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What to do about my food aggressive puppy2007-11-25 2:53:14

I have a new puppy who is 4 months old and he is food agressive towards my 2 yr old dog!!Even with treats and bones?But at all other times they are best of friends and play together all day!!

Answers:

The puppy could be either trying to be the alpha dog, or it could think that the other dog is a threat to its food. You could do a few things to correct this behavior.

First off, don't just discipline and say "no", cause this may just cause the dog to mask the visible behavior that's getting it in trouble (growling etc.), yet still be communicating negitively to the other dog in other body language. Try showing that you are the boss. Eat before the dogs. The alpha in a pack eats first, and the puppy needs to know that YOU are #1. This will hopefully help with the aggression to the other dog (why battle for alpha when the seat is taken). This site has ideas to fix food agression. http://www.artzpet.com/dogsarticles/dogf...

You might have to try a few things to see what works. And if all else fails, you can try feeding the dogs seperately.

I hope this all helps.

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Food aggression is a way of showing dominance over another dog. In a pack of dogs the dominant dog, or alpha, always eats first and then allows the others to eat what he doesn't want. You need to nip this in the bud because as I'm sure you know, this is dangerous behavoir. You need to "claim" the food as your own and then when he accepts that all food belongs to you, let him eat it. You claim it by setting it down and when he goes for it, you block him from getting it and say "no!" When he gives up, you can let him have it. This done on a regular basis will help him realize that you and not he are alpha.

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