My 1 1/2 yr old basset never used to be aggressive around his food, within the past 2 months he now growls at us when we get to close to him when he is eating. In fact, he does that around certain toys also. He is a great dog other than that issue. What would have made him become protective of his food and his toys?
How do we get him to stop?
2006-10-05 07:42:44 · 10 answers · asked by EvilMoose 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Also the thing is... before I feed him he has to sit on his bed and stay before he eats, before we go outside I walk out first, when we go for a walk he does not walk ahead of me or pull me along. When he gets anything, he has to "earn" it by sitting on his bed or sitting. I am the only one in the house that he completely listens to. So I feel that I am the alpha dog.
2006-10-05 08:18:49 · update #1
is there any sort of teasing or taunting going on?? If problem persist..take his toy away. Only give it to him when he does something good and praise him verbally for being good. Far as the food goes..take it from him...starve him..i know it sounds mean,but you are the Alpha in the house..not him...I broke the habit of growling at the bowl in days of starvation. I'm not mean at all about it..just simply take it away.
If that's not for you..You can always try the pennies in a can trick. Take a empty soda can..drop 4 pennies in the can and tape it closed so the pennies don't fall out. When he growls you shake that can very loudly and tell him no growl or BAD..if he continues to do so..throw the can at him hard as you can. Again..this is not cruel..it will only scare him. The can has no weight to it at all..It will scare him. Good luck and hope this works. Worked for me..I was told this trick by a dog trainer.
2006-10-05 07:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by Bear 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is being food and toy aggressive, AKA posessive. This means that he has found you are not being a strong enough leader, and he has now assumed the alpha role. He is telling you what is his and that he doesn't want you around it. His age is just the perfect time, because at 1 1/2-2yrs old is the time where dogs (especially unneutered male dogs) push the boundaries of their pack. If you do not reassume the alpha role, your dog WILL bite you and anyone else. He will also become unmanagable any other time and will threaten you with growls and bites if you do something he doesn't like. Get a trainer that is experienced with dominant-agressive dogs involved ASAP before someone gets hurt!
2006-10-05 07:51:01 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That shouldn't be allowed. If you are the pack leader, you should be able to claim ANYTHING your dog has without protest.
When the alpha wants what another pack member has, they aren't aggressive about taking it. Leader will simply use their body to slowly push away others and block them from what he is now claiming. You can try calmly, slowly, putting yourself - i.e. standing - between pup and food/toy. Slowly blocking him from the food. **Remember to NOT make eye contact. (this is tantamount to a challenge or threat).** As you gradually move in, pup should back off. Eventually stand with the food between your shoes. By standing over the food you are claiming the food, it is now yours, not his. Pup will get the picture. You may have to repeat a few more times for desired result.
Be CAREFUL if trying with a toy. Try warding off possible bites by using another toy. Remember to remain Calm and assertive.
** NEVER tell your dog that everything is okay and pet them while they are growling or nervous or anxious or excited. By doing this - petting and giving affection- you are REALLY telling your dog that it is OK for them to be growling or nervous or anxious or excited. Petting and giving affection while the dog is angry, anxious, excited or nervous is rewarding a negative behavior. You won't be loving them any less - you just don't want to give rewards and affection to a negative mind.
Dogs do not rationalize things the way we do. You can be crying over - your goldfish just died - I hug you and pat you on the back and say - " It's okay, everything is gonna be fine." You rationalize that you will get over this feeling. Dogs can't. They only experience one state of mind at a time. You don't want to reward the dog at the wrong time.
For more information and a dog-luvrs education check out sources.
2006-10-05 09:00:44 · answer #3 · answered by simplycreative_2115 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bear said it best.....the pup is telling you that he is the boss...you have to take that back....He has to look at you as the dominate one....Those tricks stated in the first answer do work...I have seen them work....When the dogs growls use the penny trick or use the no food trick...you dog will realize that you control the food not him....I does sound mean but that is how dogs think...it is all about who is alpha...another thing that will help you become alpha again...is when the dog is not eating or playing...take him and hold him on his back for about five minutes a couple times a day....even if he squirms....just hold him there....to a dog this is showing him that you are the boss...he is not....These tricks to work....many people would call them mean but in dog talk dominace is everything
2006-10-05 08:03:39 · answer #4 · answered by yetti 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cant tell you what would have made him so protective all of a sudden however to get him to stop growling when you get too close start by petting him gently and telling him that its okay. At the same time put your hand in his food and move it around. We own two bassets and two rotties and this what we have done since they were babies because we have two kids and they like to pet them when they are eating so by doing this we trained them that it was okay for us to be around them when they ate they have never growled at any of us while they ate or when we got too close to something they valued. GOOD LUCK
2006-10-05 09:00:41 · answer #5 · answered by Aries Girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must disabuse him of this possessive, guarding behavior; now. You could try a meal time extension, so he knows where his meals are coming from. Your " pack " position has been usurped, so you must reclaim it. Perhaps, only toys when you let toys. Discipline more than punishment; dogs have trouble comprehending punishment, but they understand the discipline of place.
2006-10-05 08:13:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't stare at him when he's by his food bowl and toys. He's being territorial and feels threatened when you make eye contact. I would recommend taking your dog to an animal behaviorist for help.
2006-10-05 07:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by confused person 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give him peace and space at dinner time.A great dog with a small problem is better than an OK dog with big problems.
2006-10-05 07:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by hott.dawg™ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs just do that. Mine does too but there is no way to stop them. They're just protecting what's theirs. It's no big deal really unless someone gets bitten
2006-10-05 08:22:27 · answer #9 · answered by iluvcelineandjosh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i growl when i eat to.. but i would never bite you. especially if your the one that feeds me..
2006-10-05 07:50:53 · answer #10 · answered by SIFTER J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋