I own two dogs. In the past two months the more dominant GSD has been barking at and most recently attacking the lab at feed time. What can I do to correct this issue?

Hello Mr. Frawley:

I appreciate the time and effort you put into helping dog owners. You and your website are the first resource I go to when I have a dog question. Now that I have "buttered you up" I'll ask my question.

Background: I own two dogs (5 year old male GSD, 6 year old male black lab). Neither dog is neutered. They have lived together peacefully in the same 10'x20' kennel for the last 4 years with daily exercise (approx. 30 minutes) in our yard.

Problem: In the past two months the more dominant GSD has been barking at and most recently attacking the lab at feed time.

Further information: It is always the GSD attacking the lab and it only occurs at feed time. The feed time routine begins by having the GSD sit, I set the food before him while he remains sitting and then I give him the command to begin eating. Then I repeat the same routine with the lab. The dog dishes are located 8 feet apart with doghouses between them. By the time I exit the kennel the GSD will begin showing aggression towards the lab while the lab remains at his food dish. I have successfully (and safely) broken up two fights using the techniques discussed on your website. We feed the dogs once a day and do not remove their dishes. As I have learned from your site this "free feeding" is not a good practice.

What can I do to differently to correct this issue? I greatly appreciate your insight on the matter.

Thanks a bunch,
Ben