| Re: shock collar
It baffles me that he's been fine with you futzing with his food, but now he sounds as tho he'd take your hand off if you put it near his bowl. My girls are ferocious to the point of savergy with other dogs around their food bowls, but as our 2 girls and foster boy all eat in separate rooms of the house, it's not a problem. Our dogs have never had a problem with any human around their food (fact is, they think if a human comes over to their bowl, a treat is coming their way). But, as they're 5 yo & 6 yo, I don't futz or bother them or do anything to them while they're eating. I put down their food, pat them on their ear once or twice or the top of their heads, and walk away.
I don't share your reluctance about feeding him in his crate "because [you] want him to feel comfortable with people walking near him while he eats." It's obvious he doesn't feel comfortable and if you do the same old thing, you'll get the same old thing. How many people are there in your home, coming and going when he eats that this is such a concern?? Crate him and leave him alone.
The reason he was fine with you feeding him from your hand (ie, no growling) but growled when you put the bowl on the floor was because the food in your hand was yours, the food in his bowl on the floor was his. By growling he was warning you away from "his" stuff.
If this is the only fault your dog has, I'd let him be. Feed him in his crate. Let him eat in peace.  |