food guarding!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pinky71 · 10-29-2012, 11:35 AM

feeding time has become a nightmare..my sweet baby becomes demonic!! his fangs come out and he is in full aggression mode..i basically put the food down...i make him sit first, and then place it in his xpen...he will immediately start to growl and wont eat until i walk away...if i attempt to come near him, all hell breaks loose...he is almost 7 months and weighs 9lbs...any help or advice? i know at this point i have to contact a behaviorist...he has already bitten me several times.

yorkietalkjilly · 10-29-2012, 12:00 PM

Yeah, he needs you to work with a behaviorist and learn how to teach him to redirect and desensitize to the situation. Get one who leans heavily on teaching you how to deal with your dog as a positive, loving but firm leader of your little pack, as the problem is yours and not the dog's at this point.

You are going in the right direction in making him sit & wait for his food but he actually doesn't respect you as his pack leader or he would never behave aggressively or defensively during feeding. You are temporarily lacking some techniques in how you interact with him, or perhaps allow him to get away with, which is presently reinforcing the idea in his mind that you are tentative or uncomfortable in how you deal with him. You can learn how to change that and be positive, upbeat & keep him loved & happy in the process.

Once you learn how to establish yourself as a true leader, your dog will never even think about growling around you over his things as he will see you as his pack leader and love it. Don't worry - few are born with skills like this but they can readily be taught to you. In the meantime, Google and read some of the websites about the Nothing In Life Is Free method of dealing with dogs. It will help him begin to see you as his absolute leader(dogs are canines and understand pack mentality and hierarchy and need and want strong leadership so they don't have to assume it themselves, as they really do hate growling at us, being surly). Further, it will open him up to honoring your approach toward his food by backing away. That's how dogs do when their pack leader walks up when they are eating. It's just a courtesy, like we nod our heads to someone who walks by us.

Good luck finding some behavior help & don't worry, your baby can be changed to a happy, well-behaved little sweetie with some good training for both of you. In the meantime, read all that you can about positive-reinforcement obedience training and becoming your dog's leader. Stay away from anything that trains using harsh discipline or anything like that! Love, patience and fun training works better!

Yorkiemom1 · 10-29-2012, 02:17 PM

How old was this baby when you got him? Has he always beren this way or has this progressively deteriorated to the point it is now?

pinky71 · 10-29-2012, 02:53 PM

i have had him since 11 weeks..i got him from a good breeder..he has had alot of love..he only started to display the behavior in last few weeks and has gotton worse...i have backed off from spoiling and treating him like a human baby...

mimimomo · 10-29-2012, 04:36 PM

Just throwing an idea out there...since this was so sudden, wondering if he should be seen by a vet for any underlying health issue (like lyme disease or thyroid dysfunction) b4 seeing a behaviorist?

Yorkiemom1 · 10-29-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Just throwing an idea out there...since this was so sudden, wondering if he should be seen by a vet for any underlying health issue (like lyme disease or thyroid dysfunction) b4 seeing a behaviorist?

This is what I am thinking.....I was asking you this to see if you got him as a little baby and you had allowed him to do this because it was "cute" and now, you have a tiger by the tail....does not appear that you have fdone that at all...I think he needs to be worked up for something physical/metabolic/endocrinologic/neurologic....I am concern with this sudden onset, there is an underlying medical cause. I would take him to a vat school...they have all the specialists and cutting edge technology and equipment going on there....they can help you....I would certainly rule out a medical issue before I concentrated on a behavorist. I just noticed you are in Boston...praying for your safety during this storm....

mimimomo · 10-29-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

This is what I am thinking.....I was asking you this to see if you got him as a little baby and you had allowed him to do this because it was "cute" and now, you have a tiger by the tail....does not appear that you have fdone that at all...I think he needs to be worked up for something physical/metabolic/endocrinologic/neurologic....I am concern with this sudden onset, there is an underlying medical cause. I would take him to a vat school...they have all the specialists and cutting edge technology and equipment going on there....they can help you....I would certainly rule out a medical issue before I concentrated on a behavorist. I just noticed you are in Boston...praying for your safety during this storm....

I was thinking this was why you were asking.

pinky71 · 10-30-2012, 03:30 PM

the vet gave him a clean bill of health..i cant believe how much a behavorist charges...325 per hr!!!

Yorkiemom1 · 10-30-2012, 05:33 PM

Lordy! Clearly, I chose the wrong career!!!!!!!!

lexipoo · 10-30-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Lordy! Clearly, I chose the wrong career!!!!!!!!

Right!! Me too......

lexipoo · 10-30-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinky71

the vet gave him a clean bill of health..i cant believe how much a behavorist charges...325 per hr!!!

Good luck with your little one hopefully you can find something that will help him with this.....wish a little could rub off on Lexi as we have to tell her the squirrels are going to get her food if she doesn't eat...that usually will at least make her grawl and go to her food dish and look at it

Potter · 11-01-2012, 09:43 AM

Have you tried putting food in your hands and feed it to him? Don't give him the food bowl at all..feed from your hands sitting down facing sideways to him? Would he still bite if he knows all good thing comes from you?

LILBIT1 · 11-01-2012, 09:52 AM

Things I have learned with this breed. This is our first time having a small dog. Used to have large dogs.
You HAVE to establish YOU are the pack leader. You can do that by NEVER letting the dog threw a doorway before you go threw. Also NEVER feeding the dog before you eat. He or she must see you as the leader or you get horrible behavior problems. Waffles knows im the leader. I baby her, spoil her, but she still knows im the pack leader. She will walk to doorway and sit and wait for me to walk threw then look at me to signnal her she may come threw. Try petco, they have books on behaviour, and some of their trainers know how to teach you to become the pack leader.Good luck. hugs

pinky71 · 11-04-2012, 03:27 PM

well to update on my situation, his food guarding has become worse...ive tried feeding him from my hand but ive got bitten pretty bad...I basically cant come 2Ft near him before he starts to growl....i found a very good trainer who came to my house and spent 2 hours with my baby..Lots of great information..i now have to try to throw chicken into his playpen and bowl so he can associate me being around as positive..meal times are very stressful for him..trainer is going to come back for 2 more sessions..i have homework to do...anyway trainer says this is a very serious issue but with patience and training it can be corrected..i hope so!! she is all for positive training and counter conditioning... trainers are not cheap!!!

Verbena · 11-04-2012, 04:09 PM

I am glad you found some help. Good luck and keep us updated. ((Hug))

10-29-2012, 11:35 AM	#1
pinky71 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: boston Posts: 59	food guarding!! feeding time has become a nightmare..my sweet baby becomes demonic!! his fangs come out and he is in full aggression mode..i basically put the food down...i make him sit first, and then place it in his xpen...he will immediately start to growl and wont eat until i walk away...if i attempt to come near him, all hell breaks loose...he is almost 7 months and weighs 9lbs...any help or advice? i know at this point i have to contact a behaviorist...he has already bitten me several times.

10-29-2012, 12:00 PM	#2
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	Yeah, he needs you to work with a behaviorist and learn how to teach him to redirect and desensitize to the situation. Get one who leans heavily on teaching you how to deal with your dog as a positive, loving but firm leader of your little pack, as the problem is yours and not the dog's at this point. You are going in the right direction in making him sit & wait for his food but he actually doesn't respect you as his pack leader or he would never behave aggressively or defensively during feeding. You are temporarily lacking some techniques in how you interact with him, or perhaps allow him to get away with, which is presently reinforcing the idea in his mind that you are tentative or uncomfortable in how you deal with him. You can learn how to change that and be positive, upbeat & keep him loved & happy in the process. Once you learn how to establish yourself as a true leader, your dog will never even think about growling around you over his things as he will see you as his pack leader and love it. Don't worry - few are born with skills like this but they can readily be taught to you. In the meantime, Google and read some of the websites about the Nothing In Life Is Free method of dealing with dogs. It will help him begin to see you as his absolute leader(dogs are canines and understand pack mentality and hierarchy and need and want strong leadership so they don't have to assume it themselves, as they really do hate growling at us, being surly). Further, it will open him up to honoring your approach toward his food by backing away. That's how dogs do when their pack leader walks up when they are eating. It's just a courtesy, like we nod our heads to someone who walks by us. Good luck finding some behavior help & don't worry, your baby can be changed to a happy, well-behaved little sweetie with some good training for both of you. In the meantime, read all that you can about positive-reinforcement obedience training and becoming your dog's leader. Stay away from anything that trains using harsh discipline or anything like that! Love, patience and fun training works better! __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

10-29-2012, 04:36 PM	#5
mimimomo Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,874	Just throwing an idea out there...since this was so sudden, wondering if he should be seen by a vet for any underlying health issue (like lyme disease or thyroid dysfunction) b4 seeing a behaviorist? __________________ Jenny Mimi Momo Princess Turbo Madan Pin Brush: www.toplinepet.com

11-01-2012, 09:43 AM	#12
Potter YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,583	Have you tried putting food in your hands and feed it to him? Don't give him the food bowl at all..feed from your hands sitting down facing sideways to him? Would he still bite if he knows all good thing comes from you? __________________ http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=410379 "No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

11-01-2012, 09:52 AM	#13
LILBIT1 Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside County, Ca Posts: 867 Blog Entries: 9	Things I have learned with this breed. This is our first time having a small dog. Used to have large dogs. You HAVE to establish YOU are the pack leader. You can do that by NEVER letting the dog threw a doorway before you go threw. Also NEVER feeding the dog before you eat. He or she must see you as the leader or you get horrible behavior problems. Waffles knows im the leader. I baby her, spoil her, but she still knows im the pack leader. She will walk to doorway and sit and wait for me to walk threw then look at me to signnal her she may come threw. Try petco, they have books on behaviour, and some of their trainers know how to teach you to become the pack leader.Good luck. hugs __________________ http://instagram.com/wafflesthewonderdog/ https://www.facebook.com/wafflesthewonderdog Kathy Waffles

10-29-2012, 02:17 PM	#3
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	How old was this baby when you got him? Has he always beren this way or has this progressively deteriorated to the point it is now?

10-29-2012, 02:53 PM	#4
pinky71 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: boston Posts: 59	i have had him since 11 weeks..i got him from a good breeder..he has had alot of love..he only started to display the behavior in last few weeks and has gotton worse...i have backed off from spoiling and treating him like a human baby...

10-30-2012, 03:30 PM	#8
pinky71 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: boston Posts: 59	the vet gave him a clean bill of health..i cant believe how much a behavorist charges...325 per hr!!!

10-30-2012, 05:33 PM	#9
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	Lordy! Clearly, I chose the wrong career!!!!!!!!

11-04-2012, 03:27 PM	#14
pinky71 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: boston Posts: 59	well to update on my situation, his food guarding has become worse...ive tried feeding him from my hand but ive got bitten pretty bad...I basically cant come 2Ft near him before he starts to growl....i found a very good trainer who came to my house and spent 2 hours with my baby..Lots of great information..i now have to try to throw chicken into his playpen and bowl so he can associate me being around as positive..meal times are very stressful for him..trainer is going to come back for 2 more sessions..i have homework to do...anyway trainer says this is a very serious issue but with patience and training it can be corrected..i hope so!! she is all for positive training and counter conditioning... trainers are not cheap!!!

11-04-2012, 04:09 PM	#15
Verbena Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: with my flying monkeys Posts: 15,620 Blog Entries: 7	I am glad you found some help. Good luck and keep us updated. ((Hug))