two words...Food Aggression

[DoggGuy]

My pup is only 10 weeks old and he will eat all his food and then start in on my dobies. He growls at her and lunges when she tried to eat from her bowl. He really is aggressive when it comes to food. they romp and play fine all the rest of the time but not during meals. How can i break this habit of his I have tried everything, seperating them during meals, feeding at alternate times how can i get him to stay out of her food and not be so snap happy?

[SarasMom]

Put puppy in his crate to eat, then Dobe can eat in peace too. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[WorkinDogz]

There is a very simple solution to dog-on-dog food aggression. Always feed the dogs seperately (in crates or in different rooms; behind closed doors) and have DESIGNATED MEAL TIMES.

The pup needs 3 meals daily for awhile; the adult dog only requires 2. "Free Feeding" is undesirable for many reason. The dogs learn that meal time only lasts for a short time; and they really should eat it before it's picked up; not to be seen again until the NEXT meal time.

Dogs shouldn't have to fight for their food...they aren't in the wild any longer.

[2RottieMom]

I definately agree with WorkinDogz. I have a 3 1/2 year old (female) and an almost 5 month old (male)- both rotties. They get fed at the same time but the puppy goes in his crate to eat. The only problem I have is sometimes the little one will leave some food in his bowl and I will catch Gypsy sneaking in his crate to eat it.

[ragosa]

DoggGuy,
No matter what someone may say to you, some dogs are just not meant to eat together. My two cannot eat together, I do not even attempt to force something so very unnatural onto them. There are Rotties who can, I consider that rare and somewhat special. Relax, allow them to relax and feed the two seperatly as everyone has suggested. It is no big deal and you all will then be a happy family. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Echowe]

Both my 2 year old male and 6 month old female eat together with a cat eating between them. They all learn to respect others while eating and not try to eat from other's bowl. The dogs always wait till the cat finishes before cleaning his plate. My male finishes first and would leave while the female slowly eats her. Sometimes she gets distracted but my male knows not to eat hers. Some dogs can't eat together. So find the best way for you. The only thing I would be concern is if he shows food aggression toward people. I would definitley correct. You should be able to remove his food any time. That goes with his toys or chewys....

[Monika Malow]

One of mine eats one side and the other on the opposite side of the eating area off the kitchen. Max gulps his food then waits behind Mia for her to finish so he can clean her bowl.(she eats slow and chews her food) There has never been any aggression or fights. They both eat their raw knuckle bones side by side on a quilt in the living room- again no fights. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif they just are best buds!

[love2rotts]

When we first got Lucy at 6 months she had terrible food aggression. I had to feed her out of my lap continually petting her until finally she stopped growling. It really didn't take long, she's very smart. And the issue of the older dog, same thing. I just scoldered her and sent her away until Dolly was done eating. Now I just have to say her name and she turns the other way. (Also, there is the respect issue between the dogs, my younger one learned pretty quick who's the boss).

Best of luck. Keep on correcting it'll get through. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[WorkinDogz]

Dogguy;

You may have a bigger problem than food aggression brewing (based on your post in "is your Rottie afraid of anything" as well as this one.)

There is a bit of early evidence of dog aggression in what you have described. His reaction to the "big dogs" and his willingness to engage in fence fighting, coupled with his food aggression is raising some red flags that I hope you'll take seriously.

Just thought I'd bring your attention to this if you didn't already identify the potential problem yourself. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif