When my cats come near the dogs food or water bowl she snaps or growls or chases them away. But if any people in the family touch, get near, touch her food or anything whiles she's eating, she acts neutral. In fact she seems content and happy we came to visit. I do remember as a puppy she would growl even if people came near her food. But she's 7 now and hasn't done that since she was a puppy. So I'm just curious what this means in terms of doggy psychology. Is this a "you're superior in the pack" thing or a "I trust you" thing, or something completely different.
2006-12-09 06:34:08 · 13 answers · asked by makingthisup 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Dogs trust no other creature around their food, but they will let higher ranked dogs take it, only puppies are usually fed first.
I think that's also the reason many dogs show puppy-like behaviour as adults. If they know they are low ranking members of the pack, but are still fed before the others are finished eating, they behave like puppies, may be because that's the only way they can explain it to themselves, or more likely so this happy situation should continue.
2006-12-09 06:42:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is an "I trust you" thing AND the result of good training. You must have taught her not to do that since she was guarded when she was a puppy. It's great to train your dog not to be aggressive over their food.
My youngest is like your dog. She will sometimes give a little snap at her sisters if they try to get in her food, but I correct that when I see it (both HER snappiness and the other dogs intrusive behavior) so it usually doesn't happen. But with me or with other people we could put our hands in her bowl, take her bowl away, whatever and she would be fine. Good for you for teaching your dog.
I had a sick father who would make our dogs fight over their food and would tease them while they ate to make them aggressive over their food. That was redneck ignorance.
2006-12-09 14:45:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog does the same thing!I have 4 cats and if any of those cats come near her food she snaps at them.If I go near her food or even touch it or take it away she doesn't seem to care at all.
2006-12-09 14:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She trusts you. If she is happy you did it that is a really big sign that she trusts you near her food. Normally in a pack, a dog will defend her food no matter who is coming, because a pack leader will try to steal another pack members food. It means she trusts you. Insecure dogs that have been abused to not allow ANYONE to come near their food, meaning they do not trust anyone.
Hope that helped! :-D
Have a great holidays! :-D
2006-12-09 14:40:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think your dogs trusts you but also knows you wouldn't eat his dog food but the cats might.
2006-12-09 15:12:35 · answer #5 · answered by Maggie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They trust you and know you're the pack leader and if they dont respect that then then they will get in doggy trouble.
2006-12-09 14:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by KOOKIE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog definitely doesn't think I am superior, but he doesn't mind me touching his food. I think he just knows that I give him the food and I never eat it, so he doesn't mind my touching it.
2006-12-09 14:43:55 · answer #7 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That there animal knows where it's food comes from,and loves you
2006-12-09 15:06:28 · answer #8 · answered by Larry m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are Higher in teh Pack
2006-12-09 14:43:15 · answer #9 · answered by Miss Tree 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It basically means your dog doesn't see you as a threat when it comes to food.
It's a very good trait for a dog to have.
2006-12-09 14:37:14 · answer #10 · answered by ljn331 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋