Labrador with dog feeding aggression

by cindy
(whitehall, pa)

Question

We have a yellow lab that is 11 months old. we were told that labs are great dogs so we got her.

We have two other dog a huskie and small mix. We find ourselves with marley's evil twin sister.

Our major problem is when it comes to feeding her. She gulps down her food. A trainer told us to water down her food like a paste and put it on a tray. Didn't work she still eats way to fast.

But the biggest problem is she will bite and growl at anyone including the other dogs if you go near.

We have to lock her in her cage just to get the food out.

She starts as soon as you go near the dog food. Feeding time is hell.

I'm so afraid and nervous when it is feeding time. She becomes a totally different dog.

Is there something we can do to stop this behavor?

I'm starting to seriously think something is wrong with her and we're thinking of getting rid of her.

Please help us

Answer

Dog food agression is very common and must be taken care of immediately, if not it could get out of hand very easily.

One of the things that is said to help with this kind of aggression is simply giving your dog more exercise. A tired dog is less likely to act in this way.

Another major factor is stress levels at feeding time. A more relaxed stress free dog is less likely to act out. I would even possibly try feeding your lab away from other people and away from your other 2 dogs.

I have never experienced this behavious with my lab, however I did a bit of research and read the following tip somewhere. Basically, just before your lab realises it is feeding time leash her and and secure the other end somewhere. Prepare her food and once it is in her bowl, place it on the floor and using a long stick so that your hands are nowhere near her mouth, push the bowl towards her.

Whenever she seems like she is getting aggressive or you notice her starting to act up, withdraw her bowl using the stick and wait for her to calm down. Use kind words of encouragement and when she does settle down, move the food back so that she can carry on eating.

This will hopefully help her realise that when she is calm she will get her food. When she does calm down and is eating again, tell her she is a 'good girl' and use a lot of positive reinforcement. Never use any negatives, like shouting at her if she starts getting aggressive, positives will always work better.

Dogs behave in this way either to establish a dominance or when they are worried they will not get their food.

You need to teach your dog that you are the one that is in charge and not her.

It is very important to have regular feeding times so that she knows and is safe with the fact that food is not in short supply and she does needs to fight for it.

I hope this helps you with your problems. Please let us know how it goes.

If anyone else has experienced this with their dog, please share with us how you managed to stop this behaviour.