We recently got a new dog (a 1 1/2 year old kelpie who is a big wuss) and our original dog has been acting funny. She's fine most of the time but when it comes to food she won't let him eat. It's not that she eats it all or anything like that. She usually leaves hers and goes and bullies him away from his by doing this preditor stare thing. So then he skulks away and won't dare go near it. It can sit there all day until she feels like it. Same with bones, she won't touch hers but she steals his and hoards it. I have to keep her away until he's finished eating now so he doesn't starve.
I just want to know if anyone has had a similar experience, what I can do to break this awful habit, and if it is normal or she is just weird. She is a staffie, just over 1yo. She's a beautiful pet apart from that.
2007-11-09 14:34:59 · 10 answers · asked by J and M 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
your dog is putting on a FABULOUS show of dominance.
she is saying...hey buddy I AM top dog around here. you get to eat when i say so!
this is normal. pecking order is normal, in the wild the alpha wolf eats first...and ONLY when he says so the others eat, and even then the alpha can chase off anyone in the pack that he wants to eat last.
you need to reassert yourself as the pack leader w/your first dog. dont think that it's being mean or that she will be upset cause she thinks you dont like her as much as the new dog..dogs dont think like that (that's a human mentality).
your dog will say, Oh...okay boss. sorry..
and that's it!
you need to tell her that she is not allowed to do that. she needs to know that that is YOUR food,not hers, and she doesn't get to be the boss.
so when she starts to go over there...you tell her firmly NO. and redirect her to her food. if she continues this...take her out of the room entirely and allow the other dog to eat in peace. then let her eat. it's a lesson for her. and it will make sure to get across to both dogs at the same time who is boss.
2007-11-09 14:42:21 · answer #1 · answered by ☆MWφM☆ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't let the dog repeat this behavior, it will only get more pronounced. Feed them separately or monitor the dogs so you can intervene if the dog tries to get the other dog's things. Also, teach the bully dog to give things to you when you ask. Do this by offering something better in return. So have a piece of cheese and ask for the bone back. Then give the bone back, repeat and repeat this until the dog thinks it's a cool game. This way if you need to take something away from the dog you can.
www.fearfuldogs.com
2007-11-09 23:47:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a normal behavior for dogs, but it is one that you want to check before it escalates. The staffie is telling your other dog that she is above him in the pack. Fights over food and bones can break out once your new dog decides to start challenging her position in the pack.
You are alpha dog, and you need to make that known to both dogs. You are in control over the resources (food, toys, activities, etc.) therefore, you control the pack. You tell them when both of them get to eat....the staffie has no say in the matter. Continue feeding your other dog seperately from her. Monitor their activities closely when playing with bones (I find that bones, rawhide, pig ears, etc. cause more problems than others like rope, nyla, kong toys, etc.) You are also in control of play time. So if you decide it is out of control with the toys, take them away. When you want to play fetch or something (and you should spend time alone playing with each dog,) you initiate the activity and you say when the game is over.
Good luck!
2007-11-09 14:58:01 · answer #3 · answered by KS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try spraying her in the face the moment she starts to even look at the other dog and say, "leave him" in a stern voice while feeding time is going on. Keep their food like 5 feet apart. Carry the spray bottle w/u all the time while your w/them. Hope it works. Good luck.
2007-11-09 14:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by zeezahs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are going to have to referee at feeding time, i'm afraid... i have a lab who will go over to the other dog's dish and just start eating his food, as if he's not even there.
she knows better, and knows i don't approve, but will do it in a heartbeat when i'm not looking
by the way i think your dog is trying to show the new dog who the Alpha animal is in your home... HER!
take care.
2007-11-09 15:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by letterstoheather 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of dogs are weird about food. Its a way of asserting dominance over the new dog. Feed them separately.
2007-11-09 14:42:01 · answer #6 · answered by naomi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As someone said desperation and dedication. The Tamil Tigers are a group of criminals, purely outstripped of their depravity through the Sri Lankan authorities whose regulations over the a lengthy time period have made any concepts of a sensible Tamil independence move thoroughly ridiculous. Please do safeguard your interest in this tale, the Tamils are being marched into camps and heaven purely is familiar with what's going to be accomplished to them there.
2016-10-23 23:06:00 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is the only problem, feed them separately! How long have you had this new dog? I think that if your first dog continues to show signs that indicate how intolerant of this new dog she is, consult an animal behaviorist!
2007-11-09 14:41:06 · answer #8 · answered by cashew 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
100% in agreement with Howlicious on this, with the additional comment that if you serve your older dog first and insist that she wait for you to put her food down, you're establishing yourself as the ultimate pack leader.
2007-11-09 14:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by Leslie L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Food issues can fester into bigger issues. You should feed them seperately, like in seperate rooms or a kennel with a divider in it so they can't see each other.
2007-11-09 14:42:16 · answer #10 · answered by squaregraysmilingfaceyadefault 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋