Human Food Dog Aggression???

My Home Away From Home Joined : 29 Jan 2008 Posts : 167

Any idea or tips to stop food aggression???? It's not with his dog food. It's only when he sneaks human food he's not supposed to have. It's only happened 3 times since we've had Rustee. First time was Brandon's sandwhich off the counter. I tried to get it from him and he growled and snapped. I won, and threw it in the trash. Second was a slice of Bread, again I did get it back. Lastly, corn on the cob, tonight. With a few attempts he lost it, but not without growling, and trying to snap while holding onto it. Again, I only think this may have something to do with not being able to have human food that he really wants to have. I just don't want this to get out of control. Should I not worry to much??

THANKS!

Subject: Re: Human Food Dog Aggression??? Sun May 11, 2008 8:48 am

Since you have kiddies...I would do things like give him something special and take it away...over and over again. I've done that with Bell, Gunner, and Clay just to make sure they learn that they can't growl and fuss about it. I think it's mostly a puppy thing b/c he still feels like he's gotta protect his goodies from littermates. Clay was like that with regular dog food with my other two when I first got him. I would give and take and give and take...if he growls make sure you let him know that's not ok. I'd wait a little while and give it to him again. Once he got to the point where he didn't growl and act up...I'd let him have the treat. But really I think its still all about being a puppy and he doesn't understand that the littermates aren't going to take his treat. Since he's still a little guy it should be easily corrected tho. You may want to also try training him to take things only when you've ok'd him to do so...that way you avoid the sneaking of corn on the cobs. Smile

Subject: Reply> Sun May 11, 2008 9:12 am

Well said LMH, The littermate thing is a good possibility.
As for growling to be eggresive back would be bad as its kinda like a fight in his eyes. Somehow my pups dont do that, But they did try Wink

I got really loud at the dinner table. Never moved from my spot but got loud!

Both my pups and even our new one that is even younger yet have that under control.

It took a few outburst from me but they soon got the picture.

I just yelled NOOOOOO! That was it and any other time I would not yell for training but this is to be looked at very seriously. So if you never yell at your pup something new will be just that NEW!

Some will disagree with this but the hound will go one of two ways>

To hunt and not to hunt. If he is not a kenneled hunter. He or she will attempt the soup hound outlook on life. Its all about the good food. Its replaced with the gotta hunt gotta get it gotta get it.

Good luck wendlin this is easily fixed with a non eggressiion but very serious point of view. I have a bull horn the airisol kind, It will work for you im sure but it needs to be used for only breaking him off things.
_________________
Need A custom Website? Contact me for more info!

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour
Before the devil knows you're dead!

My Home Away From Home Joined : 29 Jan 2008 Posts : 167

Thanks, it makes perfect sense. I'm sure my reaction to him sneaking it may be that he think's we are in a battle for it.

He's such a happy smart dog, I think it will be easy to fix. I gave him a small piece of Bologna last night, and OMG! He loved it.

He hasn't been yelled at loudly like that yet, so maybe that will work too.

Boy, the phases dog's go through. LOL

Subject: Reply> Tue May 20, 2008 8:57 am

Well ?

_________________
Need A custom Website? Contact me for more info!

May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven half an hour
Before the devil knows you're dead!

My Home Away From Home Joined : 29 Jan 2008 Posts : 167

Hey!

I still noticed Rustee getting angry over human food. But it's only when you try to get something back from him that he has stole from the counter or the kids. Hard to believe he's tall enough to put his paws up on the counter. But I do think it's a bit of a battle between him and I.

He has no food agression what so ever with his food, or if you give him something as a treat. Just when he sneaks it and gets caught, then the fight is on. I have told him "No" loudly and he just looks at me as if I'm crazy. With that calked face, like when they hear a strange noise.

So, my plan has been: Try not to leave any food unattended when making meals. When the kids eat, make sure they don't eat too close to Rustee, and just make sure he gets lot's of treats when he's good, so he doesn't feel like he has to fight for it.

I'm not sure what else to do other then to prevent it from happening. When I make chicken or when Robby BBQ's I sneak him a small piece. He feel's pretty special.

I'd try the traning mentioned above, about giving him something then taking it back over and over, but let me tell you... when he get's it, you better stand bacK!!

Subject: Re: Human Food Dog Aggression??? Thu May 22, 2008 7:46 am

Hmmm...my guy Clay tries to steal things off the counter too and he's tall enough to do it. So I've just been doing the same...making sure things are left and telling him out of the kitchen when I am working or whatever. You may just want to try to establish a boundary where the kitchen and eating areas are off limit. That will avoid the whole stealing food thing. I'd just make sure he doesn't have the same issue with toys, chewies, etc that will create issues as he gets older with the kids around.

I'd also probably suggest enrolling him into some classes. The little puppy training class I took Gunner to...we did a whole lesson on take it, leave it, and drop it. So if the pup picked up something they should not have...you could command them to drop it. If you dont have time for a formal type class...you might just want to do like a few hours with a trainer to get some hints on training/breaking the habit.

Subject: Re: Human Food Dog Aggression??? Thu May 22, 2008 7:14 pm

Oh just another tip...we use a water bottle to squirt at Clay when he's doing naughty things, humping, counter surfing, etc. It's really help change his behaivor. It's funny b/c now I can say I am going to squirt you and he stops whatever it is he's doing. LOL. You may want to use the bottle to squirt Rustee if he gets too close to the table or puts his paws on the counter.

I think he just needs some work...sounds like he's just testing you like a bad child. LOL. They're really funny sometimes. But he does sound like a strong character...so he may take a bit of work.