I am looking for a little advice. I have a 2 year old male Pit/Boxer mix (Jeter) and an 18 month old female Pit/Lab mix (Dakota). Both rescued from a shelter. Dakota has always been a little possessive of her food with Jeter. She never has a problem with people reaching for her food. We got her at 8 weeks old and for the first year she would eat very well. No issues. For the past few months she has developed this issue where she would just lay down by her food and wait for Jeter to eat and them come close to her. When he does she would attack him. It seems he thinks she is playing because if he wanted to he could rip her to pieces. The issue now is that they both seem to be playing this little game where they stand over their food and stare at each other and not eat. It is easier to get Jeter to eat then it is to get Dakota. I have been using the strategy that they get 15 minutes to eat and then I pick up the food. I figured once they get hungry enough they will stop playing this game and learn to eat when the food is put out. I am afraid they (mostly Dakota) will make herself sick by not eating for a few days. I am also concerned that this will turn in to a bad food aggression problem. They eat science diet dry food only and are not fed people food at all. No table scraps. Any advice?

I would feed them in separate rooms or separate crates. They aren't going to get over this. And, I don't think this a game. This sounds like a war waiting to happen.

Speaking from experience, please separate them.

Don't let it turn in to a big problem.

Feed them in completely separate places.

 Quote: alec s. garrison

For the past few months she has developed this issue where she would just lay down by her food and wait for Jeter to eat and them come close to her. When he does she would attack him.

1. Don't feed these dogs next to each other - separate them into different rooms, or different feeding times so that each can eat in peace without feeling threatened, or instigating "games" with the other. It isn't necessary to create this stress at feeding time and the solution is simple. You can still institute the 15 minute rule if they refuse to eat the first time you try this, but they will get used to the new schedule, and they WILL get hungry enough to eventually eat when it's time to eat. Alone.

 Quote: alec s. garrison

They eat science diet dry food only and are not fed people food at all. No table scraps. Any advice?

2. As an aside, because you mentioned it - Science Diet is a pretty poor quality kibble - I'd recommend switching to something more nutritious. Many here feel that a raw diet is optimum, but there are plenty of great kibbles that put Science Diet to shame... a few searches here in the "natural diet" forum will garner lots of great info on the subject.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck!

~Natalya

Ditto to both Jo and Michaal's posts. They both sound very stressed about eating. Fix it before you have a fight...

And, you didn't ask, but there are lots better kibbles out there than Science Diet...way too much grain in their kibbles.

Check out Innova kibbles, or Orijen, or Wellness Core kibbles.

They are a little pricier, but you will feed less because they are more nutritious...(and much better for the dogs!)
Whoops, Natalya and I were posting at the same time; didn't mean to tag team you...

Thanks so much. This is great advice. I will try it tonight. I am also going to switch their food to one of the ones you recommended. There is so much more to ask about but I have to run out. i am really looking forward to using this site more.

 Quote: alec s. garrison

Thanks so much. This is great advice. I will try it tonight. I am also going to switch their food to one of the ones you recommended. There is so much more to ask about but I have to run out. i am really looking forward to using this site more.

You have received such great advice (particularly about not letting food issues balloon; this is not fair to either dog and is a disaster in the making ... same with chewies and toys) that the only reason I logged in at all was to say that Science Diet is such bad crap-in-a-bag that unlike many food switches, this one may be best to make gradually.

Depending on which SD product you have been using (one of them proudly puts corn in TOP PLACE in the ingredients list; all, including "Nature's Best," have lots of grains and soy), the dogs' systems have had to adapt in some degree, and if you have used Adult Maintenance, to a huge degree, to food that is inappropriate for dogs. Foods that are more appropriately based on meat will be foreign to their systems for a few days.

Welcome to the board!

Thanks to all for your help! Last night my wife them in separate rooms and the same behavior occurred. There are no doors between the two areas so I wonder if I need to go upstairs and put them separate behind closed doors. I have to say that I am pretty tuned in to these dogs and they don't seem stressed during all this. In fact Dakota (the instigator to this issue) is laying down near her food looking very relaxed. Connie's point about toys and chewies is well taken but I have to say that these guys have been sharing toys since I brought Dakota home at 8 weeks old. Jeter was about 11 months at the time. I used to take him to the dog park until we had an incident with a pair of English Bulldogs that didn't want to share a Frisbee. He attacked one of them and after I pulled him off he seems to be ok until 10 minutes later when he went after the same dog again. I stopped bringing him to the dog park and now I am unsure if I can trust him with a park full of dogs. He is extremely people friendly and very affectionate. He is great with all basic commands and although it would seem he is the dominant one between him and Dakota, once she grew up it seems that when she wants to put him in his place she has no trouble doing it. During play (they play pretty rough) it is obvious that Jeter is stronger and capable of hurting Dakota, Jeter is the one that usually submits in the end. If he annoys her enough she can send him a message and he backs off. I have read all the Cesar Milan books and everything I can get my hands on and I think I understand body language and like I said in the beginning I feel like I am pretty tuned in to them. Please keep the ideas and suggestions coming. I am eager to learn and to give my dogs the best life I can. After we tackle this eating issue (I am switching food right away) can we discuss how I can get rid of the crates once and for all?

I would have to agree with what has been recommended already. Feeding them separately is a very WISE idea. They shouldn't be able to see each other - so close the door to a room.

I have two dogs and when I feed them, I either feed one outside while the other eats inside OR I feed one in the kitchen and the other in the kitchen eating area - they are separated by a short wall with cabinets.

Toy sharing is a no-no. I never let mine share toys they have their own to play with and if I catch one with a toy form the other - they get it taken away and a good reprimand.

YOU need to decide for them who they can be aggressive to and under what circumstances they are allowed to eat.

I don't allow ANY aggression between my dogs - none - ever. If I see a situation even begin to look like it might escalate I put my foot down and make sure they are redirected to something else.

Intra-dog disputes easily occur because of food and toys. Seems like no game going on but posturing. They need to know that you and your wife are the Pack Leaders - period - not them. And they also have to realize that they are equals and ONLY the Pack Leader decides who/when/what gets the aggression focused on.

So, I haven't really said much anything different than those that have already expertly replied to your post.

Best of luck and remember to be consistent with them. Also, I would make them wait for their food - show them that YOU control when they eat NOT the other dog.

Easy fix - keep one in the crate while the other one eats (out of sight) then switch and let the other one eat. I would definitely not let them eat together since they are acting the way they are with each other. It could become much worse as Dakota matures and then you will have even a bigger problem on your hands-

Also, why do you want to get rid of the crates once and for all???