Lily and the new pup, nipping help

[nikkinack]

Ok, Lily has been great with the new puppy and it has only be 24hours, I am so proud of her. The only thing I am worried about is her one bad habit, nipping and growling when she has something another animal wants. My main issue with this is the food. Tonight I was feeding the puppy and Lily came up to eat as well no big deal. She walked away with the food and dropped it because she does not like his food but yet feels the need to take it, well the puppy went up to it and Lily freaked. She did not hurt him but that is unacceptable and I want to put a stop to it before it gets worse. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. She always has food of her own and I have worked with her since day one about not being nippy, she is fine with people taking things from her just not other animals.

[nikkinack]

Anyone?

[ScootieBootie]

This is food aggression and resource guarding.

How long have you had Lilly?
What rules and boundaries does she have to abide by?

Dogs who do this normally see themselves as the pack leader,therefore taking control of what they deem necessary.

I suggest you put her on a strict Nothing in Life is Free program. (Email me at training@libertydogtraining.com and I'll send it to you! Just make sure you put YT forum in the subject line so I'll know you are from here!) This will safely establish yourself as the pack leader, and help diffuse this situation safely.

If you see the puppy go after her food (even if she dropped is away from the bowl) correct the puppy by saying "no" and bringing the pup back to her own dish. This will show Lilly that you are in control, not the puppy, and not her, so she will not have to "take control" because she will start to feel more comfortable knowing you will.

If you can't supervise them two together around toys or food, then put the puppy in a crate safely away from Lilly. There is ALWAYS a pack leader. If you leave the room, Lilly will step up and take your place while you are gone. This might mean bad news for the puppy if left alone.

[nikkinack]

Great advice thank you, Lily does see herself as pack leader. They are both put in a crate when we cannot supervise. Lily is going to her first AKC training class tonight to help me with being the pack leader but they do not help with food aggression problems.
We have had Lily since she was 12 weeks old and she just turned 1 year. She has been spoiled badly all my fault. When we got her she was very sick so we catered to her every need and as soon as she got better she had LP surgery on both legs so once again I catered to her every need. Now that I think about it she does not have many rules and boundaries WOW =(. She is not allowed to bark once told no bark and is not allowed to jump up and has to go to her bed when told but besides that she does what she wishes.

[Ines3185lyorkie]

Originally Posted by nikkinack

Great advice thank you, Lily does see herself as pack leader. They are both put in a crate when we cannot supervise. Lily is going to her first AKC training class tonight to help me with being the pack leader but they do not help with food aggression problems.
We have had Lily since she was 12 weeks old and she just turned 1 year. She has been spoiled badly all my fault. When we got her she was very sick so we catered to her every need and as soon as she got better she had LP surgery on both legs so once again I catered to her every need. Now that I think about it she does not have many rules and boundaries WOW =(. She is not allowed to bark once told no bark and is not allowed to jump up and has to go to her bed when told but besides that she does what she wishes.

You are heading in the right direction by attending training classes. The fact that she is not allowed to bark once told and not alllowed to jump also tells you that she can be trained not to nip.