What to do with My Dog, and children , growling, over food?

Question

Hello, I have three daughters, 4,7,10, and a dog, 2 years, Minature toy poodle, He is very very good , snuggly, loveable, lets them pick him up, dress him up, but he went to garbage, tonight, and took a peice of chicken and went under computer desk where is best friend , my middle child was playing and she did not know, and she was moving her legs, well he must have thought she was going to attck , so he went and growled, snarled, and nipped her, tonight, i tried to get from him , he went after me, so finally i did, with a stick, get the chicken but he kept bitting stick, now im confussed is there help out there or shall i get rid of him, my middle child will be lost as this is her best friend as she deals with many many issues at school being teased, please advise, i welcome any ideas, im thinking on getting rid of him, but hurts so bad to thin kthat
it was my grandmothers pet before she past, this is why, Im being selfish i guess

Answer 1

I am looking at this from a parnet point of view..food aggression is a serious problem and even more so when kids come in. however ur dog can be taught not to do this. first u can't be afraid.
was it just over the chicken..or is it all food? and i would seek a behaviorist and a vet and trainers thoughts on how to fix it...

place food down do not let dog have it...when dog doesn't care about give and prasie if dog growls remove food...at feeding time people eat first dog last....my dogs must sit...i put food down and stand /sit for smaller dog over it(ITS MINE) only when i step back can the dogs have it....also should i choose to step back in they must back off thier food/treat...it mine again....but i always give it back....it takes more time with adult dogs then pups...but it has always worked for me....oh and if its as bad as u say i would have a leash on the dog to avoid any bites....someone help u even....

i hope that helps....once u have got to where there is no reaction from the dog and u start the oldest just being near...see what happens.(keeping urself between her and the dog.)

also if i where u i would really try every way to fix it....childern who have pets feel better about themsevles...and with her having problems in school pets make a good stable friend.....plus getting rid of a dog because it has problems i don't think is a good thing to teach kids.being a mother my self i wouldn't want my kids indangered by our pets... but animals learn and i'm willing to teach...i just need to learn how to put more hours in a day so more house work could get done....lol

Answer 2

Food aggression is a very serious problem and even more so when there are children in the household. Never feed your dog with the children present and never have the dog present when the kids have food. Close up the trash so your dog can't get into it. This is a dangerous situation given the behavior you described. One of your kids could receive a serious bite.

You can try working with a professional trainer, but this is such a difficult problem, I would seriously consider giving him to a poodle rescue organization to find him a new home without children. I'm sorry you are facing this difficult situation.

Answer 3

I think most dogs can be somewhat aggresive when it comes to food. I've always heard, u don't try to take food away from a dog. I think ur best bet would be to tie up the garbage or better yet get a garbage with a heavier lid. Don' t let the dog get to any food that he isn't supposed to have. That way u avoid the situation and your daughters don't lose a friend.

Answer 4

First of all if you keep letting him eat chicken bones he will probably die and then you won't have to worry about the growling problem. Secondly keep him away from the trash, that is not a food source, his food dish or your hand is the only acceptable place he should take food. You are the alpha in his pack so take control, don't let him growl you down, look him in the eye and yell out NO! BAD DOG! You really need to take your dog to obedience training, they will help break him of bad habits and reinforce good ones.

Answer 5

sounds like the dog is an inside dog. well just take old food outside to dispose of so that he cant get it out of the trash. as for the food aggression well i had one like that. feed him in a closed room that the kids arent in and that should stop it. they can still be good pets other than with their food. dont give it away just change tactics. they will relearn and make sure the kids understand that when he eats that is his time to be left alone. good luck and i think you will be fine without breaking you or your daughters heart

Answer 6

Well i'd try getting the dog to understand just where his place in the pack is.if he's snapping he figures you are all subordinate to him.Make the little s.o.b roll over and realise you are the alpha wolf in this pack

Answer 7

I don't know if there is anything you can do to correct this behavior. If dogs are not taught when they are puppies to not be aggressive around food, they will continue to be so.

Answer 8

Ya you need to tell him No , That is not ok for your dog to do that I can understand with another dog but with a child no no......Try working with him before you just let him go. Just like you teach your kids right from wrong, Samething with a dog teach it right for wrong.....