full dish and when there hungry they eat and when they are not they wont even our lab malamute cross on her hungriest time only ate a dish full in 1 day and a full dish was 3 cups. we never used food as a training tool just kept repeating with praise it seemed to work just fine and the dogs were not looking for a treat afterwards. we dont have any dogs left any more cause we are getting to old but we sure miss our labs the best friends and dogs anyone could ask for
My male black lab is always hungry. I Can’t cut his food anymore he only gets 1 3/4 cups a day. I will give him no salt green beans, apple slices, raw asparagus and carrots from time to time. He also has diabetes insidious and takes meds twice a day. He just turned 7 and its become more difficult to keep the weight off. I’m considering a treadmill. I told my vet I feel awful because he always seems to be starving…he was not much help. His reply was… He probably is. Really? Thanks Dr. Obvious. When he was a puppy he craved water due to his kidney issue. Thousands of dollars, several years and three vet clinics later they figured it out. Now this food craving thing seems to keep getting worse. And one of the side effects of his meds is weight gain. I’m open to suggestions. I want him to live a long, healthy happy life but the odds keep stacking up against him.
My laboratory is always hungry. She has been from the puppy stage. This is our third black lab and this dog is different. She sweet, loving, is a good dog in training but steals food off of kitchen counters, dining tables and out of our hands. No amount of training has For this has helped. We feel so bad for her. She is always searching for food.
I’m in the same position I have a 6 month old lab and she is constantly looking for food..counter tops, hands, stove, tables,…she seems to be constantly hungry…I’ve tried fresh vegetables and little chicken..changing her food…I’ve tried giving her more water less food…I don’t know what to do she’s seems to think she’s starving and She’s not…she’s 65 lbs now and healthy but she keeps this up she’ll be overweight before 9months..help someone I don’t know what to do and I feel so bad for her..
Is there any way of choosing a lab without this gene?