dog to dog food aggression

[seraphicia]

I have a bit of an issue with my three month old aussie mix, Maggie. She has some problems with food when other dogs are around. It seems more like an anxious feeling she has, she barks when she can't steal what they are eating(out of the bowl or a chew treat on the floor), and growls when they approach the food bowl or her when she's chewing on a chew treat especially in her crate. I have four other big dogs, who all out weigh her by atleast 30 lbs. and frankly I'm worried that she's going to make one of them really snap, or maybe even worse, that this will develop into a real dog to dog food agression problem. I took Maggie in after she'd been living outside with her litter mates and other dogs in not so good conditions, and I think she had to fend for herself or something. Anyway, any help would be appreciated, especially that doesn't involve harsh punishments or anything. I love her dearly and she's a smart pooch, but she does have a few issues I need to work out(the other involves my cats, but anyway). Thanks, Becca

[Patch O' Pits]

Option 1
Feed them in separate areas. Do not allow her to approach them ot them her.

Option 2
Keep them on lead when feeding or total in different rooms or crated until you have time to work with the issue. Better safe than sorry.

Good Luck

[Evanescence]

I had a similar problem with my Aussie Cattle dog pup. I adopted her from a shelter at about 4 months, and she was VERY possessive of everything, food, the water bowl, toys, me, everything. She was very submissive toward people, and very unsocialized (I actually don't think she'd ever been around another dog!) A lot of positive reinforcement, gentle corrections of aggressive behavior, and confidence building exercises (such as socialization and agility) and she's done a complete 360 with her entire personality. I also fed her in her crate until she was about 6 months old, and while she can still be slightly possessive with new dogs when they come over to play, she has absolutely no aggression toward my other dog, they even eat out of the same bowl! I think my pup came around once she realized that the kibble wasn't a "value item" not something to get all excited about because its always around, and there's plenty of it for both of them.

If your pup was in a situation where food was a "value item" this could contribute to the dog-dog aggression issue, and I would wager a guess she may get over it after a while once food isn't a priority any more. If the pup is a very dominant dog, it may need to be fed seperately from other dogs.

I don't know of any training methods out there to conquer dog-dog food or possession agression, other than just keeping them apart, but its worth asking on this forum!