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04-08-2005, 01:46 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 24
| Growling and Biting I seem to have a very serious problem developing with my Cassius. When I first got him at the tender age of 10weeks, he would growl if I came near his bowl and gestured as if I were going to take his food away from him. I thought he was doing this because he had competition for the food supply at the breeders. very shortly after, he became 'at home' and the growling when I approached his food dish has stopped. Well, just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water, yesterday evening I gave him a greenie. I wanted to hold him while he ate it becuase after reading all the the threads on the subjuct of greenies, I am now very caution. When I tried to pick him up, he put his head down and growled. When I said no and attempted to pick him up anyway, he growled louder. Well he won that fight. He then took the greenie to one of his beds to munch. After a while he started looking around as if he'd lost it so I went over to help him find it. That was a mistake. The minute I reached down into his bed to see if it had falled in between the cushions, he growled very loudly and nipped my hand. I said 'no' very firmly but he still wouldn't let me anywhere near the bed. I gave up and just watched him from a close distance until he was down. Once completed, I got my ole' sweet Cassius back. Can someone tell me what this is all about and how can I put a stop to it. Need help soon, or there goes his treats...;o)
__________________ Cassius "CASH" Clay |
Welcome Guest! | |
04-08-2005, 01:51 PM | #2 |
Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tontitown Arkansas
Posts: 4,909
| Have you by chance talked with your breeder about his behavior? Especially since he came to you this way? Did he receive a good check up at the vet?, maybe he doesn't feel too well? I can only suggest training him to learn that you are the "alpha" in the home. Also, he must do something positive to receive anything, meals, treats, petting, etc...I am thinking he will come around and be more loving and pleasing to you. Keep your chin up and with patience and positive reinforcement Cassius will probably get more happy. Keep contacting the breeder also over this, maybe the breeder can give some insight towards his behavior. Good luck and please keep us posted...
__________________ ~~**~~ Schatzie and Ransom ~~**~~ |
04-08-2005, 01:54 PM | #3 |
Ultimate Banner! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: US
Posts: 6,122
| I can't offer any real good advice. Just wanted to say I was sorry that happened. Maybe you could start off by holding him when you give him some small treats so that he will get used to it. Some dogs are just real protective of their food. Does he act out any other time? You do know who Cassius Clay is, don't you? (I'm sure you do.) Muhhamed Ali. Maybe your Cassius wants to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee." (I hope you don't get upset for me making light of this. I know it is serious, but I just thought maybe you could use a smile. )
__________________ Bitsy loves Sophia and Peyton Last edited by Bitsy; 04-08-2005 at 05:11 PM. |
04-08-2005, 02:52 PM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: wilmington
Posts: 107
| make it a point that you eat first then him take his food away when he does this. i do not mean permantly. but take the bowl put it on the counter 2 mins later give it back. take his treats from him the same way. he thinks he is above you. the alpha male. this behavior must be dealt with now or you will have bigger problems later. he has to learn that you not him are the leader of the pack. remember that yorkies are dogs and not people. as much as we all hate to admite it. hope this helps. ps this worked for my bernese. a 100 pound dog can infilct much more damage. be careful feeding him around kids until this is resolved. this is the advice that my vet gave me. |
04-08-2005, 04:59 PM | #5 |
The Royal Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California
Posts: 2,010
| Some dogs are what they call "food agressive." It may be worth looking into a private trainer to help correct this.
__________________ (`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´) «´¨ `·.¸¸.*Aimée, Sandy, and Tia*.¸¸.·´¨`» (¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸) |
04-08-2005, 07:49 PM | #6 | |
BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California
Posts: 1,043
| Quote:
http://www.dogproblems.com/foodaggression.htm http://www.geocities.com/jetflair/foodguarding.html Good luck | |
04-08-2005, 08:58 PM | #7 |
Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 2,277
| You can also try making him eat his food directly from your hand. I saw this on a show about dogs with food aggression. If he tries to snap at your hand, move it away and tell him gentle and try again. When he is doing well with that you bring in the bowl. Feed him from your hand then drop a few pieces in the bowl. Then put your hand in the bowl while he is eating, if he growls take the bowl away and make him eat from your hand. And so on. It teaches him that you are the one that is in control and that your hand is usually there to give him food not steal it. Good luck.
__________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW Last edited by Itspuppyluv; 04-08-2005 at 09:15 PM. |
04-09-2005, 09:16 AM | #8 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 24
| Quote:
You've made some great suggestions. I received CASH when he was 10 weeks old. I'm on the east coast and I purchased him from a breeder, that was identified on the AKC website, in Texas. We communicated daily on the internet and by phone before completing my purchase. Unfortunately, I was not there to see Cassiuis around his siblings. It's my iunderstanding that he had 2 brothers and 1 sister. They also had a Rottweiller in the home as well, but according to the seller/breeder they loved eachother. Cassius doesn't do this when I give him other treats, just whwen I give him the greenie toothbrushes. I would LOVE to talk to the breeder about this, however, I have NOT been able to reach her. I've tried to contact her via phone and email since I received Cassius 2/12/05, however she has not returned any msgs. Her website is still up and the contact numbers are still active, but still no response. This was/is a major concern for me exspecially since I wasn't able to get in touch with her after I took him to his first appt: 24 hrs after I received him. It's as if, once I signed the contract and paid her for shipping, registration and pup, she disappeared. Although this is a VERY serious concern for me, I won't be able to make a personal vist until I get back out to the Dallas area for business.
__________________ Cassius "CASH" Clay | |
04-09-2005, 09:21 AM | #9 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 24
| Quote:
I don't mind your humor at all. I name him Cassius because not only and I boxing fan, but my Siamese's name is Champ. I wanted to keep it 'all in the family.;o) I do hold him in my lap when I give him small treats or the Lil Bits greenies. He eats everything right out of my hand. It's something with those bones. If I hadn't brought so many of them and if he didn't like them so much, I'd have thrown them out. I am not upset, per se, but rather worried as to why this developed. Without talking to the breeder, I guess I'll never know.
__________________ Cassius "CASH" Clay | |
04-09-2005, 09:28 AM | #10 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 24
| Quote:
Thank you very much and you're right I have to remember who's boss. I have to admit, I gave in becuase I didn't want to upset him and I wasn't quite sure why this was happening. He doesn't do any of this with any other treats, justthe Greenie toothbrushes. I will definitely try your advice this evening when he get's his treats. Little kids are not a problem, especially since I don't have any, but ;ike you said, I want to nip this is the bud now, before it gets worse.
__________________ Cassius "CASH" Clay | |
04-09-2005, 09:34 AM | #11 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 24
| Quote:
The articles were great. Thank you.
__________________ Cassius "CASH" Clay | |
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