Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive

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Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive - 6/12/2011 8:14:43 PM

AAkasha

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Fellow dog owners! Any opinions would be welcome..
We have three dogs that have always gotten along well. The oldest is a shelter rescue, probably around 10 - 11 years old, about 45 pounds, some sort of mutt mix of shepherd, chow, sharpei (apparently, but I wouldn't bet on any of that). Middle dog is a 6 year old Lab, totally trained and docile. Youngest dog is a 3 year old chihuahua, also trained completely (not a vanity pet, but a heeling, sitting, staying, non yappy obedient chihuahua - but still, dog-wise, possess Chihuahua traits, including attitude).

In the last few days, the older dog has shown signs of food aggression around dinner time if any of the other dogs wander near his food dish before he is done. The lab backs off but the chihuahua has an attitude and growled back, causing a minor dispute with a lot of growling and teeth bearing but no one hurt. The older dog was bent out of shape still and full of anxiety and snapped at the cat, who was an innocent bystander walking by, but I don't doubt would take a swipe at him with intent to hurt if he did it at the wrong time.

He did it again tonight despite a leash correction. We'll take him to the vet this week to see if he's got any physical symptoms bothering him make food time separate for the time being. I'm wondering if older dogs ever get mentally "off" however, and it's not something that can be fixed. With the small dog my concern is he could seriously hurt her in the heat of the moment because she's not going to back down if they really get into something.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Akasha

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RE: Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive - 6/13/2011 2:12:01 AM

areallivehuman

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I might try feeding the older dog first with the chihuahua on a leash.

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RE: Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive - 6/13/2011 5:29:00 AM

LillyBoPeep

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When our German Shepherd got old, he would occasionally growl at the younger dog; he was developing arthritis and getting somewhat debilitated in his back legs, and had a lot of soreness and stiffness and it seemed like he worried that the younger dog would sense his weakness and start stealing food from him. he'd growl about treats or food, but was otherwise totally friendly with the younger dog (we got the younger dog, the only one i have now, after the older one's sister died, so there's a 5 year age difference). They'd lay next to/on each other and follow each other around and all the usual signs of their regular friendship, but sometimes if the younger one was acting REALLY hyper, or, like i said, there was food or treats around, the older dog seemed like he had to say "i may be old, but i'm still the boss!"

a trip to the vet is worthwhile to see if he has any physical problems that are causing him to see the other dog as a potential threat.

Oh ETA -- yes, this older dog had ALWAYS been extremely mellow. we got him and his sister together, and when they were together, his sister was the boss, so he grew up very mild-mannered and friendly, and had a special affinity for little kids and old people. =p it was pretty wacky when he started growling at the younger dog, but when we separated their food bowls, or gave them treats far away from each other, he stopped.

< Message edited by LillyBoPeep -- 6/13/2011 5:30:18 AM >

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RE: Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive - 6/13/2011 10:07:09 AM

windchymes

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Wow, that's a tough one. Chances are, since he came from a shelter, he developed the "aggression" just to protect his own food from the other dogs there. And if he lived on the street, he knows hunger and probably developed a stronger survival instinct than pampered dogs.

I did a little googling, but only came up with articles that talked about dogs being food aggressive with people, nothing about with other dogs.

I think what I would do is just let him have his own feeding time without other dogs around for awhile so he can relax and get used to a non-stressed (in his mind) environment for eating. Maybe for a month or so? Remember that he's getting used to a new home himself. And then gradually introduce the already-fed calmer dog into the room on a leash, but not near his food, walk around, but not too near the food bowl. Then, if he gets used to that dog being around, do the same with the chihuahua. Over time, work up to feeding them all in the same room but on opposite sides, and then gradually move their bowls a little closer together.

Something I see on tv is making sure he's in a calm state before you give him his food. Maybe even take them all for a walk before feeding. And make him earn it by sitting first, then pet him a little bit to reward him for that, then set the bowl down for him. Never give him the food if he's in an excited "gimme da food, gimme da food!" state of mind. If that's possible, lol.

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RE: Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive - 6/13/2011 11:30:37 AM

LinnaeaBorealis

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I think that Lilly's probably correct. You don't say how long you've had the 3 dogs together, but if he's feeling weaker, he would feel the need to protect his food from the others. I love dogs, but they are not great thinkers. They're very instinctive. And since this just started, it sounds as though there may be a physical problem that might be causing it.

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RE: Formerly mellow dog becoming food aggressive - 6/13/2011 12:07:03 PM

Muttling

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I've never been in this exact situation, but I also think Lily's assessment is accurate. When the older dog was younger and more confident in his ability to protect his food, he was probably less touchy about it. The normal progression in a pack is for the higher ranking males to eventually loose ranking to their age. Also understand that feeding and who eats first is a big issue of pack ranking in their instincts. (Dogs don't see anyone else as their equal, you're either above them or you're below them......when there's a question of ranking you have situations like this.)

The best way to deal with this instinct is to feed them separately. If the older dog likes to eat slowly, then put him in a crate or separate room so he can enjoy his meal in peace.

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