Food Aggression Dogs
Food aggression with other dogs?
I want to get a puppy soon, but I’ve noticed lately that my 3.5-year-old female mix is food aggressive with other dogs (not people). She’ll growl and snap if a dog gets too close to her bowls or tries to take her food, and if treats are being given out, she tries to get them all and growls at other dogs nearby. She wasn’t always like this, and she’s usually pretty submissive.
I heard that Cesar Milan (Dog Whisperer) recommends feeding the calm dog (puppy) first to show the other dog what you want and so that the food-aggressive dog will not feel as protective since the other one already ate. Has anyone tried this or other techniques? We have a trainer but haven’t gotten to this issue yet.
So am I supposed put the eating dog in a room by itself or the waiting one in a room alone? Or just keep an eye on them? I definitely want to get this resolved before I introduce a puppy.
Work with your trainer on this. Your dog needs to learn proper treat manners BEFORE puppy arrives.
As for regular meals, feed them separately. Make sure they do not interfere with each other. You’d get testy too if someone was always hanging around hoping to snatch YOUR dinner.
You do NOT feed the puppy first, that undermines the older dog’s position and makes her more likely to feel that she needs to defend it.
Aggressive dog training and aggression rehab tips (www.k9-1.com)