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Originally Posted by FirstYorkie Joy, once again you are showing what a wise woman you are! Very few people would recognize this as an early warning sign of food guarding (which could turn into aggression).
Joey was exactly the same - not growling or snapping or anything, but obviously not comfortable when someone entered his space when he was eating. We've worked through it for the most part (he's fine now with family, but still displays the behavior you describe when strangers are in the kitchen). I found the following 2 articles to be helpful: http://k9deb.com/foodguar.htm http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti...ctguarding.htm
The ClickerSolutions article starts out with object guarding (which is treated similiarly). Toward the end, it talks about food guarding.
Basically, it's treated as Erin suggested but these sites give more detail. You can begin by just walking by when the dog is eating, saying the dog's name, and dropping a treat nearby. When your girl, stops eating to look up for her treat, you know you can progress. Very gradually progress to touching the dog's hind quarters after talking softly to her, and dropping the treat. Progress until dog is comfortable with you petting her and putting treats IN her bowl.
Other steps you can use are only giving her small amounts of food so that she has to look to you for more. You can also hold her bowl the entire time she eats, adding more to it as she finishes what is in.
Jean Donaldson's little book MINE! Practical Help for Resource Guarding is a good guide. She raises an interesting point that is contrary to what I would have thought (but I believe she's right). She says being right there beside them the whole time they eat (even holding their bowl) obviously is a threat, but actually is LESS threatening to the dog than approaching from further away when the dog is eating. She also says approaching from different angles increases the threat. Interesting stuff! |
Thanks for this and Erins post as well.
Just when I thought I was out of the woods for reading got more to do.
I have not read "Mine" got a couple others of hers on my shelf.
I have one on order let you know more when it gets here and my trainer wants me reading another one but I forgot the name.
We are not haveing a great this week but just got home from being away.
Nice to be back on carpet instead of hardwood, she can not get the energy out that she need.
Being away is ok it just the gravel to work the energy level down is hard as not the best thing for her feet.
Tonight we are playing to see if we can get the edge off.
She a little strung out right now
Hope it ok am going to snag your post to read in bed.
Little light reading to end the day.
Joy