Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Flip

Original poster

Food agression

18 replies

Fatherted12 · 01/10/2023 07:48

I have an 8month old baby.
I have a 16yr old terrier and a 5yr old westy.
The westie has always been unpredictable with aggression towards the other dog at feeding time, but we generally manage this and 9times out of ten we have no issues.
This morning though he attacked the older dog when food was put down. When i interviened he bit and scuffled at me.
I am sooo worried he might turn on the baby if he for instance is carrying a sandwich or gets too close to dog while it's eating, even though he loves the baby and v v.
I really do try and monitor food times but I know there will be instances in the future when I am not ontop of it 100 percent.
What do I do?
Generally the dog is super lovely and great company.

OP posts:

Frequency · 01/10/2023 07:57

You must feed them in separate rooms/crates if there is food aggression. The aggressor is suffering a lot of stress being fed in the same vicinity as the other dog. The other doh is also likely to be feeling stress.

There's a lot of training you can do to help resolve food aggression and resource guarding but step 1 is keeping the dogs separate to feed them.

You can then drop tasty treats into the aggressive dog's bowl as he is eating, slowly moving your hand closer as you drop the treat. He'll begin to see human hands near his food as a good thing, not a threat.

If you're worried about snatching food from the baby I'd teach basic manners and a good leave it.

Kikopup on YouTube is a great resource for training.

Food aggression is common and I'd not be overly concerned as it is only being directed at the other dog but if this ever changes and the dog starts showing aggression to people around food you need to contact a qualified behaviorist for on-the-ground help.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 01/10/2023 08:14

I’ve got two and one is very funny around his food. They get fed in different rooms. It’s simple, effective and not rocket science…

Peacendkindness · 01/10/2023 08:15

Different rooms and dogs must go on their bed if the child is eating

Original poster

Fatherted12 · 01/10/2023 08:21

Thanks for your response.
I do feed the dogs in separate locations. They don't always eat their food immediately and so I went to put the kettle on to give them chance. Next thing I know, the westie is hovering over old boys bowl (hadnt eaten his own) and all hell has broken loose.

Usually I can practically put my hands in the bowl when he's eating and he's fine. But on occasions he turns into a completely horrendous monster and I'm hugely worrying about his unpredictability.

OP posts:

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 01/10/2023 08:24

But how are they getting to each others food if they are in separate locations? If they aren’t eating immediately I’d just take it up and try again in an hour unless it’s raw and you literally can’t leave it

Frequency · 01/10/2023 08:25

I would keep food down for 15 minutes and then pick it up. If they don't everything within 15 minutes you're probably feeding them too much anyway.

You shouldn't really be putting your hands in his bowl while he is eating. Aggression is always borne out of fear. You need to build his confidence around food. He needs to feel safe that neither you nor the other dog are going to take his food and that food will always be regularly available.

Feed on a schedule (twice a day works best) and in sep rooms. Keep the dogs separate until they've finished eating and pick up any uneaten food after 15 minutes.

MyCircumference · 01/10/2023 08:27

yep, feed separately, if they dont finish, remove the food

Original poster

Fatherted12 · 01/10/2023 08:30

I am definitely going to have to rethink our system.

I think the biggest issue and concern i have, was that he turned on ME and bit me.
I need to resolve this aggression before baby gets to an age where I'm not always watching. Weather that's 3 or 13.

OP posts:

Frequency · 01/10/2023 08:34

What he did when he bit you was redirection. It's common in dogs who are interrupted when they're aroused. If you resolve the food aggression you shouldn't need to worry. If you are worried I would always advise you to get a behaviorist to visit.

Online advice can only ever advise based on what the behaviour is "probably" caused by. A behaviorist can watch the dogs and asses you and your house and come up with a behaviour modification plan tailored to you and your specific circumstances.

Frequency · 01/10/2023 08:35

Also if you ever need to separate them when one is showing aggression for any reason do not go in with your hands. Either lure away with a treat or use a slip lead.

StrongTea · 01/10/2023 08:38

Our 4 fed in separate places, doors closed. The quick eater has now got a slow feeding bowl so they finish at the same time, bowls collected, no hassle.

Original poster

Fatherted12 · 01/10/2023 08:40

OK. So the dogs get fed dry food first thing in the morning, around lunch and then dry and wet after we have eaten in the evening. (We use a measured scoop for the days food amount)
We have a large kitchen and dogs are fed 1 at each end. Old dog gets his food put down first, then the westie's gets put down. After 10/15 mins, if they aren't interested, it gets taken up until lunch.

Usually we have no issues but on rare occasions when I am distracted by life, it kicks off- usually issue would be with the wet food in the evening.

OP posts:

Frequency · 01/10/2023 08:43

If you won't have another room available then use crates. Pop the dogs in the crates before you dish out the food. Make sure the crates are positioned where they cannot see each other or use crate covers if you need to.

You'll need to train them to enjoy crates.

In the meantime, perhaps feed one outside or in the bathroom.

Crate Training- Part 1- Dog Training

This video is on the basic steps of training your dog to go in his crate. Stay tuned for part two coming shortly. For more free videos check out my website:...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUzF0g0PwY4

Newpeep · 01/10/2023 08:44

This is easy. Separate rooms for feeding anything. I’d guess that it’s only food guarding from the dog so won’t apply to the child but it’s not worth taking chances. Keep dogs away when the child has food.

My last dog RG with our cats. Never with a human which is very common.

OzziePopPop · 01/10/2023 08:45

has older dog been checked over by a vet? I know this isn’t altogether new behaviour but it’s worth ruling out any physical cause - teeth? He’s 16 after all and things get difficult at that age.

BeansOnToast32 · 01/10/2023 08:59

The Westie needs locking in a separate room or crate at feeding times and you only let them out when you know for definite there's no food about.

If you are worried about him snatching food/biting your baby when they start toddling around with food then the dog needs to be put away when the baby if eating.

margotrose · 01/10/2023 10:03

We have a large kitchen and dogs are fed 1 at each end.

This isn't enough. You have a dog with food aggression - they need to be completely separated with a physical barrier in place so neither of them can get to the other during mealtimes. Even if there was no aggression I would be feeding them separately anyway, to be honest.

I would also crate the dogs (separately) or lock them out of the room during mealtimes from now on. As you say, life happens and you get distracted, so you need to put systems in place to prevent them getting to each other.

The dog went for you because you stuck your hand in the middle of a scuffle - it's instinct but it's also very foolish. Never stick your hand in the middle of a dog fight - use something like a broom handle to separate if you can't do it with words.

ScattyHattie · 01/10/2023 11:03

I'd look for qualified behaviourist to help you with this given you have child so that you've awareness of what's going on with your specific situation so can advise accordingly. If you've a pet insurance policy they sometimes cover this.

By making the young dog wait and watch the old one eat first you likely built up some frustration and the oldie had finished with food and wandered while youngster was still eating. It's easier to manage by putting in completely separate rooms so they don't have to worry about what other dog is doing. Given terriers age it may not be many years till you've a lone dog which will likely reduce need to RG.

A crate is so useful for this and gives their own safe space which they will eventually learn to go to for food or human mealtimes. Just don't leave your other dog loose to wander round the crate while he has food or he will feel need to guard that space and get stressed. Crates also good to keep children who naturally lack boundaries/impulse control away from the dog and more of a physical barrier than bed alone when the dogs having a nap and may end up startled awake by a hug or fell on.

My previous dog RG around other dogs but was fine with people being around his food/toys, i still always employed a trade up if i wanted to take something from him so that he knew would get a tasty treat or another toy out of it accepting an exchange. I'm happy with them communicating their discomfort of situation with a warning growl as it's listening to that which helps keep you from being bitten, if they get chastised for growling and needs ignored your just disabling the alarm.

Flip