Food Agression Part 2

[IRIE'S MAMA]

I recently posted in the thread about switching my dog to Canidae about how Irie USED to have a food agression problem. She has not had any issues for a long while, until last night. When I gave her her first bowl of her NEW food, she let out a little growl. One growl, she did get corrected, but I know that one growl is one too many. We have worked so hard w/ her on this, and thus far, she has done VERY well. At first, we would just walk by her and she would start to growl and chow even faster. By adding tasty treats to her food like cheese and bacon, she stopped b/c she realized that it was a "good thing" for us to be around. Irie DOES NOT GET FOOD FOR FREE. When the bowl gets put down, she will look at us and wait until we say OK. Sometimes we make her wait 5 minutes. This has ALWAYS been done. ALWAYS. Same with treats, bones, toys, etc. Anyway, It caught me off guard to hear a little growl last night. Tonight, she was fine I pet her the whole time and she ate nice and slow and did very well. NO GROWLING, NO AGRESSION. Why did she think for one minute that she could get away w/ that. Those of you out there who have in the past had food agression......has this happened where out of the blue it came back over a new food or treat?

[Burnsway]

Originally posted by IRIE'S MAMA
she will look at us and wait until we say OK. Sometimes we make her wait 5 minutes.

Doing a down and making her wait is great.......:D But five minutes a bit long....how old is she....Sorry I'm being clueless I don't remember....LOL!

Some dogs are harder on this then others. My chow mix was a bitch. But I was so young and didn't have the education I have now with her and just was careful and made sure that nothing bad come of it. But I have to say seeing so many dogs that have been lost, not rehomed over this. I had to stop and say How would Psyche act if a stranger approached her. Under supervised training I often react this scenerio with Psyche to make sure!!!!

She test me every great once in a while but not with a growl........LOL!!! We have passed that....Now it is posturing......its like a child, give them an inch they take a mile.....

Keep on top of it.......you will be fine...slack off......well we won't go there....

[Burnsway]

Oh and to answer other question,,,,,,,,,yes of course new goodies they will surface there demons.........LOL!!!!

[IRIE'S MAMA]

Originally posted by Burnsway


Doing a down and making her wait is great.......:D But five minutes a bit long....how old is she....Sorry I'm being clueless I don't remember....LOL!

:D LOL she doesn't always have to wait thaaaaat long and maybe it's not quite 5 minutes, but I'm sure it feels like eternity to her. I usually put her food in bowl mixed w/ warm water, put the bowl down, let it sit, fill her water bowl, wait a lil bit and give her the OK. Sometimes I say Ok right away. Irie is 8 1/2 months old. Maybe she is at that age where she is trying to TEST me....Well, I will TEST her right back ;)

[Burnsway]

Originally posted by IRIE'S MAMA



Irie is 8 1/2 months old. Maybe she is at that age where she is trying to TEST me....Well, I will TEST her right back ;)

EEWWWWWW I hate 8 months....roflmao

[Harleysmom]

I have never made Harley wait before he could eat his food. I am just wondering if that is something I should start doing? He will be 6 months on the 20th. When I feed him I do put my hand in his food and he will eat a few at a time out of my hand or just ignore my hand all together. I pet him while he eats. I make him give up bones and then I give them back. I even have my children do this with my supervision of course. Is making him wait something I should do? He does know leave it and wait.

[Mattweiser]

Originally posted by Harleysmom
Is making him wait something I should do? He does know leave it and wait.

I wouldn't start making him wait just for kicks...

if there is a problem, sur eit can help.. but if there is no problem, no reason to add extra work...

I started that with my boy when he was about 13 months (hmm) but I only did it because he was getting real pushy about food, like pushing my hand away while I wast trying to pour the food!

but like I said.. if is ain't broke, why fix it??

[halliebear]

Originally posted by Harleysmom
I have never made Harley wait before he could eat his food. I am just wondering if that is something I should start doing? He will be 6 months on the 20th. When I feed him I do put my hand in his food and he will eat a few at a time out of my hand or just ignore my hand all together. I pet him while he eats. I make him give up bones and then I give them back. I even have my children do this with my supervision of course. Is making him wait something I should do? He does know leave it and wait.

I would, I make both my dogs do this, not for "kicks" ;) it's just good manners. Katie is my dog with no food guarding issues, but she still sits and stays until I say okay. Hal does too. That way the dogs don't jump all over me when I have food. More importantly, it reinforces the fact that I am the boss - and the food comes from me for good behavior.

Halliebear

[Miabella]

My dogs have to sit and wait until I say OK. I start this from day one, because I can't stand having a dog stick his head in the bowl before I even put it down. Also, I think any opportunity for a dog to practice self-control is a good thing. :)

[IRIE'S MAMA]

I started doing this from day 1. There is nothing worse than a dog that "steals" food out of a childs hand, or a full grown adut for that matter. Not that Irie ever did that, but I never wanted her to even consider it. she also takes everthing out of my hand SO GENTLE. I believe that it is a great thing to do. Not everyone feels the same, but that's OK too.

[Harleysmom]

He does have pretty good manners. He doesn't jump at me when I bring his food. We have two dogs with a divided kennel and when I go get the food he runs to his side and patiently waits for me to come to his side. I always feed our female lab first. He only goes for it as soon as I set it down. I can definitely see the benefit of this as I know he is coming to an age of coming out so to speak. Nice to know your options. Thanks!:)

[godfreyc]

Making my youngest female wait until I released her to eat is how I got her to do a strong down. I don't do obedience trials or anything so she doesn't have to be perfect but now when she really wants something she drops like a rock :D My other female sits for everything she wants so this was refreshing they all take their position and wait until I give the go ahead to eat. Having said that my oldest male and female have food aggression problems with each other and no one else