i think i created food aggression in gwen

dane&cockermom · 07-09-2008, 08:00 PM

because i'd been told "she'll eat when she's hungry" "put the food down, and 20 min take it up, if she doesn't eat, then she doesn't eat, don't give in and give her something else"

well, she's finally, (kinda) eating. she'll eat about half of it, then walk away. then buddy will make his way to her food and she'll get up and run to her food, get between him and the food, and growl at him. so it's like she's protecting it, but won't eat it...

ok...so now what?

GreatDaneMom · 07-09-2008, 08:17 PM

hmm thats interesting.... im going to have to think a little bit on that one.

rosemaryninja · 07-09-2008, 09:02 PM

Have you tried feeding them in their crates?

dane&cockermom · 07-09-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosemaryninja

Have you tried feeding them in their crates?

buddy we fed in his crate when he was on kennel rest. but at that time, i also moved his crate out into the living room so he could be close to us. and now it's back in the second bedroom with gwen's. and there's no way gwen would eat in her kennel. it's been hard enough getting her to eat outside her kennel. lol

RawFedDogs · 07-09-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dane&cockermom

well, she's finally, (kinda) eating. she'll eat about half of it, then walk away. then buddy will make his way to her food and she'll get up and run to her food, get between him and the food, and growl at him. so it's like she's protecting it, but won't eat it...

ok...so now what?

Her getting between Buddy and the food and growling is a natural behavior in a dog. I wouldn't worry about it as long as Buddy respects the growl and moves away.

I think it would be a good idea to take the food up and put it away once she moves away from it like she is finished. I don't leave food laying around for that very reason.

dane&cockermom · 07-10-2008, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RawFedDogs

Her getting between Buddy and the food and growling is a natural behavior in a dog. I wouldn't worry about it as long as Buddy respects the growl and moves away.

I think it would be a good idea to take the food up and put it away once she moves away from it like she is finished. I don't leave food laying around for that very reason.

ok.

usually she'll eat some, take like a 5 min. break, then go back. but i guess taking it away right away will show he she needs to eat it all. and yeah, buddy respects it.

alphadoginthehouse · 07-10-2008, 05:53 PM

Daja is a new addition (2 mos now). Both Butch and Roxxy won't let Daja near their food (she inhales hers). This has taught them to eat their food when it's given (I must admit I didn't always take it up right away if they left it). Butch is a pushover with Roxxy...she will go eat his because he likes to take a couple of pieces into the living room (I know my fault). But now he eats it at his bowl. Roxxy is so busy making sure that Daja doesn't get to hers, that she doesn't bother Butch.

Guess Daja is good for something after all.

I wouldn't worry about the growling either so long as it doesn't end up in a fight.