Puppy Growling Over Food

[oakeydoak1]

Hi All

My 16 week BC has started growling over her food. She has it in her yard by herself. There is a dog in the yard next to who she growls at when I put the food down and then she runs around the yard as if to warn off everyone else (maybe she is warning hte cows next door!!)

I am gathering she may have got the habit from when she was a baby as she was from a large litter and probably had to fight for her food a bit she did it a little when she was younger and a firm NO would be enough to stop her. She then stopped doing it for a little while, however over the last couple of weeks she has started doing it again and is worse.

Has anyone got suggestions on how to break this bad habit?

Thanks

[Dogsfevr]

Firstly i would feed somewhere that is away from the other dog & see what happens.

[dancinbcs]

Try feeding her small amounts at a time, so she has nothing to guard. Stay with her and dole the food out, so she knows that you own the food and are sharing it with her.

[Addicted to Dogs]

Oakeydoke1

I'd recommend getting some professional help if moving the food area doesn't work. This type of behaviour can quickly escalate and then spread to guarding other objects....or it might be nothing. But for safetys sake - yours, your dogs and every visitors I'd recommend getting a professional in to help you now.

You could start by checking out www.apdt.com.au under the trainers directory.

Oh and I'd also recommend not punishing the growl - why not? check out http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/obey-thy-dog and http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/why-growl-good

Edited April 29, 2010 by Addicted to Dogs

[persephone]

May I suggest you feed her AWAY from next door's fence..and feed her using THIS

If you need more help, ask for trainer recomendations- lots of DOL members have successfully used professional help, and word-of-mouth recommendations are the best way to find someone suitable

[oakeydoak1]

Thanks for all your responses. There is some great reading material there.

Before reading this tonight I gave her her dinner and I stayed with her and just praised her and comforted her whilst she was eating. She didnt once growl - didnt even look in the direction of my other dog and didnt run around her yard making sure the cows didnt eat her food.

However I will read all the material and will definately adjust her training accordingly, I dont want this going any further.

[sas]

My Rescue does something similar, I feed her where she can relax.....an enclosed space where nothing can enter, once she is used to this I'll take her back to the yard and stand there whilst she eats so I can address her right then and there.

Edited April 30, 2010 by sas