11 month old snapping

[interzone]

hi there,

Elwood our boy is around 11 months now and he seems to get bigger every day! Not had any problems with him behaviour wise up until now. He shares the house with a blind smaller dog who is 7, he has been brought up with with the other dog since he was 8 weeks.

There has never been any sort of aggression between them both and most of time they can be both seen snuggling up with each other. Recently around food we have noticed Elwood is always looking over his shoulder and uneasy when he's eating, there has been the odd occasion where he has growled at our other dog. But all the dogs we have owned have done this with each other, kinda like telling him to back off its his food.

As soon as we noticed the above we started feeding them on their own. But the snaps are becoming more frequent even when food isn't involved? One minute they can be best friends then the next he's growling at him?

Im not sure if Elwood is trying to find his place in the pecking order or its a dominance issue. We rescued a dog before we got Elwood and we couldn't keep him because of food aggression so a few family members are getting a little worried about it.

Any one had an issue like this? He has never attacked the other dog, growled at other dogs on walks or growled at us before.

 

[musicdeb]

First, I'd like to say that at 11 months Elwood has entered the teenage stage. This is the stage that limits will be tested and Elwood will become deaf. Consistency in training with motivational rewards with LOTS of patience and add a few shots of whiskey or bourbon for you not Elwood. Return to the basics and adopt NILF (nothing in life is free). He must work for everything (food/treats/toys).

He is resource guarding which requires a lot of training to change the behavior. Feed them separately, remove all toys and treats from the floor and place their fav toys or treats in the crate with them.

Start to hand feed Elwood. Feed him bits at a time so he knows that you are the one that gives him food. I would do this exercise for at least 5 days.

While he is in sit fix his food and let him watch, keep other dog away while you do this. Do not completely fill the bowl. Place the bowl on the floor. Give him permission to eat with the word "eat" or point your finger at the food and snap your fingers. I do both with Titan. I say "eat" and point my finger at the food and snap my fingers.

Once he finishes the food, bring him to sit and place a little more into the bowl. Do this exercise for as long as it takes so he knows you provide the food and he stops the growling/showing teeth while he eats.

If you have a gate, put the gate in place and bring the other dog to the gate. Repeat the exercise with placing the food in the bowl while the other dog is outside of the gate. At any time if Elwood growls or shows teeth, bring him to sit and remove the food. When he is calm while the dog is still outside the gate, place the bowl back down. Repeat this exercise for as long as it takes.

Show Elwood what you want him to do. Remain calm and assertive while doing these exercises. Do not show impatience to Elwood because he will feel it and shut down and stop listening. When you become impatient or frustrated, walk away and take some deep breaths. When you return, stand tall with shoulders back and begin again.

Hope this helps.

 

[CeeCee]

That's perfect Deb!

...I like the addition of the booze for Interzone (I personally use Tequila.)

 

[musicdeb]

That's perfect Deb!

...I like the addition of the booze for Interzone (I personally use Tequila.)

I love Tequila! My drink, when I drink, is margarita on the rocks. yum yum!