aggressive over milk bone
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| The minute I have ever had any on the dogs turn on me when I try to take something from them I Stand my ground (try to look menacing - there are so many theories about how to do this) and just yell at them. A sharp Hey usually snaps them out of it. they need to know its unacceptable. I also pick up their food dishes when they are eating occassionally to make it clear I control the food.
There is a book (Jean Donaldson I think) callled MINE! about resource guarding - you should look into that. Now on my joke theme for the day - from dogs when asked "How many dogs does it take to put in a light bulb?" Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb? Border Collie: Just one. And I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code. Dachshund: I can't reach the stupid lamp! Toy Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry. Rottweiler: Go Ahead! Make me! Shi-tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. Let the servants. . . . Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I? Malamute: Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark. Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch. Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark. Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Irish Wolfhound: Can somebody else do it? I've got a hangover. Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there... Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares? Australian Shepherd: Put all the light bulbs in a little circle... Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb? Some of them are Hoovers!!!! |
(thanks for the Friday morning laugh!!!!!!) |
| Can you explain better what "turned on me" means? Did she growl? Bare teeth? Bite? Is it possible you surprised her and she acted out of fear? Five months old is pretty early for that kind of behavior-- not say it couldn't happen but it's definitely a serious issue that needs to stop before it gets out of hand and she can inflict some serious damage.
I think a better solution to a muzzle is constant supervision and replacing what she can't have with what she can have. Not only will it be safer for her (and easier on your wallet since you won't be paying vet bills), it'll help her associate good things when you reach for something that's in her mouth. In other words, if she has an acorn, tell her to drop it and exchange it for a toy or something she can munch on that's safe. Soon, she'll get to the point where all it'll take is the "drop it" command. It is possible to do even with a young dog. I'm working on the barter system with my 3 month old right now except he doesn't chew stuff, he chews me! |
| that Jean Donaldson book is great. Luna is a guarder, and that book had some great tips. It really helped us alot. |
| Thanks Kerry,that is what i did i was so shocked i did really yell at her and kept the bone till a while later, ill have to try taking her dish away didnt do this yet,Donna :o |
| Taking the dish away while she is eating can be tricky. What I did was sit on the floor and hand feed the dog from the dish. It worked. |
| I have a little different problem. Toby joined my older male Charlie about a year ago. For about 4 months they were sorting out the dominance thing. A couple of spats, a couple of nicks. Finally, at the beginning of summer Toby decided Charlie was going to be top dog (with a little help from Charlie's labrador alpha female partner from next door) and became subordinate, even a bit fauning in the way he now licks Charlie's neck and cheek. The only problem I have now is a recent one, at meal time.
They used to eat side by side with no problem, but then about a month ago Charlie decided he had a right to any food bowl. When that started I began feeding Toby in the kitchen where Charlie couldn't see him while he ate. But now, Charlie has taken to wolfing down his food and then rushing into the other room to shove Toby aside with a growl and take any Toby hasn't finished. Toby backs away and lets him have it but then goes to Charlie's bowl, to see if there is anything left-- which Charlie hears and then runs back to claim it too. It's like dog bowl derby if I let them, as they run back and forth trying to get the last crumb out of the other's bowl. Neither dog guards his food from my wife or I, or any human for that matter, but Charlie has gotten to be such a greedy pig about trying to get to Toby's bowl at dinner time, he clearly isn't enjoying his own meal. And now I have to stand by so Toby can finish his meal. Except for the selfishness this hasn't turned into any kind of aggressiveness or fight-- and won't I think. But I have been unable to convince Charlie that not all dog bowls are his. |
| You need to have separate areas for them both to eat.
I don't have food issues between mine - mostly I'm sure because they don't have the opportunity to do the kind of behavior that you are describing. Crate them for meals, or at least put them in different rooms. Let each of them each eat in peace, pick up the bowls when they are done and you have just eliminated the behavior.  |
got sheep wrote: You need to have separate areas for them both to eat.
I don't have food issues between mine - mostly I'm sure because they don't have the opportunity to do the kind of behavior that you are describing. Crate them for meals, or at least put them in different rooms. Let each of them each eat in peace, pick up the bowls when they are done and you have just eliminated the behavior. that's what we do as well. everyone should have some peace at mealtimes  |
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