Dog snapped at me when eating

Neilw

Hi all,

I gave my dog a few bit's of chicken on a plate today, she was licking the plate clean when I went to pick it up and she made a snap at my hand. She barely nipped me

Straight away she was chastised by way of a spray of water in the face.

Is there anything I can do to stop this.
The dog is very driven by food, she is two years old and has no other behavior problems.

Thanks,
Neil.

Ger the man

She thinks your taking her food away from her - wait until she walks away from it, then pick the plate up.

Neilw

Ger the man wrote: »

She thinks your taking her food away from her - wait until she walks away from it, then pick the plate up.

I understand that, there was nothing left on the plate when I went to pick it up. It's my own fault but I would like to know if there is any training I could do to stop this.

ronbyrne2005

Ger the man wrote: »

She thinks your taking her food away from her - wait until she walks away from it, then pick the plate up.

No, dog was obviously rehomed and such behaviour should have been tested for. My pup is very food driven but would never do that even if i took food from his mouth.

Neilw

ronbyrne2005 wrote: »

No, dog was obviously rehomed and such behaviour should have been tested for. My pup is very food driven but would never do that even if i took food from his mouth.

She was not a rescue or rehomed, have her from an 8 week old pup. I have taken bones out of her mouth that have been cought in her teeth before with no problems. She takes treats from my hand no problem.

Huggles

Is it possible that she thought you might have been giving her more food from your hand and she snapped for that reason?

My dogs are often over zealous in that instance...

Neilw

Huggles wrote: »

Is it possible that she thought you might have been giving her more food from your hand and she snapped for that reason?

My dogs are often over zealous in that instance...

I doubt it, she is very gentle taking food from my hand and she made a slight growl and snapped when I went to pick up the plate.

Xennon

She snapped at you because she is your superior in the pack and she did not give you permission to take the plate. You need to take charge of the feeding process and only allow her to eat when you wish it, otherwise this will become more of an issue as she ages.

IKOS

Neilw wrote: »

I doubt it, she is very gentle taking food from my hand and she made a slight growl and snapped when I went to pick up the plate.

Hi Neliw,

hope this gets sorted out for you. Maybe you can contact the IKC? www.ikc.ie or here is a link i seen today http://ikc.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=23&Itemid=38

Seems to be a few obedience training places listed there.

Hope it helps!

The Sweeper

It's a dominance issue. Food aggression can be a big problem with dogs just because if it becomes a regular thing, you risk injury interfering with the dog when it's eating. This could include you absent mindedly going to put another piece of food in the dog's dish while it's eating and suddenly it takes the fingers off you.

There is a training method to do with distracting the dog and adding more food to the bowl, so it associates your interference with a reward and looks forward to you coming over at feeding time, instead of becoming aggressive in case you take food away. However, it's difficult to explain it here, and you'd be better off spending some time with a trainer to show you properly, in person, how you do it.

Neilw

Xennon wrote: »

She snapped at you because she is your superior in the pack and she did not give you permission to take the plate. You need to take charge of the feeding process and only allow her to eat when you wish it, otherwise this will become more of an issue as she ages.

I thought I was on top of that. She only gets fed after we eat and only when we decide.

What would you recommend to do?

Sleipnir

Xennon wrote: »

She snapped at you because she is your superior in the pack and she did not give you permission to take the plate. You need to take charge of the feeding process and only allow her to eat when you wish it, otherwise this will become more of an issue as she ages.

I don't think it's quite that simple though. What about their natural instinct to defend their food? Dogs were animals long before they were pets.

As already suggested, just let the dog finish; it's just good manners. I'd be annoyed if a waiter took my plate away before I was finished. Granted, I wouldn't try to bite him but then, I'm not a dog.

My dog was absolutely obedient in every way but give him a bone and he's take it and go down to the end of the garden and would growl if anyone went near him. So we just left him be till he was done. He didn't require training just for that.

Neilw

Sleipnir wrote: »

I don't think it's quite that simple though. What about their natural instinct to defend their food? Dogs were animals long before they were pets.

As already suggested, just let the dog finish; it's just good manners. I'd be annoyed if a waiter took my plate away before I was finished. Granted, I wouldn't try to bite him but then, I'm not a dog.

My dog was absolutely obedient in every way but give him a bone and he's take it and go down to the end of the garden and would growl if anyone went near him. So we just left him be till he was done. He didn't require training just for that.

I totally understand it was my fault. It was the first time she has done anything like this and is very well behaved otherwise. I posted as I don't want it to escalate into a bigger problem. I have a 7year old nephew who plays with her and I don't want him harmed.
As you mentioned, she gets the odd bone and disappears down the garden with it and is left to her own devices.

Sleipnir

Neilw wrote: »

I totally understand it was my fault. It was the first time she has done anything like this and is very well behaved otherwise. I posted as I don't want it to escalate into a bigger problem. I have a 7year old nephew who plays with her and I don't want him harmed.
As you mentioned, she gets the odd bone and disappears down the garden with it and is left to her own devices.

I wouldn't worry about it unless there are other behavioral problems. I'd say you just unknowingly snuck up on her and she just did it instinctively.

I got the odd snap from all my dogs. Even Chippy with who I could balance a biscuit on his nose, leave the room, come back a minute or two later and it would still be there. A puddle of slobber forming on the floor but still.
Couldn't go near him when he had a bone though.

Neilw

Sleipnir wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about it unless there are other behavioral problems. I'd say you just unknowingly snuck up on her and she just did it instinctively.

I got the odd snap from all my dogs. Even Chippy with who I could balance a biscuit on his nose, leave the room, come back a minute or two later and it would still be there. A puddle of slobber forming on the floor but still.
Couldn't go near him when he had a bone though.

I could be making a mountain out of a molehill but I don't want her to end up ruling the roost.

Thanks for the help btw

bushy...

As well as she possibly thinking she is your superior , she may also be have been thinking ( licking plate = not finished = unhappy with the waiter ) she would never see it again.
Next time you give her a bone to chew , leave her have it for an hour say , go down and take it off her for a few minutes , then give it back to her.

SmellySockies

I think maybe you could build up trust a bit with your dog and food. My dog was the same but hes fine now. I never needed gloves to do this but maybe you should wear some gardening gloves and just feed him from your hand and say good boy in a calm reasuring voice. Keep doing this to build up the trust with the dog so he understands you are the giver of food not the taker.
Goodluck

Xennon

Dogs live in packs, that's where they are happiest, you and your family are part of her pack. If the pack leader comes over to a member dogs food the "weaker" dog will walk away leaving their food to the leader. If however the "weaker" dog tries to take the pack leaders food they will first get snarled at, then if they persist they will get a quick reminder who the boss is, if still they persist you end up with a fight for the position of pack leader (very messy).

To feed her I would suggest putting the food on the floor, but do not allow her to eat it until you want her to. You must OWN the food as such, and make her aware that YOU own it. If she goes for you, you MUST quickly let her know who the boss is or else she will assume the position, and she will own you basically.

Dogs aren't that hard to understand, as long as you realise they are dogs and not humans, we have different mechanisms to them, theirs is a far simpler world based on hierarchy and boundaries, give them that and they are content.

sorella

It may be also the heat?

There is another thread re dogs being off their food.

I know I am and am a bit cranky also

kildara

Hi OP,

My lad was had an protective issue when eating, he'd occasionally growl when you went near him. I used to be under the impression (and still am to some extent) that if I wanted, I should be able to go near the dog if he was eating something, and he should never growl or have issues with it.

My thinking was that if he had something in his mouth that he shouldnt have (eg, chicken bone, rat poison) that I should be able to go and take it out without losing a few digits!
I also respect that he should be left alone while eating - as Sleipnir said, I wouldn't be too happy with someone taking my food away from me.


I mentioned this to the dog trainer, who said I should leave the dog alone until he is finished. Nice in theory, but what about the rat poison scenario?
She suggested feeding the dog in stages: i.e.
- Get two bowls for the dog.
- Put a bit of his food into first dish and let him eat it
- When he is finished that much, give him another little bit in the second dish and remove the first, finished dish.
- When he is finished this, give him more in the first dish, and remove the other empty one... Continue until its all gone.
Do this for a while, then gradually, while the dog is eating from the first dish, put the second dish down and he will go to the while leaving a bit in the first one. Remove and put in more food and again put on the floor and remove the other.
(hope that all makes sense!)

Over time, the dog associates you taking the dish away as being a good thing - ie, he gets more food, you're not taking it away from him.


I still wont go near our boy when he has a bone though!
Its still funny watching the young pup trying to take it! She constantly pushes him, even after he pins her by the throat. I used to jump in and stop it but he just holds here there, she stops, and then he goes back to the bone - after 15 minutes she goes for it again, he pins her...



Hope this helps.

Neilw

Thanks for all the help and advice, lot's to think about there. I will give the two bowl feeding a try.

Interceptor

I'm with Xennon on this one - I don't know you or your dog and this os only one opinion. Does your dog do what you tell it? I put down food bowls and give a 'Stay' command - neither dog moves until I give a 'Good dog' command even though they are sitting three feet from the bowls.

This is easy to train but you must be consistent about making the dog 'Sit', then 'Stay' and put the food down while keeping a hand on the dog. Release your grip but keep the 'Stay' active with eye contact or an open hand. Then let the dog eat with a 'Good dog' and a pat on the head.

This gives a clear 'I provide the food, you must get my permission to eat it' message and has worked well for me for years on different dogs.

Showing a child how to be dominant is a little more tricky and requires your supervision for the first while. Show the child how to give 'Sit', Stay' and 'Come here' commands - back it up yourself and show the dog that it is at the bottom of the pecking order.

I introduced chickens into my back garden and had to spend a day with the dogs, showing them that they were to protect the chickens and not eat them - the chickens now sleep curled with my Labrador.

Don't assume your dog knows anything - show it what you expect and reward good behaviour. Good luck!

'cptr

peasant

OP
How often/regularly does your dog get bits of chicken?

Ours are the most mild mannered dogs you could think of, even around their bowls. I could stick my hand in there while they're eating, no problem ...UNLESS ...there is something "special" in there.

Any food out of the ordinary, particularly left-over bits that came from our plates and they will not tolerate any interference until they're well and truly done licking the bowl (including the underside if needs be ) and walk away.

So I don't interfere ...problem solved.

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan over this "dominance and food" discussion that's going on here.
Why would anyone want or need to interfere with a dog that's feeding? Training them not pick up stuff outside or rlaese stuff they're not supposed to have is one thing ...but when they're feeding just leave the dog well alone.
We're controlling every minute of a dogs life ...at least let them eat in peace.

And as for the children argument ...kids have to leearn to leave dogs alone sometimes ...especially when they are eating.

Whispered

OP it's not your fault at all. You should be able to take any food from your dog. This idea of leaving them until they are good and ready is silly and dangerous IMO.

What if you HAD to take food, if in the instance a bone you gave him splintered, or you allowed someone absently mindedly throw meat to the dog only to notice it still as that string on it. You can't leave the dog with it, so for the dogs protection you have to be able to take food from his mouth if you want to. For us it has noting to do with dominance at all.

I don't know how to train an older dog to do it because we always, from the time Harley was tiny, would take food from him, then swap it with something else, usually more tasty so I think he associates it with a good thing when we take food from him.

calex71

Our dog wouldn't growl or snap if we tried to take food away but would grab what he could and leg it with it.

Plain and simple OP only feed the dog from HER dish so you don't need to take it away.

Some good advice given on feeding on your terms there too i think.

We got our lad into the habbit of sitting and staying before he's allowed to go near the dish when it's but down, as you say your dog is motivated by food, and food is a GREAT motivator for training dogs and people

Best of luck with her.

gillo_100

Have to agree with the re-instate your dominance idea.

Dogs are pack creatures and the dog doing this is him making a threat to your leadership. You need to let him know you are boss. If it happened again I'd say give the dog a slap, just a little one on the nose to get the message across.

We used to be able to take a bone from our dog no hassle, he'd just follow you around with a funny look, but no agressiveness, he knew who was boss.

IvySlayer

It should not be tolerated at any stage. You are the owner, if you want to take food from it's mouth, the dog should submit. End of. I hope you punished her by sending her to bed and grounding her for several hours.

helimachoptor

With my own dog, a GSD I could take the food from his mouth and he wouldn't do a thing.

It really depends on the dog.

Call me Socket

helimachoptor wrote: »

With my own dog, a GSD I could take the food from his mouth and he wouldn't do a thing.

Same here...I have 4 dogs and could stick my head into their dishes and help myself if I wanted...they'd back off.

helimachoptor wrote: »

It really depends on the dog.

I think it really depends on the owner.....

IvySlayer

helimachoptor wrote: »

With my own dog, a GSD I could take the food from his mouth and he wouldn't do a thing.

It really depends on the dog.

Most likely because he knows what would happen if he crossed the line. I don't agree with the OP spraying water on her. The dog growls at him, so he runs away to fetch some water, yep real good strength there.

OP, I don't think you should change the routine of how to feed your dog, the dog should adjust to your routine. If she does get aggressive again, show her it's not acceptable. It will be a harsh lesson for her, but one that will benefit you both.

bushy...

helimachoptor wrote: »

With my own dog, a GSD I could take the food from his mouth and he wouldn't do a thing.

It really depends on the dog.

It'd be more you know what your doing , its cr@p like this :

peasant wrote: »

OP
Any food out of the ordinary, particularly left-over bits that came from our plates and they will not tolerate any interference until they're well and truly done licking the bowl (including the underside if needs be ) and walk away.

So I don't interfere ...problem solved.

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan over this "dominance and food" discussion that's going on here.

---

Why would anyone want or need to interfere with a dog that's feeding?

---

We're controlling every minute of a dogs life ...at least let them eat in peace.

---

And as for the children argument ...kids have to leearn to leave dogs alone sometimes ...especially when they are eating.

that causes neighbours/visitors kids to get attacked by

peasant wrote: »

Ours are the most mild mannered dogs you could think of, even around their

sorella

So rude! :mad:

bushy... wrote: »

It'd be more you know what your doing , its cr@p like this :




that causes neighbours/visitors kids to get attacked by

sorella

I was thinking about this today.

Of the kind of "perfection" we expect of our dogs?

My wee one has off days; she gets a bit moody and sad. She is not a machine after all.

Just now they are both affected by the heat .

A wee bit snappy with each other. They are both dogs with thick coats.

So here is this dog; usually good mannered, well trained, and suddenly for one small lapse?

There was no real aggression; just some slightly atypical behaviour? In hot weather.

And his whole world caves in.

Would my dogs give up their food or plate? I would never ask; it is given to them. As one has said, I do not see the need for that utter degree of dominance.

peasant is right here. Bravo!

enda1

sorella wrote: »

So rude! :mad:

Harsh but fair.

If people treat dogs like equal, then they will treat us like equal.

sorella

Ae exaggerated quantum leap from this small incident.

If we treat them like dogs and not people?

enda1 wrote: »

Harsh but fair.

If people treat dogs like equal, then they will treat us like equal.

bigeasyeah

One of the first thing I was taught about handling dogs was never to mess around with them whilst eating.Dogs are natural hunters so its normal for them to be protective of food.
I had a bitch once,great temperment but you could just tell she didnt want anyone at her whilst eating.Come to think of it,Im the same way:)

peasant

bushy... wrote: »

It'd be more you know what your doing , its cr@p like this :

that causes neighbours/visitors kids to get attacked

Oh yeah ?

Isn't it more likely the "hard" men and women who rule their dogs with dominance and fear that cause them to attack?

I know my dogs, with all their strenghts and weaknesses. I respect and I protect them.
That does include respecting their privacy in important (to them) moments like feeding. I know that they see me as their leader, I don't have to force it down their throats (literally) while they're enyoing a bit of a treat.
But being their leader also carries some responsibility. For example keeping away pesky children while my dogs are feeding (or not feeding them in the first place when those children are around)

This whole "my dog knows it's place in the pack" - talk is delusional IMO.
Of course you need to teach the dog rules and "manners", but at the end of the day, a dog is a dog, a predatory animal, driven by instincts. No manner of "showing it its place" will drive that out of it.
Worst case scenario you make the dog insecure and afraid and if it should happen to lash out then, it will do so in a manner that will certainly draw blood. Not against you, of course, but against a third party that it considers weaker....the neighbours kid, for example.

My dogs have learned that no harm comes to them from humans ...not from me and not from others because I will not allow it. This is why they trust not just me but other people as well and really are the most mild mannered dogs you could ever meet.
I don't have to prove that to myself by taking away their treats. :P

Outkast_IRE

Iv had dogs my whole life all different breeds . Iv only ever had one snap at me concerning food and basically its unacceptable behaviour , thats the dog saying im the leader dont touch my food .
My reaction was to grab the dog and in one swift action push in to the floor expose its belly and have a hand around their neck , do this in a stern action but obviously dont hurt the dog theirs no need they understand pretty quickly whos boss after that.
Why do i do this? because in the wild this is how a pack leader would make another dog understand .
Every other dog iv owned would never snap and i can trust with kids no problem becuase they understand snapping or any form or biting is not acceptable unless its with a play toy.

peasant

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Why do i do this? because in the wild this is how a pack leader would make another dog understand .

Errr, no ...

In the wild, this is how the pack leader would attempt to KILL the other dog.

The wildlife shots that you see on telly where one dog (or wolf) is on its back, exposing its belly to the leader came about because the other dog is doing so by itself. Its called ritualised submissive behaviour.

bushy...

sorella wrote: »

My wee one has off days; she gets a bit moody and sad. She is not a machine after all.
Just now they are both affected by the heat .
A wee bit snappy with each other. They are both dogs with thick coats.

Almost everything is unhappy when its excessively warm , that's perfectly understandable.

sorella wrote: »

So rude! :mad:

How else could I put it ?

Its not a personal attack.

Bad enough having your own dogs like that if they are in public places without passing on the advice through a post.

I think a lot of the attacks on kids by dogs they were playing with a few minutes before are food related.
Kids visit say grandparents for a day , get a few sweets , drop one near their dog , go to pick it up etc etc --- very realistic scenario.

peasant

bushy... wrote: »

Bad enough having your own dogs like that if they are in public places

When my dogs are in public places they are under my control at all times. I keep them on a lead and I control who they have access to and who has access to them and in what way.

bushy... wrote: »

I think a lot of the attacks on kids by dogs they were playing with a few minutes before are food related.
Kids visit say grandparents for a day , get a few sweets , drop one near their dog , go to pick it up etc etc --- very realistic scenario.

One word ...supervision!


That scenario painted above could just as well happen with a dog that allows YOU to take away its food at any time. Just because YOU can do it does not mean anyone can ...don't delude yourself there.
There is no such thing as a perfectly safe dog. The sooner you realise that and act accordingly, the better.

bushy...

peasant wrote: »

Oh yeah ?

Isn't it more likely the "hard" men and women who rule their dogs with dominance and fear that cause them to attack?

Nothing to do with being "hard" or remotely cruel at all.

peasant wrote: »

I know my dogs, with all their strenghts and weaknesses. I respect and I protect them.
That does include respecting their privacy in important (to them) moments like feeding. I know that they see me as their leader, I don't have to force it down their throats (literally) while they're enyoing a bit of a treat.
But being their leader also carries some responsibility. For example keeping away pesky children while my dogs are feeding (or not feeding them in the first place when those children are around)

No-one is saying to annoy the hell out of them everytime you feed them.

peasant wrote: »

This whole "my dog knows it's place in the pack" - talk is delusional IMO.
Of course you need to teach the dog rules and "manners", but at the end of the day, a dog is a dog, a predatory animal, driven by instincts. No manner of "showing it its place" will drive that out of it.
Worst case scenario you make the dog insecure and afraid and if it should happen to lash out then, it will do so in a manner that will certainly draw blood. Not against you, of course, but against a third party that it considers weaker....the neighbours kid, for example.

What is all that about ?

Nothing to do with

peasant wrote: »

"showing it its place"

That just shows poor grasp of it all imo.

Much more to do with making the dog well aware that there is no need to panic or attack if someone takes food away from them.

peasant wrote: »

My dogs have learned that no harm comes to them from humans ...not from me and not from others because I will not allow it. This is why they trust not just me but other people as well and really are the most mild mannered dogs you could ever meet.
I don't have to prove that to myself by taking away their treats. :P

Like I said , its far from a personal attack .
That line plus the peculiar use of a smiley makes me think you see this as some sort of attack on your authoitaaaay over your dogs.

peasant

bushy... wrote: »

That just shows poor grasp of it all imo.

Ok ...so maybe I misunderstood.

Kindly explain then how you go about to ensure that your dog will never, ever bite anyone that disturbs it while its eating a particularly juicy bone that you just gave to it a few minutes ago?

Outkast_IRE

peasant wrote: »

Errr, no ...

In the wild, this is how the pack leader would attempt to KILL the other dog.

The wildlife shots that you see on telly where one dog (or wolf) is on its back, exposing its belly to the leader came about because the other dog is doing so by itself. Its called ritualised submissive behaviour.

Yes exactly ritualised submissive behaviour and if the dog does not does not submit, which is what happens when a dog snaps at you it is then no longer submissive . In any pack most battles are never fought tooth and nail , however in a pack if a lower member attacks then it can only be responded to with a quick blunt response otherwise he has just asserted his dominance over you.

bushy...

peasant wrote: »

Ok ...so maybe I misunderstood.

Apologies if you did , I should have tidied it up before i posted.

peasant wrote: »

Kindly explain then how you go about to ensure that your dog will never, ever bite anyone that disturbs it while its eating a particularly juicy bone that you just gave to it a few minutes ago?

In the same way you can never,ever be sure that it won't be your kid who says " I don't like Mondays, this livens up the day " , you can't.

I'm very sure there are other/better ways but anyway has worked for me/us :
(expect to be bitten ) first time you give them a juicy bone ( not every time or you'd deserve to eaten for being a PITA ) , go down and take it off them after a while.
If they go nuts when they get chicken or something , break it in small pieces and feed them by hand nice and slowly but without annoying them . Seems like you have to do this every now n again or they forget.

I don't see it as trying to control every area of their lives , more reassuring them that there is a plentiful supply of food and no need to panic.

peasant

bushy... wrote: »

I'm very sure there are other/better ways but anyway has worked for me/us :
(expect to be bitten ) first time you give them a juicy bone ( not every time or you'd deserve to eaten for being a PITA ) , go down and take it off them after a while.
If they go nuts when they get chicken or something , break it in small pieces and feed them by hand nice and slowly but without annoying them . Seems like you have to do this every now n again or they forget.

I don't see it as trying to control every area of their lives , more reassuring them that there is a plentiful supply of food and no need to panic.

Yes, I see your point and a I agree (to a point) that training your dog to release food is a good idea.
Done right it will strengthen the trust between you and could lessen any possessivness issues the dog may have around food.

But it still is no guarantee that the dog won't snap at someone else when it is disturbed while feeding.

(not directed at you, bushy)
Done wrong however it could have the opposite effect. The dog may learn that it had better release its food to its dominant owner/handler (because said owner has driven home that message forcefully several times) but with the wrong dog it may also strengthen its resolve to not give in to anyone else. One of the effects of constantly driving home the dominance message is that while the dog may accept that it isn't "top dog" it may also resolve to be at least second in command ...and the day will come when it can prove just that to some unsuspecting stranger or the neighbours kid. (and it wont stop at just a warning growl or a little nip)

Whispered

peasant wrote: »

Ok ...so maybe I misunderstood.

Kindly explain then how you go about to ensure that your dog will never, ever bite anyone that disturbs it while its eating a particularly juicy bone that you just gave to it a few minutes ago?

But what if you DONT give it the bone. Or if a particulary silly guest throws the dog something you usually don't allow it to have. I completly understand what you are saying about not needing to assert dominence, but don't you think it's wise to have the dog at the level where if you need to remove something from his mouth you can? (not just for the sake of it)

EDIT: I just saw your above post. ^^

sorella

That is a different scenario from routine feeding though.

Most will respond to emergency commands.

helena.ryan wrote: »

But what if you DONT give it the bone. Or if a particulary silly guest throws the dog something you usually don't allow it to have. I completly understand what you are saying about not needing to assert dominence, but don't you think it's wise to have the dog at the level where if you need to remove something from his mouth you can? (not just for the sake of it)

EDIT: I just saw your above post. ^^

Whispered

sorella wrote: »

That is a different scenario from routine feeding though.

Most will respond to emergency commands.

But how do you know? You need to be sure the dog will respond to an emergency command by training it to do so.

I know that if needs be Harley will drop food should I tell him too. It came in handy yesterday evening with a bone I had accidently left out in the heat. But he wouldn't drop it had he not been trained to drop it.

luckat

NeilW, a question: how did the dog behave after the snap? Was she obviously completely embarrassed, or did she look annoyed?

And an answer, well, a two-part thought, anyway.

1) Dominance doesn't mean bullying - it means that your dog looks to you as her leader and protector and guide. You've obviously set this up nicely.

2) I trained my dog to sit and wait when her food was put down, and only eat when I invited her to. This wasn't dominance and it wasn't cruelty - it was because my parents, when old, had a rowdy young dog who knocked them off their feet rushing for food, and it was dangerous. I also trained her to take treats gently from my fingers.

Usually when I put her food down, we do a bit of a game - I fill the food (dry food) into the bowl, then take one extra piece and give it to her with my fingers, or throw it for her to snap up in mid-air. It's kind of a jokey dance between us.

I wouldn't just pick up her dish when she was at it, though, I think - I'd say to her: "Leave" or "Give", so she'd know to stand back for me to take it.

helimachoptor

peasant wrote: »

Yes, I see your point and a I agree (to a point) that training your dog to release food is a good idea.
Done right it will strengthen the trust between you and could lessen any possessivness issues the dog may have around food.

But it still is no guarantee that the dog won't snap at someone else when it is disturbed while feeding.

(not directed at you, bushy)
Done wrong however it could have the opposite effect. The dog may learn that it had better release its food to its dominant owner/handler (because said owner has driven home that message forcefully several times) but with the wrong dog it may also strengthen its resolve to not give in to anyone else. One of the effects of constantly driving home the dominance message is that while the dog may accept that it isn't "top dog" it may also resolve to be at least second in command ...and the day will come when it can prove just that to some unsuspecting stranger or the neighbours kid. (and it wont stop at just a warning growl or a little nip)

Again I would agree to a point regarding this. Firstly the dog is mine, I mostly feed him, give him water etc. He gets treats from me and only me. For example Pedigree jumbones are his favourite and he is like a child when he sees the wrapper. However I can take this away when I want. Now its something I've done maybe once or twice. My GF would never attempt this or moving his normal food bowl while feeding as she would be worried what would happen.

Now I had a few GSDs when I was younger and obviously I would never try this then as they could have eaten me! But now I am his owner, I love him, I have never hit him, runned his nose in his s**t etc. He knows i'm angry if I raise my voice and thats enough for him to realise that I'm unhappy.

Also due to the sheer size of my dog many people wont go near him never mind attempt to feed him! But some do and its not a problem.

Finally I think that once you have a loving relationship with your dog and it respects you growling etc wont happen.

Not once has my dog barked, nipped, tried to bite me even once when I stood on his foot in size 11 work boots