May 24, 2011
My new dog has two problems. He inhales food and if we try to feed him a treat he is so aggressive for food he actually snaps at my fingers. What should we do?
Full Question:
Hi Ed,I just finished reading your article "Introducing a New Dog into a Home with Other Dogs". I found it very interesting. I just got another dog (Cotton de Tulear, little guy, 14 lbs) at my house. Now I have two. This new dog seems to have a problem of being "gluttonous." He finishes his food in 30 seconds and I am not exaggerating. The breeder told me that he could eat until he bursts. Anyway, I don't consider that as a big problem. The real problem is that when I give him a treat, he bites over my fingers. I have to give it to him in my palm. The dog I have already had got the same problem when he was a puppy but I corrected it. Whenever he bit me, I would scream like crazy. That pup surely learned that. Now this newcomer is a 3-year old adult. As gentle, loving and calm as he is, he surely can bite! I really don't want to get hurt myself by letting him bite me to start with. But somehow I know that I have to let him bite me to show him that it is not right. I wonder if you know any safe way to correct for this biting behavior. I would really appreciate any insight you provide.
Thanks a lot
Tom
Cindy's Answer:
Dogs that eat this fast are susceptible to bloat. This is a serious issue to me. I would recommend switching your dogs to an all-natural diet. If you read my web site you can learn about it. I have never heard of one dog that bloats on that diet. I have this little book that we sell titled Natural Nutrition in Dogs and Cats – this explains it and is how I feed all of the dogs in my kennel. The snappy issue is an obedience issue. Correcting the problem begins with obedience. The dog needs to learn the difference between right and wrong. Obedience training teaches every dog that there are things he can and cannot do.
I would start to correct the snappy issue with leather gloves so you will not get hurt if he bites your fingers. If a dog snaps I jam my fist down his throat as I verbally correct the dog. The dog learns that he needs to be a little careful because he may get a fist down his throat if he is not careful. I make it very, very clear that if you bite my fingers you are going to get your butt kicked.
You may want to take a look at my Basic Dog Obedience video.
I would start to correct the snappy issue with leather gloves so you will not get hurt if he bites your fingers. If a dog snaps I jam my fist down his throat as I verbally correct the dog. The dog learns that he needs to be a little careful because he may get a fist down his throat if he is not careful. I make it very, very clear that if you bite my fingers you are going to get your butt kicked.
You may want to take a look at my Basic Dog Obedience video.
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