he almost attacked me today. I was petting him and he growled actually almost bit my toes. He is a mini pin I've had him for a year.
2007-02-20 18:27:06 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
No. You need to raise your voice in a stern tone and correct his behavior.
2007-02-20 18:30:37 · answer #1 · answered by E-Razz 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is not acceptible behavior. He needs to lose priviledges until he learns YOU provide the goodies. In the dog world, the one with the best access to the resources is boss. Since you have the big brain and opposable thumb, that mean you are Alpha.
No free feeding. Only feed him meals, while you hold the bowl he eats. Feed him small handfuls of food. If he growls, whoosh, take the bowl away and walk away.
No bed or furniture priviledges, either. He must sit while he eats, sit to go outside, etc.
If this little guy isn't neutered, do so immediately.
Don't hit him, unfortunately, that will only increase his aggression and make him more likely to bite you.
2007-02-21 04:56:29 · answer #2 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the dog had been raised around other dogs, this is why. You must stop this behavior. When you feed him, make sure he see who is doing the feeding. Fill his bowl on a counter top, and then slowly bring it to him. If he jumps up, slap him on the nose and say WAIT! Don't give into him, start all over again. When you place the bowl on the floor, hold onto it for awhile, and if he growls, or snaps at you take it away! Then make him wait for a good while, show him who's food it is! And tell him, he'll understand. After he starts eating, keep petting him, showing him your not going to take his food. If he starts growling again kick him away and pick up the bowl again and tell him he's not going to get fed, if he doesn't stop! You need to show who is the dominant dog here! As he eats you may try giving him a little more food, but if he growls, slap him on the head, and show him the food, he'll get the idea.
2007-02-21 02:50:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is normal but totally unacceptable.
You need to start asking your dog to sit before he is fed and use a word such as Go or Eat when he is allowed to eat.
You need to not feed him in a bowl but put his dry food on the floor so that he can't be overprotective of his food bowl. Don't feed him it all in one go - measure out how much he gets a day into a container and feed him by scattering the food on the floor and by playing games with him eg roling the kibble for him to chase. Growling and snapping when food around is very dangerous esp if there is likely to be children around at somestage. Occasionally take food off him and offer him another piece of food or a toy when he doesn't growl
2007-02-21 02:34:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is not really normal it is a behaviour known as food aggression and it is something you should stop right now before it gets worse and your dog actually hurts someone. Heres what to do..
If you have an older dog that has already perfected his mealtime Cujo imitation, a different approach must be taken:
Do away with his food bowl for a week or two. Shep will be dining out of your hand, a few kibbles at a time.
Bring back the food bowl. It should remain empty until you pass by and drop a few pieces of kibble in it. After those are eaten up, you should drop small handfuls of kibble in at two-minute intervals until the entire meal has been eaten. By now your dog should be practically begging you to approach his bowl.
Put a semi-filled bowl on the floor and as you pass by, drop in a few better-than kibble tidbits. Then add the remaining kibble in your next pass.
Put a full food bowl on the floor as your dog holds a sit-stay. Release him with a cheery "okay." Then once or twice a week, call your dog away from his bowl and reward him for coming over to you with a tasty tidbit. Please use your "sit-stay," "wait," and "take it" commands with the dog so it is absolutely clear to Shep who owns the kitchen and the tasty morsels in it.
Each of these steps should be undertaken for 10 to 14 days for both breakfast and dinner. While you are grappling with a food-guarding problem, your dog should wear a leash at mealtimes as a safety measure. Don't use it to correct him unless you are in jeopardy of being hurt. Since food guarding seldom happens in a vacuum and often signals other problems in the dog/owner relationship, a basic obedience course is highly recommended for canines who exhibit this behavior. Finally, if you experience any backsliding, return to Step One. Slow and steady wins this contest of wills.
http://wiki.buffalopugs.org/index.php/Possession_Aggression
PS no matter what other people are saying DO NOT hit your dog in the throes of an aggressive episode, it will only heighten and increase his aggression to a level where you could get seriously injured.. please follow the technique I have provided and visit the link for more info.. that is the best and safest way to train a dog out of food aggression I know I have done it before with a much larger dog than you have and trust me.. you dont EVER hit an animal that is already showing aggression, can crush your bones and rip your flesh with little effort.. its better to teach the dog that aggression of any kind is an unacceptable way to deal with things even on your part.
2007-02-21 03:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many dogs can be territorial about their food, if he's growling it means that he thinks you are going to take his food. My Dog was territorial with her food and I started by sitting in the same room and letting her growl, and each day I would get closer and closer, until she let me sit right next to her and pet her as she ate.because she realized that I wouldn't take her food HOWEVER THIS IS NOT TRUE OF ALL DOGS, and you may want to consult a professional trainer on how to break your dog of this habbit so you don't get bit. I already had a repor with my dog and my dog already saw me as the dominant member of the household "Pack" if that isn't true of your dog, it may bite to defend it's meal.
2007-02-21 02:33:26 · answer #6 · answered by nemsethcszardescu 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's pretty tipical for dogs to have food aggression. So normal, yes. Acceptable, no. I don't really know how to correct food aggression because my dogs have never had that problem. But be stern and let him know who's boss and that it's not acceptable behavior.
2007-02-21 02:33:09 · answer #7 · answered by Katie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
none of my dogs have ever growled at me while they are eating.one of the best ways is hand feed him often to let him know that you are no threat.this should not be tolerated.
2007-02-21 02:46:49 · answer #8 · answered by bad1998vette 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
hit him dont let the dog get away with this
he must learn that you are above him and
must be respected .
give him food but make him sit and wait before you say its ok to eat it
take the food away several times
if he growls hit him lightly on the nose
keep doing this until he behaves and let you touch the food as you want
this is important canine education
if you dont he may end up biting a kid or you ,who gets to close to his food
totaly unacceptable
2007-02-21 02:38:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
wow that is so not good... he thinks he rules the house and u don't.. its his food and ur not aloud to touch it. this bad behavior takes a lot to fix..i'm sure u backed off when he when for your foot. u might need to find a behaviorist to fix this.. or look up some technics online... but u can not be afraid of him and U have to claim his food..because this can become very bad if he is aroud kids and does this and really he shouldn't do this to u it can go to the point that u can't take anything off him.
does he do this with toys treats ect.
2007-02-21 02:44:34 · answer #10 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋