[collegepitbull]

Well my pup has been around other dogs plenty of times and gets along great with all dogs. But I am recently home for break at my parents house who have two tibetin spaniels. I've noticed that my pup gets real defensive of food around them. She will get the mohawk and snap at them something I have NEVER seen her do before.

Just a few minutes ago I go to give all three dogs a treat. Azeni finishes hers in seconds and lunges and attacks one of the other dogs trying to get their treat. I pulled them apart and put her in the corner.

Now I was wondering who has experienced this and what they did to fix it? I need suggestions as come January I will be living with a friend with a much bigger dog. Cant have Azeni attempting attack any dog and espicially not one twice her size. Help!

 

[collegepitbull]

And she has zero aggresion to humans with grabbing food etc.

 

[cobismom]

Cobi, my seven year old, will do the same thing with Casie, whether it's his food or not, he isn't about to share food. If I give treats and Case doesn't get his right away, drops it, whatever, Cobi is right there after it. I separate the dogs to feed them, one is in the bathroom and the other in the kitchen. OR feed one and then kennel him, and then feed the other. Food is a basic need and instinct for dogs. I don't think there is a way to say, now share your treats, kids. I think it's a matter of being very careful with food around both dogs, and making sure that they are apart or separated when meal time comes. Other than that, I think you're right, nothing like a buffet table to give you new insight into where dogs learned food behaviors.

Cathy J

 

[Sephly]

Its a correctable problem! atleast we did, my dog had human food agression we dont know why, since we got him at 6 weeks, maybe there was just one big puppy food bowl and he had to fight for his share idk, but when we noticed the agression we quickly adressed it. I suggest putting down the bowl next to another dog if she shows agression take it away immediatly and then put it down after a few minutes again next to another dog and repeat until your dog understand that its only going to get food if he is calm near the other dog. Its going to take a few weeks but ours learned quickly that just because someone's hand is in his bowl or touching him when eating doesn't mean his food is going to go away or anything bad is going to happen. Good luck!

 

[Smeagle]

Its not really aggression as much as it is resource guarding which is incredibly common in many dogs. The main and practical solution is to ensure that you keep the dogs separated at feeding times. I'd also start a feeding program with your beagle that teaches her to sit and stay for her dinner, and she can only receive the 'ok' command to eat when she looks at you.

 

[collegepitbull]

Originally Posted By: SmeagleIts not really aggression as much as it is resource guarding which is incredibly common in many dogs. The main and practical solution is to ensure that you keep the dogs separated at feeding times. I'd also start a feeding program with your beagle that teaches her to sit and stay for her dinner, and she can only receive the 'ok' command to eat when she looks at you.

They eat at different times so thats not what worries me. Its if we give them treats or even if a peice of food drops to the ground.

I have her sit and leave it untill I get the ok command right now. I think I am just gonna try giving them food together and if she is not aggressive keep rewarding her!

 

[Smeagle]

Originally Posted By: Collegepitbull
They eat at different times so thats not what worries me. Its if we give them treats or even if a peice of food drops to the ground.

I have her sit and leave it untill I get the ok command right now. I think I am just gonna try giving them food together and if she is not aggressive keep rewarding her!

Its still resource guarding if they are fighting over food, whether that be their dinner or a treat.

I would absolutely not recommend feeding them together if she has already displayed resource guarding - you don't want her to give her any chance to exhibit the behaviour because it may escalate if she sees that she is successful in getting her own way (i.e. she gets the food).

I would suggest reading this article and implementing this program, step by step. The way I use triangle of temptation means that my dogs look to me for permission when it comes to eating. If food drops on the ground, they wait for it. If I have all three dogs in the kitchen when I am chopping up food, I feed them in turns and tell them all to sit and stay whilst I give them their 'treat'. You can also teach the dogs that the first one to sit will be the first one to get the food - no matter of any pecking order you have - which gets them in the habit of sitting instantly when food comes out.

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