Food Agression

Date: 2006-02-07 16:30:57

chow /lab male neutered 100 lbs and to this equation i added a blue healer mix female spayed 45lbs. she gets ugly over her food and she still nips at his face and feet and they try to hump each other regardless of the size difference. any help appreciated.

Date: 2006-02-16 00:31:17

My main question is how does the lab mix react. I would use his behavior as a basis of what actions you should take and basically back him up. It sounds like the cattle dog is resource guarding her food and I would recommend a combination of desensitization and conditioning to modify her behavior. I would begin by conditioning her behavior so that when people are around she does not react. Figure out the point that she does not react and gradually increase the stimulus that causes her to react. So with people first and then apply the same thing to your other dogs until the situation becomes manageable. If the cattle dog growls at me when I am 10ft from her I move back 12ft so she does not growl and I reward her. Then gradually decrease the bubble of space. The goal during this stage is to have her see that people and dogs around during meal time are a positive experience therefore there is no reason to react negatively. Conditioning is an easy way to modify the behavior that usually does not have negative side effects if not done properly. Try this along with other techniques of conditioning and desensitization explained in the Corgi case but with barking. Thanks again for your question and stop in and see us for more info at 5700 W. Kilgore Ave.

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