Tips re food when integrating two dogs

[Izzwizzo]

I’d appreciate any advice, regarding having two dogs. We’re experienced dog owners but have only ever had one dog at a time so I’m really looking for wise words from those who have had more than one at a time. We have our own three year old dog and due to some very sad circumstances (close family member passing away unexpectedly) we’ve inherited a second dog. Both are similar breeds and we’ve been very careful introducing them. They are both doing incredibly well and are now sleeping in the same room together happily and seem to be happy together and interact during the day. We’re still feeding them their meals separately and I’m not sure if this is contributing but in the evening if we give them both chews or if we’re eating a snack on the sofa they are starting to snap at each other if one gets too close to the other. I’d like to nip this behaviour in the bud before it escalates. If anyone has any tips or advice I’d be so grateful especially as we’re mindful that both dogs in their own ways have had their known lives turned upside down and in the main they are doing so well

I have three dogs. They are always separated by stair gates when they are eating or have longer lasting chews. Partly because the younger one will steal the older pair's food. And partly so they can all relax and eat at their own pace, without fear of someone stealing it.

I'd stop snacking on the sofa until things have settled down. It sounds like one or both could be resource guarding the food.
Or could you send them to beds at opposite sides of the room and tell them to stay whilst you snack?

This is a battle I would not fight!

Just carry on feeding separately and give them chews/snacks in different rooms.

No stress for the dogs then there is not need for them to react.

Dont add stress to the situation. They are showing you they are uncomfortable eating etc around each other.

I’ve two dogs that have lived together for 7 years. Food is always separate. Or they will scrap. Not a battle I’m willing to fight or risk them hurting each other

Agree with others. If there is a risk and you would rather not have it, then avoid it, especially since there is harmony. A fight over food could develop into a larger problem.

I know it isn't the same but I dog sit my dc dog a few times a week, my dog and theirs, get on well, but i feed them separately and they have their "snacks" separately it saves conflict, if your dogs get on ok just keep doing what you are doing.

when i have had more than one dog it has to be feeding different places. when we had Patch who was quite an unknown quantity, at night before bed, he would have his kibble and a treat, stair gate was shut then, little one had his upstairs by his bed, in the day bowls up or if they did have a small treat or kibble again the stair gate would be put on, i think that feeding is one of the biggest problems with dogs fighting each other. nice and harmonious but yes keep them apart for any type of food

When I had two I had to feed them separately, with a closed door between them. One in the kitchen, one in the utility. Not because they'd scrap, but because they were very competitive eaters. If they were in the same room, they'd both eat so fast they'd choke. They were both trying to get to the other ones dinner before they'd finished. I probably don't have to tell anyone they were labs. 😁
Same with chewys, always separated until they'd both finished. I never let them eat snacks in the living room, so that wasn't an issue.

Mine eat separately, with a door between them. DDog1 is a grazer, and DDog2 is a canine dustbin, so will eat EVERYTHING. She'll polish off her food, and then DDog1's. DDog2 is also the dominant one, so will take chewy things off DDog1, even if it's things like bones and they have been given one each. The only things that don't get stolen are offal and fish heads, because surprisingly, DDog2 will not touch those with a bargepole.