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#264177 - 02/03/10 09:13 AM
Preventing Food Aggression
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Michael Pugsley
Leerburg Web Board User
Registered: 08/25/09
Posts: 47
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So when I have a puppy I feed him kibble and slowly introduce raw food. I know that Ed Frawley recommends petting the puppy gently while the pup eats, and making it clear you're not trying to take the food. What I do with kibble is make the pup sit, put the food in his crate, then once he starts eating I go to the kitchen and grab a handful of kibble so that I can add it to the bowl. I'll let the pup eat out of my hand while I pour it into the bowl, or beside the bowl. Today I gave the pup a beef neck bone, and I wasn't expecting he'd want the kibble and figured there was a chance of the pup growling since it's a high value food. Of course he growled while I was setting the few pieces of kibble beside the bone.
My question then, is it better to use one of these techniques or just let the pup be? You're clearly causing stress to the pup by petting him or putting your hand in the crate, and I don't think it's natural for dogs to have their space invaded while eating. So would a better method be, I eat first, give the dog food after he sits and just walk away as if I have no interest whatsoever in the food?
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#264185 - 02/03/10 10:25 AM
Re: Preventing Food Aggression
[Re: Anne Jones]
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Michael Pugsley
Leerburg Web Board User
Registered: 08/25/09
Posts: 47
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Thanks, I should have mentioned that I only do this with a young puppy for a short period. I don't do it with my adult dog, even though I could take his food away. And I never take the food away from the pup. I was starting to rethink the whole thing (getting into the pups space by adding more food), and moreso after he growled. And that's a good point about marker training teaching the dog to respect hands, since he's getting food right out of my hand countless times throughout the day for training.
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#264192 - 02/03/10 11:48 AM
Re: Preventing Food Aggression
[Re: Jessica Pedicord]
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Tracy Collins
Leerburg Web Board User
Registered: 10/09/08
Posts: 331
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
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Rightly or wrongly, I have a slightly different opinion. While I don't think dogs or puppies should be routinely harassed while they are eating, I do make it a training exercise with my puppies that I gently touch them while they eat--and I touch their food bowl, I put things into the food bowl while they eat, and I teach them to trade things (they give up what they have for something even better from me.) This is all done with lots of praise, reassurance, and treats.
For me, none of this is about dominance. As Jessica said, I give them the food and that sends a strong signal that I am the provider. What I want to be able to do is to take anything away from my dog if I have to--I want them to trust me enough that they will give me whatever it is they have, even if it's in their mouth--even if THEY think it's food. IMO, I need to be able to stick my hand in any of my dogs' mouths to grab something they might choke on, or poison themselves with--or anything I don't think they should have. I can't feel like putting my hands into their eating space is a risk. That's just me.
Once I'm confident that I COULD touch their food or take it away, I don't ever need to again. And I don't. They eat in peace.
That license does NOT extend to other dogs in the household. Every dog at my house gets his own bowl, and his own space to eat in, and no dog is allowed to touch the others' food. When everyone is finished I do let them inspect each others' bowls for any remaining molecules of food. ;-)
This works for us.
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