New Puppy Food Aggression
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oops i meant to post a different pic   |
| I don't appreciate resource guarding EITHER. But, dogs are dogs and you really can't blame him for wanting to eat his dinner in peace. Suggest you feed him where other dog can't bother him, BUT, hang out with him, have a nice little supply of tasty tidbits and periodically drop something good into his dish. This is to reinforce that YOU being near the bowl is actually a good thing. Some times pick it up, put something good in there and then put the dish back down for him. That's the abbreviated version. Important thing is that he not resource guard when it comes to humans. Resource guarding when being stared at by drooling canine companion is not pleasant in human terms, but kind of understandable between dogs. By removing the need to guard his food (from the other dog) you avoid reinforcing/practicing the undesirable behavior. Correcting him could backfire. That said, I correct my guys... I correct the one who doesn't understand that hovering over another dog's food or bone or whatever will cause other dog to become defensive which WILL get me irritated if I have to get involved and will get them tossed out of the room. A dog who tries to resource guard ME (Becky!) from the other dogs gets a time out for her efforts. Exhausted so not sure if any of the above makes sense, but hopefully others can expand on the basic thoughts. Cute puppy! Congratulations  Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: Suggest you feed him where other dog can't bother him...By removing the need to guard his food (from the other dog) you avoid reinforcing/practicing the undesirable behavior. Correcting him could backfire. Kristine Your puppy is adorable! Kristine's advice rocks. Maybe also separately teach the 5-year-old dog the "leave it" command. Once learned and spoken to the dog, she/he will (ought to) "leave" food, a dog, awful things on the ground, etc. and look to you for reward. I highly recommend a division of space. My Madison was age 10 when we got 8-week-old Emma. Here is how we raised the infant while respecting the adult: ~ Mealtimes = Puppy in crate, and adult ate on the other side of the same room. When finished, food bowls were picked up. ~ Nighttime and while alone in the house = Puppy lounging in crate, and adult lounging gated in the same room. So, both were together, but in such a way that they could bond without either annoying the other. ~ Also, during the day, I spent time with each one alone--training, playing, etc.--and then with the two together--walks, supervised playtime, etc. The puppy, though somewhat more dominant, looked up to her adult friend and learned from her. It was a lot of fun. Have fun with yours! Their developing interactions will give you wonderful memories. |
| Yes, Kristine's advice is right on. You have two issues both resource guarding. First feed the imp away from older dog. I'd try to keep them in the same room but you in between. Even when we had 7 feeding at once, one of the uprights was there to make sure nobody snuck into another's bowl. A quick reprimand was enough. If same room doesn't work, separate rooms, maybe on in crate??? Later work them back to the same room. The second is the imp's plan to keep you out of his bowl. Not good. Jack never got over this as he arrived with severe resource guarding, especially food. But we worked it out to where he'd trade his bowl for something yummy. So start young, use Kristine's technique of teaching the pup food is your gift and you control the food and dish. Your instincts are right, you are the one in charge. Both dogs might need instruction on dining manners. Your oldsters is having to learn as well. |
| what Kristine, and others, said and I believe dogs have a right to eat in peace. That to me means not having to worry about another dog wanting their food. I have no resource guarding issues but always feed dogs in separate areas. I have a baby gate I simply draw across hallway dividing the kitchen from the den. If dogs worry about other dogs encroaching and even possibly taking their food from them, they may learn to gulp their food down quickly and you definitely don't want that to become a habit. It only seems fair to allow them their own space during feeding times. but resource guarding from HUMANS is never, ever allowed. Kristine's ideas for working on that issue are sound. The quicker you address this the better off all of you will be. These things tend to escalate fairly quickly if one does nothing. Best of luck. Linda Zimmerman |
| Thanks guys! I have started feeding him in crate and keeping the weim, Jersey, in a stay on her bed or on the floor nearby. I want him to be ok w/proximity but to your point i completely agree that he should be able to eat in relative peace I pet him, touch his paws, pet his tummy, stroke his ears and put my fingers in his bowl and also move the bowl from time to time, this seems to be working he is definitely much less "guardy" (i like making up words... ) This forum is fantastic, you should all be really proud of your advice and help and know how much it helps new owners!!! |
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