Aggression with Food
I just found this board and am enjoying reading all this great information. Thanks. Lynda |
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| Welcome, Lynda
I did a search here at the forum, and here are a few posts that I found: http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?p=12 ... ssion#1253 http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?p=30 ... ssion#3033 I'm not a trainer or a behaviorist, and dog aggression is probably the toughest issue facing a dog owner who has young children, and I'm sure others will post suggestions for you too. Personally, I'd make your puppy earn EVERYTHING. Sit at the door. Humans out the door before dog. Want a treat, obey a command. Leash always on. Never at equal heights, never in bed with you, and so on. Puppy always eats LAST, especially after your daughter. Personally, I'd keep your daughter away from your dog, while ensuring this isn't seen as your daughter being inferior to the puppy. Once you have dominance and your sheepie respects you and your daughter, everyone will be a lot happier. Good luck! |
| Thanks for the quick reply I will be working on this issue. |
| my oes walter is also food aggressive, we havent been able to stop the behavior so we decided at least to prevent it.
if you do not have a crate i suggest getting one and feeding your sheepie in there. make him sit and stay while you put the food down, give him 15 minutes in the crate then make him sit and stay while you pick the food up. this wont fix the problem but it will surely avoid any more problems in the mean time. good luck! |
| Lennon had the same problem when Sofi came along: http://forum.oes.org/viewtopic.php?t=747
the main thing is like Ron said, puppy must earn everything. Alpha dogs tend to think that everything is granted and that they deserve everything, so a reality check is in order 
First thing we did with Lennon was to show who's boss. My wife and I started feeding him bits from the plate (Keep the plate high on one of your hands) so he could eat from our hand. Do that for a few days and puppy will get the message, you are the food provider and you decide when and what to feed. Then make shure puppy understands that feeding time is the only time food is available, if he does not eat for after 20 minutes, take the food away and try in a few hours. (Remember, water should always be available plenty) About the baby, best thing to do for now is to keep her away from the dog while eating. They'll be safer that way. Later you may try have your baby hand feed the puppy from time to time... One last thing. Always eat something before puppy does. If you're not hungry, pretending you eat from the plate works wonders for them. Sofi did not eat until we pretended to eat from the plate (I guess she needs and alpha to eat first). Hope this advise is helpful. |
| All wonderful advice given so far and here's another that I've found really is helpful in overcoming food agression. The pup is dependent on you for food and I would occasionally pick up his bowl for a minute..play with his food, take a kibble out and return it. The pup eventually clues in that you are the Alpha and not he and will cease to be "food possessive". Try it, it works just be careful you don't get bitten and you may have to hold on to the dogs collar while removing the food to prevent this from happening. Pick up the bowl...take out a kibble or two ..then return it. Eventually you will be able to stick your hand in the foodbowl without the dog ever growling or demonstrating inappropriate behavior.
Good Luck! Marianne |
| Hi Lynda,
How's it going? Any news for us? |
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