Food aggressive dogs...

Jayhawkk

Jayhawkk

Legend
My 10 month old puppy loses his mind if he's messed with while eating anything he likes. If it's just regular treats or plain dogfood he's fine but mix an egg with it or throw in real meat and he'll get in cujo mode. I've worked on getting him better butafter a couple of months I cant rid him of this problem. Now here's the question...

Is this something that can be disrupted or is it something some breeds will have regardless?
 
Not knowing to much about dog specifically I would say that it is going to be in the nature to act territorial while eating a meal they enjoy. In there mind its a fresh kill and they have to get it before any other dog does, but with normal food he knows it is constantly there. You could always really work on conditioning him by rewarding him by giving him more of the food once he has calmed down (if you take it away first). I would not punish him for acting this way because it could increase the behavior if he believes you are taking away his meal. Finally make sure he knows you are the Alpha dog of the house and what you do goes.
 
That's the weird thing, he does recognize his place in the pack in all other situations. He never leaves my side and when he does get punished for something he accepts it and doesn't struggle with it, like when I first had him.
 
Thanks TP but he only becomes aggressive when he eats for a little bit first. I can have my hands all in the food (when I mix the egg with his hard dog food) and he is fine but when I leave him to it and come back is when the problem happens.
 
It can be fixed, at least according to some Dog Show I watched on Animal Planet where this boxer had the same problem. However, I have two dogs, a girl named Lucy and a boy named Spencer, both are labs. Spencer grew up social as all get out, whereas, Lucy, hates other dogs, other then Spencer. Spencer approaches strangers with curiosity and Lucy see's them as danger. Lucy turns into a WOLF if she's eating something she really likes and you step close, especially if Spencer gets close. She keeps her mouth on the food, but she looks at you with these evil little eyes and starts growling like the chick on the exercist. But apart from that, she's the more affectionate dog in private situations, compared to Spencer, even though Spencer is the over-all nicer dog.

With Lucy, we started doing the whole Pavlov's Dog conditioning, if she started to growl, we'd talk her down like you would when you're house training the dog. She's gotten better, but she still has her wolf moments. I don't know if it's so much breed as it is personality. If she is receiving good treats regularly, she doesn't get defensive about her food, but if there's been a dry spell of no treats and she finally gets one, then there's a greater probability that she turns WOLF.

Your dog at 10 months, should theoretically, be "easier" to condition, but again, in my personal experience, it's been a case of personality, rather then breed.
 
Might want to try your local dog shelter. The dogs they take in if they have this problem they try to work it out of them before they allow them to be adopted, maybe they would be willing to share how they try and do it.
 
I got him from the shelter and he was real nasty when I first got him. That was one of the resons I got him because he was going to be put down. He is a very loyal and loving pet but has a couple of issues. Besides this issue he gets aggressive with bigger dogs. I was out walking him yesterday and a guy came by with a English Mastiff and Niko nipped at his neck but I was able to pull him back before he made contact and this dog was showing no signs of aggression towards me or him to warrant that response.
 
Jayhawkk said:
I got him from the shelter and he was real nasty when I first got him. That was one of the resons I got him because he was going to be put down. He is a very loyal and loving pet but has a couple of issues. Besides this issue he gets aggressive with bigger dogs. I was out walking him yesterday and a guy came by with a English Mastiff and Niko nipped at his neck but I was able to pull him back before he made contact and this dog was showing no signs of aggression towards me or him to warrant that response.
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Wow, Im surprised they let you adopt him. I have 2 dogs one we bought from pet store then 1 year later we adopted from the local shelter. When we adopted the 2nd dog they they made go through quite a bit to do it.
 
I had to go through a lot and it helped that I live alone with no other animals and have a history at that shelter for adopting animals.
 
tattoopierced1 said:
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I do what cesar says

Before I feed my big one he is a maniac and I just stand there with his bowl and look at him... doesnt take him long to realize he has to sit and be calm before I put it down. If he dives in like a maniac I take it from him and make him calm down again. Once he is calm I can do anything to him while hes eating.

He used to growl when I'd go near his food. I basically would force him down on the ground in front of his bowl and sit on him until he relaxed. While i had him down I would hold his hind quarters and keep my hands on him. After he got slamme down a few times he stopped growling. Simply have to reaffirm that you're the boss.

If its an aggressive breed dog you really have to be smart about everything you do when they are puppies or it gets harder to break. I got mine from a rescue at 1 yr, he was also abused so I had a tough time breaking him.
 
Thanks Usf, it has been a lot of hard work so far but well worth it. I hate the idea of animals being put down, though I realize sometimes it has to happen.
 
Jayhawkk said:
Thanks Usf, it has been a lot of hard work so far but well worth it. I hate the idea of animals being put down, though I realize sometimes it has to happen.
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Definitely an admirable trait on your part. I know for a fact if I hadn't adopted my big dobie he would have been put down. He was quite vicious when I got him. He's a little (big) lamb now.

I spent a significant amount of time sitting on him and/or holding his mouth shut to stop nipping and other behavioral issues. I dont think I could get him to bite/nip or even growl at me if I tried.
 
Usf97j4x4 said:
I do what cesar says

Before I feed my big one he is a maniac and I just stand there with his bowl and look at him... doesnt take him long to realize he has to sit and be calm before I put it down. If he dives in like a maniac I take it from him and make him calm down again. Once he is calm I can do anything to him while hes eating.

He used to growl when I'd go near his food. I basically would force him down on the ground in front of his bowl and sit on him until he relaxed. While i had him down I would hold his hind quarters and keep my hands on him. After he got slamme down a few times he stopped growling. Simply have to reaffirm that you're the boss.

If its an aggressive breed dog you really have to be smart about everything you do when they are puppies or it gets harder to break. I got mine from a rescue at 1 yr, he was also abused so I had a tough time breaking him.
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Yikes, talk about asserting who's the alpha male. I guess we forget how some animals need that more then others. Dogs do behave better the more they realize who the top dog is. Whoever spends the MOST time with Spencer (overtime), feeding, walking, playing, "FEEDING" the more he obeys that particular person. He waits and goes to that person when they come home and primarily sits at their feet or requires their attention.
 
Niko is my buddy and I like to give him meals that are real instead of straight dog food all the time. I suppose it would be the answer but i'd rather put up with that one bad habit then not give him real food from time to time.
 
Usf97j4x4 said:
Definitely an admirable trait on your part. I know for a fact if I hadn't adopted my big dobie he would have been put down. He was quite vicious when I got him. He's a little (big) lamb now.

I spent a significant amount of time sitting on him and/or holding his mouth shut to stop nipping and other behavioral issues. I dont think I could get him to bite/nip or even growl at me if I tried.
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Gotta love dobes.. I had 2 (1 male 1 female), but only have the female now.. they are such great dogs.
 
Jayhawkk said:
Niko is my buddy and I like to give him meals that are real instead of straight dog food all the time. I suppose it would be the answer but i'd rather put up with that one bad habit then not give him real food from time to time.
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I love giving my dog meats and fish. A strange favorite of his is frozen salmon. He loves frozen fish of all kind, but frozen salmon steaks is his "thing."
 
Jayhawkk said:
Niko is my buddy and I like to give him meals that are real instead of straight dog food all the time. I suppose it would be the answer but i'd rather put up with that one bad habit then not give him real food from time to time.
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Here's how I see it. I love giving my dogs treats and human food also. But what happens when I'm at a park and a little girl comes up to pet them. They do fine until she drops her ice cream cone; she goes to pick it up and bam, dog bite. There's a dead dog.

It's not worth it. You should be able to love your dog and make him happy without giving him people food.
 
That would be a bad situation but since I do recognize his issues i'm able to avoid those situations. I don't allow any children to get close to him if they have food of any kind. Kids and people in general always want to pet him because he is a very cute dog.
 
I'm just saying, it can happen. I wouldn't take 1/1000 chance with my dogs' lives. It's up to you, though.
 
He's such a cute kid
 

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thats a nice dog, I have 3 Yorkshires so....they get all hardcore when they see a bigger one, its funny lol. they are the size of my foots!

one of them used to bite at our feet when she was eating, or growl. Well one day I picked up a fly swatter and walked by on purpose. she hasn't done it to me since.... I love my puppies, but I wont let them act like a wild animal.
 
When I first got him, he was baaad! He has a growl that sends shivers down my spine because it sounds like a wolf and has a very deep bark. I've broke him of a lot of bad habits so far and still have work to do but moreso on a training level than anything. Working on leash training at the moment.
 
Jayhawkk said:
When I first got him, he was baaad! He has a growl that sends shivers down my spine because it sounds like a wolf and has a very deep bark. I've broke him of a lot of bad habits so far and still have work to do but moreso on a training level than anything. Working on leash training at the moment.
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I waited too long to implement leash training, now my dog is an elderly 11 years old and he walks me when we go out. Actually, its not as bad as it used to be. He's old and frail now, so his tug power is diminished, but when he was young and vigorous, Hey-Suse it was a pain.
 
Just control the food source. My puppy only eats three times a day, and then only when he responds to a command: Sit, stay, rollover, whatever it may be. In nature, he would not get to consume any food until the Alpha or Elder members of the pack ate first. By just handing your dog food, you're saying "Here, you are the Alpha Male". It needs to start young, IMO; if a dog is to be obedient, he has to experience very strict discipline from a young age. I have had several dogs, ranging from Bulldogs, to Pits, to this tiny Yorkie x Chihuahua, and I start discipline early every time. IMO, this doesn't take away from the experience of owning a dog!
 
Possessive behavior is one of the most important things to combat in any dog, aggressive or not.

Jayhawkk said:
Niko is my buddy and I like to give him meals that are real instead of straight dog food all the time. I suppose it would be the answer but i'd rather put up with that one bad habit then not give him real food from time to time.
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Jay, that is not a big deal but a few tips:
- Don't prepare his meals or feed him in your kitchen b/c chances are he associates the kitchen with where your food is which may cause him to think he's getting the same food you get which puts you two on the same level. You need to be on top. I do this for my dog on occasion but I will take it out of the fridge and set it on the counter before its time for him to eat, this way he doesnt even see me getting it out of the fridge as he knows fridge is "people food only" Then I will prepare it in another room where I ultimately feed him. I also don't keep treats in the kitchen.

- When you're giving him the food make him do something to get it, I just make mine sit. I don't even have to say it, he knows to eat he has to sit first. Then I put the bowl down and let him sit a few seconds before I let him go to town.

- When he's eating don't kneel down or sit next to him as he may associate that with being "on the same level" as you. For this same reason mine don't go on the couchs or beds as they will literally misbehave the next day and not listen if I do.

I probably sound like a nazi and I am when it comes to my dogs but they are both aggressive-breed (and poorly bred) rescue dogs so I always want to be the boss. Once they are nazi-trained its great though b/c they know whats expected and I rarely have to give commands. My favorite thing I have them trained on is to not beg for food. When my wife or I sit down to eat in the kitchen both the dogs get up and go in another room and lay down as they know they are only allowed in the kitchen when there is no food out.

My only real problem is that on occasion they will fight if left alone too long with toys and I don't watch them to pick the toys up before any aggression is shown.

BTW, he's a cool looking dog, what is he?
 
He jumped on people, snapped, and had serious dominion issues. If he was held up in any area he immediately went full attack at anyone who approached it. I spent about 4 hours one day at the shelter so I could get to the opint where I could pet him.
 
Don't prepare his meals or feed him in your kitchen b/c chances are he associates the kitchen with where your food is which may cause him to think he's getting the same food you get which puts you two on the same level.
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I didn't think of this. That's exactly where I feed him.

I also make him sit before he eats.
 
VolcomX311 said:
I waited too long to implement leash training, now my dog is an elderly 11 years old and he walks me when we go out. Actually, its not as bad as it used to be. He's old and frail now, so his tug power is diminished, but when he was young and vigorous, Hey-Suse it was a pain.
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I found that just tiring out my big one is all it takes for him to behave on a leash. He wears a doggie vest with weights :D
 
Mulletsoldier said:
Just control the food source. My puppy only eats three times a day, and then only when he responds to a command: Sit, stay, rollover, whatever it may be. In nature, he would not get to consume any food until the Alpha or Elder members of the pack ate first. By just handing your dog food, you're saying "Here, you are the Alpha Male". It needs to start young, IMO; if a dog is to be obedient, he has to experience very strict discipline from a young age. I have had several dogs, ranging from Bulldogs, to Pits, to this tiny Yorkie x Chihuahua, and I start discipline early every time. IMO, this doesn't take away from the experience of owning a dog!
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I agree.. I start training my dogs from the day, i get them..

As for the command thing, i also agree.. IMO i would make the dog go "down" across the room, and "wait" till you put the food down, and give him permission to eat.. The down command, is a pretty dominating, command IMO.
 
Jayhawkk said:
He jumped on people, snapped, and had serious dominion issues. If he was held up in any area he immediately went full attack at anyone who approached it. I spent about 4 hours one day at the shelter so I could get to the opint where I could pet him.
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You'll find it will be that much more rewarding in a year or so when he's a perfect behaved dog and you look back at how bad he was. You basically saved his doggylife.
 
imprezivr6 said:
The down command, is a pretty dominating, command IMO.
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Definitely, thats why i would sometimes sit on my big one for as long as it took for him to quit struggling and eventually calm down. I'd also keep my hands on his hind quarters as a lot of dogs do not handle being touched there. Once more tells him hes not the boss.

Since i live in such a crap hole my big one, unfortunately, is not kid friendly and ive trained him like that purposely. It will be interesting when my wife and i decide to have kids.
 
VolcomX311 said:
I waited too long to implement leash training, now my dog is an elderly 11 years old and he walks me when we go out. Actually, its not as bad as it used to be. He's old and frail now, so his tug power is diminished, but when he was young and vigorous, Hey-Suse it was a pain.
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'
that could be a new resistance training program with people who have bigger dogs. Dog resistance :):)
 
Like humans and all other animals, the ideal food is the least processed and highest in nutrients, for dogs that would be mostly meat and very little vegetables, read the ingredients in dog food.....it's crap, dogs are not vegetarians and having the bulk of their food come from "wheat" is not ideal, let alone healthy.

I had a dog when I was younger, I fed him nothing but meat, bones and a little bit of vegetables, most of that meat was rare, when I was low on cash it was processed meat, never had any problems with the dog, health wise or behavior wise.

When I get another dog, I will never feed it dog food, that's the worst **** you can feed an animal.

I'll feed it the same thing I eat.......:D
 
My dog is on some sort of food for elderly dogs diet. It suppose to help restore energy and vigor. Maybe it has, but my dog has become lazy as hell.
 
Jayhawkk said:
My dog food lists the meat as the first ingrediant
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What are you feeding?

Listing meat as the first ingredient, is good and all, but doesn't really mean a whole lot, especially if the next couple are fillers. Also depends on what TYPE of meat source.

Look at ALL the ingredients.
 
I feed my big guy Eagle Pack Holistic Select... lol $50 for 30 lbs. On top of that I add 3 tblsp of flax oil. But, he is a blue doberman so he has mutant color alopecia so he needs a special diet to keep hair on him
 
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