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Original poster

Normally docile dog went for my 12 year old over food..,,

10 replies

Confusedx4 · 01/10/2023 19:07

Hi, our nearly 3 year old poochon was sat beside me whilst I was eating takeaway pizza, she was hoping for some but that wasn’t going to happen. My 12 year old son came close to my plate and she went for him. Snarling and growling, she didn’t make contact. She’s never done this before. We’ve had her since she was 8 weeks and she’s a very docile dog with the children. She’s quite a nervous little dog and doesn’t get on well with many other dogs, especially in enclosed spaces. So sometimes she’ll exhibit similar behaviour to another dog in that situation. She’ll happily frolick whilst out in the open and is fast enough to get away from any dogs she feels threatened by.

I may be overreacting but I’m so shocked by this…. I really feel I’d happily rehome her if she shows any sign of this kind of behaviour again.

I have cPTSD and am not in a great place so may be making too much out of this, would really appreciate thoughts please.
Thank you

OP posts:
hairychinsrus · 01/10/2023 19:12

How scary for everyone, I would say the first thing is to call a few behaviourists to see if they can help.
She may of been so focused on the food and when your son came in she had s bit of a fright and snapped not realising it was him
Until you get this sorted out out in a few boundaries, don't let her on the sofa, make sure you are walking through doors first and get your son to feed her but make sure he eats first before putting her food down (get him to pretend to eat a bit of her food)
One off does not make a bad dog usually there are warning signals the fact that you mentioned she was fearful makes me think more likely fear reaction than aggression

tootrueblue · 01/10/2023 19:29

She needs firm boundaries and not allowed on the sofa. She thinks she's higher up the pecking order than she is.

Soontobe60 · 01/10/2023 19:33

tootrueblue · 01/10/2023 19:29

She needs firm boundaries and not allowed on the sofa. She thinks she's higher up the pecking order than she is.

I agree with this.
Get her off the sofa, dont feed her any food from your plate - only feed her from her bowl at her mealtimes.

RockSocks · 01/10/2023 19:39

She should never be allowed on the sofa next to you while eating she's resource guarding
Would you let her on the table while you eat?

She needs boundarys, if your eating she's crated or in another room behind a baby gate

Original poster
Confusedx4 · 01/10/2023 19:41

Thank you all so much, you are all absolutely right about the boundaries. Thank you!

OP posts:
bunnygeek · 03/10/2023 14:01

This was a fairly simple case of resource guarding, you mentioned your dog already has some nervous behaviour.

Fortunately it's an "easy" fix - when you're eating, the dog is on the floor, away from you, maybe with something tasty of their own. Household rule: if the dog is eating then that's their alone time, they are to eat on the floor only, ideally from their bowl, never on the furniture. Do some reading on resource guarding.

The pack theory, domination and the idea that your son needs to be "alpha" over your dog has been completely debunked and untrue for pet dogs. Someone mentioned walking through doors first, while that's good for manners, it doesn't mean anything for being viewed as being higher up a "pack" for your dog. Nor does your son need to eat before your dog (in fact, alpha and parent wolves often let the pups eat first, so yeah, that doesn't mean anything for pet dogs!).

margotrose · 08/10/2023 12:23

Just keep her away from you at mealtimes. I really don't think there's a need to do anything else at this stage.

carly2803 · 18/10/2023 20:48

put her out the room when eating/or a crate

and no i disagree - dog off sofa. I had a dog that resource guarded and i was told dogs off bed/sofas etc - they eat after you etc

Coldinscotland · 18/10/2023 20:55

I reckon my ddog would fight to the death for pizza.....
Ddog off sofa full stop.
Dc eat at the table..
Never feed ddog anywhere than in the kitchen /utility from it's bowl...
Bet it never happens again.

AliceOlive · 18/10/2023 21:01

bunnygeek · 03/10/2023 14:01

This was a fairly simple case of resource guarding, you mentioned your dog already has some nervous behaviour.

Fortunately it's an "easy" fix - when you're eating, the dog is on the floor, away from you, maybe with something tasty of their own. Household rule: if the dog is eating then that's their alone time, they are to eat on the floor only, ideally from their bowl, never on the furniture. Do some reading on resource guarding.

The pack theory, domination and the idea that your son needs to be "alpha" over your dog has been completely debunked and untrue for pet dogs. Someone mentioned walking through doors first, while that's good for manners, it doesn't mean anything for being viewed as being higher up a "pack" for your dog. Nor does your son need to eat before your dog (in fact, alpha and parent wolves often let the pups eat first, so yeah, that doesn't mean anything for pet dogs!).

This is in line with what we were told. Anxiety can cause resource guarding.

This is a book that was recommended to us.

Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs
https://a.co/d/dCqSer1

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