I have had my dog for three years and he struggles with food aggression. Went through all the training with him but since I moved into my own place (break-up) he has gotten worse. I can no longer fulfill his needs as I am not home for half of the day and his behavior keeps getting worse. I have decided to return him to the shelter where I got him. This is going to be very painful, this separation. How do you get through this?
2007-02-12 07:45:39 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Find a breed that you really like where you can talk to the breeder and see the parents and have more predictability in whether or not the next dog will be food agressive. If what you mean by food aggressive is being aggressive toward you while eating that is really not good, and a good breeder in the breeds I have been in would never want to raise a line that had many with a temperament like that.
One thing I would like to add, if you bring the dog to a shelter and tell them that he has bitten they will most likely put him down as unadoptable.
2007-02-12 07:55:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you give up on your pet, and even though you have been through the training, etc., maybe there are just a few other things to try before taking him to the shelter. The guilt of doing that will probably be 100x's worse then what is going on now. Maybe you can hire a petsitter who can come in and walk him daily, it should not be that costly. I have a pet sitting busines, and I have 3-5 walkers every day of the week. Maybe starting your pet off with daily walks would cut down on the food aggression. There is also doggy day care, that may be a bit more pricey, but your pet will certainly become more socilaized, and again may cut down on the aggression. Since you did not state how big, what type of, or your pets age, I am just tossing out some ideas in general. If you have ever crated your dog, maybe you can crate him while your at work, have someone come in and walk him, or take your pet to the dog park if there is one where you live. It sounds as though your pet could use some socializing too, and maybe, just maybe he could be acting out, or upset in some way over your break up, especially if your pet and "ex" were close. You are between a rock and a hard place my friend, and it is very hard to have to return your pet of 3 years back to the shelter, hoping he will be adopted, and hoping he does not get euthanized because they can't place your pet. If you have the time, and your really want to keep your pet, just think over some of the other options I have listed. If you have no other choices, put an ad in the paper, you may get lucky and find your doggie a great home! Also, maybe since you are both in a new home, and you both start to get into your routine, he may just start to settle down and turn out to be your best pal. Hope some of this helps, and Good Luck with your dilema!
Debi
2007-02-12 08:18:20 · answer #2 · answered by PETSITTER DEBI 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing, I don't think the animal shelter should have adopted him out if he has a food aggression. They should have taken care of that. So bad on their part.
Yes it's going to hurt because you have become attached to the dog. I would suggest adopting another dog. Talk to the shelter and ask specific questions about the dogs behaviors. Maybe getting an older dog who can handle being home by himself for a portion of the day would be the best thing. I would definitly take the time to check out all the dogs. You may end up passing up a good dog if you don't check him out. Good luck and I hope this helps!
2007-02-12 07:52:52 · answer #3 · answered by Askme a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds mean, but find another companion. Nothing helps like having a new friend help you feel better. Sadly some dogs just can't be helped. Most shelters should do screenings to prevent people from adopting potentially aggressive dogs. I suggest finding another shelter and pick a new, younger pal if there are any.
2007-02-12 07:51:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had this problem with my own dog nothing works Ive come to the conclusion that would u wont your dinner taken away in the middle of eating? all i can say is never give treats by hand put in dish.its all to do with dominates. sorry to say most shelters will put the dog to sleep u have a dog for lire you shouldn't of spoiled him/her
2007-02-12 08:20:47 · answer #5 · answered by smokeyjo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get another dog immediately, i know it sounds kinda cruel, but that is probably the only thing that will help fill the void
2007-02-12 12:00:01 · answer #6 · answered by mylilspice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋