Dog help - food aggression

[janette]

Having a problem with our newest addition thought I'd see if anyone has suggestions. She's a Bichon Frise (Angel) we got her from a local pound about 3 weeks ago. She's had a complete check up and is about 10yo and in generally good health.

We've started seeing some aggression though It has mostly been directed to our 1yo Bichon Tyler, especially if there is food around she snaps at him. It isn't all the time just once in a while. Except for this she's very sweet. Just wants to be petted and sits at your feet Loves to go for walks.

She seems to have been given table scraps. Almost always underfoot when you are eating or in the kitchen.

Yesterday my 9yo DD had a snack in the living room and both dogs were trying to take a sniff. Angel snapped at Tyler and my 11yo DD's foot was caught mid snap. She broke the skin around DD's toe and scratched her pretty bad. Today my 9yo DD had food again and tried to move Angel away, this time Angel bit her on the wrist. Didn't break the skin but did bruise her.

I know we have to feed the dogs separately and have told DD she is not to have food around them. What else can we do?

 

[Spinning]

I have a feeling nothing to change the behavior at that age. My friend has a dog that is part wolf (why in the world she has it I have no idea! I won't let my kids go near it!) but he is around 12 years old and same thing with food. The dog shows no sign of aggression but if food is around look out. If he wants it he gets it. Can't change it. She doesn't have kids lives alone so I guess they have an understanding. I would talk to your vet and maybe the dog society. Good luck!
BUt how nice of you to adopt a dog that old!

 

[mrsstats]

I had the same problem with my adopted 3 year old chi mix. She would snap at my 15 year old chi mix. Started feeding them apart from each other but same room. We would take her dish away from her while she was eating. She didn't have a problem with that. We were just patient and now she does very well, only occasional relapse. I just think time and lots of love will help. 10 years old it must be a diffcult adjustement for him/her.

 

[mrsv98]

You need to establish that you are the alpha in the relationship. Start by putting her food down, let her eat a bit and then pick the bowl up. If she snaps, correct her. You may need to feed her wearing a leash and collar so you can correct her quickly. Do this often to make sure she knows who is boss. We still do this occasionally with our 7yo lab and with our 7 month old lab puppy. If you are not firm, she will not respect you. I would also suggest obedience training, she is not too old, snd it will establish a good relationship with her. Additionally, the trainer will be able to help you remediate some of her behavior. Feed the dogs separately, that will take away any feelings of competition. Good luck, I am sure you will be able to help your new furry friend.

 

[janette]

Thanks, her age is what makes me think we have to learn to adapt things for her. I'm just hoping we can. She's a wonderful dog but I can't have her biting my kids. Also have smaller kids around sometimes and that would be worse.

Bichons are a smaller dog so they have a long life span, she should have several more years. It is also her calmness that we like, my younger DD tends play too rough with a puppy but with Angel she will just pet and hug on her. Last night after Angel bit her Angel was sitting with her while she did her homework, head in her lap. It is how you describe Spinning, no aggression in any way at other times.

I'll try taking her food away like you suggested mrsv98. I've also thought I might start feeding them in their crates. Leaving the door open but they do respect that space as each others.

Then it will just be the people food we have to worry about. That is one thing we've been careful of with our puppy is not to feed him from the table or scraps. He is pretty good about not expecting anything when we are eating. If a plate is left out he's been known to think it's fair game but really doesn't expect it. Angel seems to expect it and I think that is part of the problem.

 

[pumba]

put the food in front of your doggie......then take it away and put one or two in yoru hand and put it in the dish
when your dog eats that......talk to him or her and then put another piece in her dish......keep making sure that your dog sees that you are the hand that feeds it literally.........keep it up for a few days and then let your dd do it.......she will know then that food comes from you all

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would keep her in her crate when people are eating. A ten Y/O will have training problems with this, since you have no idea what happened to her in her former life. If you knew that she was fed with a lot of other dogs or was deprived of food, it would help a trainer decide how to handle the re-training. NEVER feed her from the hand, and keep her confined when you are eating, so she can't beg or think she is going to get something. Feeding the dogs seperately in their crates is always a good idea anyway.