centitout Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 i have 4 puppies which are now 12 weeks old,which have become very aggro with the other pups at feeding.everyone has seperate bowls(12!!)is there a way i can teach them not to be dominant with food apart from seperating-i did take the 4 trouble makers away and fed seperately,but then they had massive fights with each other.i supervise while feeding and have used water as a punishment when a fight broke out.any suggestions would be appreciated.btw,the big dogs are good,i started using the triangle of temptation last year etc and have found it fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 No help but I demand puppy photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamSnag Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 I too demand Photo's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 Probably the only way, if you have to feed them all together, is to get rid of the bowls and spread the food (if it is dry?) then it's 'everyones' food and there are no boundaries to guard as such. My 4 won't tolerate others stealing from their bowls, but if I scatter food outside they will quite happily move around each other whilst eating. Problem is you can't be sure that each individual pup gets the same amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah L Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 staff'n'toller, I also think scatering the food may work at a later date. I am just not sure if the pups would do this straight away without a fight. It may be better for a short time to, at feed times to teach the dogs to sit and hand feed them each the same amount under a controlled situation thus breaking the thought pattern that they have to compete for food. Once the fed by hand stops the competition and the sit and wait has been taught then it will be easier to re introduce the feeding from the bowls. This is a progressive step and needs all triggers from competition taken away first. If the op tries this and it works then we can advise the op how to re introduce the feed bowls down the track. My suggestion may be time consuming at feed times but will shorten the duration of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms James Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I have seen the motion for photos, seen it seconded, and now I pass it We do a modified triangle of temptation for our guys, but the problem child gets fed on a lead so that he doesn't go & attack our Belly Buttons when she's scarfing down her food. Not too sure how that would help you with 4 puppies though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centitout Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share Posted August 26, 2007 i have proceeded with the motion for pics!!!i actually have 12 puppie here at the moment,so hand feeding might be hard ,and they get minced carcasses/roo and soaked dry!!! i have seperated the trouble makers in to groups,1 i feed completely seperated.the 2 girls will happily eat out of the same bowl if i leave my hand in it!!! take the hand out and they will go at it.another question?-should people take puppies food away while eating,personally i would growl if someone kept taking mine away.one of my owners has been doing this with her pup to get him used to her kids taking food off him,but he has started growling now.i have advised her to hand feed him out of his bowl,instead of taking it away,is that a better way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 (edited) ... should people take puppies food away while eating,personally i would growl if someone kept taking mine away.one of my owners has been doing this with her pup to get him used to her kids taking food off him,but he has started growling I don't believe taking away a dog's food does anything other than to teach the dog its valuable resource is under threat. It is not something that dogs within a well-balanced pack would do, regardless of who is perceived as the "top dog". However, because we bring dogs to live in our human world full of "no no's" that would not normally present a problem out in the wild, we do need to teach them that it is ok - our right - to remove food from their mouths. This prepares them not only for interaction with little children who know no better, as well as for those moments when our dogs pick up items/food that might be harmful to them. ...now.i have advised her to hand feed him out of his bowl,instead of taking it away,is that a better way? Yes - this is better (assuming the pup's behaviour hasn't elevated to aggression to this act). But in between this, I would actually have food that is 'boring' (eg kibble) in the bowl, and each time I put my hand to the bowl, I'd drop in a piece of something more tasty (eg. a bit of chicken). Repeat this in multiples until the dinner has been fed. In this way, not only are they then training the pup that them having their hand near/on the bowl is ok, but that it should be welcomed, because each time it does, pup receives a bonus!!! By doing this, they are helping to reverse the belief system of "loss" the pup has learnt will occur when hands are near the food bowl. ETA: Cute pups! And you have TWELVE of them?!!!!!!! Edited August 26, 2007 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I could take one of the problems for you. The are just the most beautiful dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamSnag Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Ok ill take all 4 off ya hands :D How cute are they... would i be a pain if i asked for more pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Dax, there are 12 pups and there were 22............... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I can't help, never having had puppies (as in a litter). just want to congratulate you on your lovely pups and the fantastic job you have done keeping them alive etc. I think you are a wonderful breeder (through the breeder pages) terribly ethical, caring and really terrific with all of your dogs. It's a tremendous effort with so many and I know you've had a rough time through some of it, but you never gave up. I admire all your hard work and of course, your beautiful dogs!! I adore bloodhounds and knew a breeder of them years ago in Gawler SA. REally lovely friendly dogs. She had saliva hanging from her HIGH ceilings and many nappies (towelling) thrown over her shoulders at all times! It was hysterical. I would have had one but my husband had 'problems' with the drool. Still love them to bits. Lucky you!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamSnag Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Dax, there are 12 pups and there were 22............... Ill take them all then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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