Where and how do you feed with multiple dogs

[BAMCB]

We are over a week into the raw feeding and I can potentially see problems arising. I have never dealt with any sort of food aggression and have had multiple dogs at a time. I have not seen anything as of yet but I can sense a tension in the room. I am wondering if feeding in their cages would eliminate any conflicts before they have a chance to arise. This is a whole new situation for me. I want to be 100% vigilant and proactive. Please share your solutions for a multiple dog home. Thank you!

 

[xcrazydx]

Crate feed

 

[BAMCB]

I set up Sonny's larger crate tonight hoping to do that. I also separated the crates as they were right next to each other. I will start that tomorrow morning.

 

[Hector]

Separate when feeding and remove all the bowls afterwards. You can feed them in the same room, you just have to be aware of everyone's actions. Correct the dog that's being disrespectful to another dog's food. Sometimes dogs will start fights when they know it's dinner time and when you start to prep food, in that case best is to make it a routine and kennel everyone.

I feed mine all together. Everyone is pretty good at eating their own food, but once in awhile the alpha bitch goes around scavenging and will eat out of another's bowl because they let her and I correct that.

 

[PrinceLorde13]

Yea pretty much the same here, in the beginning my male always wanted to try and bump my female and stick his nose in her food, I just stayed on top of them and now they eat side by side without the hint of an issue

 

[BAMCB]

I have become worried because I notice Ava(13lb dog)standing close to Sonny(23lb puppy) and watching if she finishes first. A quick correction ends it but yesterday she became possessive over her cage. I give them bones to chew on (in their cages) and Sonny was done so I picked his up and let him out. Same with Ava shortly after. But he went past(not in) her cage(with no bone in it) and she ran over and gave a warning growl and air bite. There was no contact and she did not lunge at him, just a warning to stay away. There was a quick and firm correction from me right away. We have a toddler and teach him to stay out of their cages(it is their "safe" place to go) but this did happen outside Ava's cage and he was near. I will not tolerate any food aggression in this house! I've always been able to pick raw bones up and move them while letting the dogs eat them outside of cages including my two JRT's with Ava and Ava with Sonny so this aggression is unfamiliar to me and only new since raw feeding started. I've also noticed a more excited type of play between Ava and Sonny that I am not fully comfortable with. Will all this settle when she realizes the raw food is the norm now and there is no need to get over excited? I do feel it is her energy that is elevating.

 

[angelbears]

The raw food may not have much to do with it. Sonny is a maturing pup and Ava maybe letting him know who is the boss. Right now I would keep a good eye on them while Ava is setting boundaries.

 

[season]

Your home. Your dogs. Your rules. If you are nervous they will be too. Feeding multiple should be no different then feeding one. Make them sit and wait. It's your job to teach them manners.


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[Liz_M]

I've fed raw to multiple dogs (3-5 at a time) since 1999 and really haven't had any problems. Weather permitting, they eat outside, especially if they are getting something messy. When I still had the last Rottweiler, he was a very slow and deliberate eater and the JRTx would eat fast and then go stare at him. Which led to a few noisy although harmless spats. So it was just easiest to let him eat in peace outside while the other two ate in the kitchen. But the previous Rottweiler pair would often go into the giant crate and lie side-by-side to chow down, then lick each other's faces LOL.

I have a pretty iron hand on the puppers, which helps. I also have a couple of cats and the cats get fed first! Then the dogs. The cats respect the dogs' space while eating and the dogs know they'd get a Come To Jesus meeting from me if they do anything more than a warning growl (I permit that, the dogs deserve the chance to be honest) at the cats even during meal time

Puppies and foster dogs eat in crates always. For training and for harmony and because everyone ought to get the chance to eat without feeling threatened.

 

[BAMCB]

Thank you everyone and I'm glad to hear others have a firm hand with out of line behaviors, makes me feel not so guilty. Like I've said, nothing aggressive has happened but the terrier scarfs hers and then sits and watches the pup. All I have to say is "hey" and she walks away. Both dogs sit and wait for the food very well. I can put it down and walk away, and they know to eat only when I say "ok". I have a toddler in the home and even though he knows he is not allowed in the dining room when the dogs are eating I still feel the need to be hyper vigilant. I will not have my dog put down for something that could have been prevented. Working at a vet I've seen it too many times. We are currently feeding in cages and it's working out great! Thanks again

 

[fixitlouie]

Mine can be food aggressive some times...when thay need a tune up I stand over them (only takes 5 min) and thay know from previous experience that any signs of food aggression will not be tolerated. .it works but like kids thay will need a tune up from time to time...thos has worked well for me for years

 

[BAMCB]

Mine can be food aggressive some times...when thay need a tune up I stand over them (only takes 5 min) and thay know from previous experience that any signs of food aggression will not be tolerated. .it works but like kids thay will need a tune up from time to time...thos has worked well for me for years

LOL Tune-up my adult kids still need tune-ups! Though the toddler is still being worked on hahaha

 

[DennasMom]

When we had two - that would fight (over my attentions) - they were fed spaced out, but in the same room.
They would be in a "sit & wait" while I put the food down, then both got the "OK" to eat at the same time.
I tried to make sure they both had space to be comfortable if the other finished first and wanted to leave the room... and meal time was never an issue. We had other issues aplenty, but not over food.

This is where they ate when we were remodeling the living/dining room:

 

[twood71]

We are over a week into the raw feeding and I can potentially see problems arising. I have never dealt with any sort of food aggression and have had multiple dogs at a time. I have not seen anything as of yet but I can sense a tension in the room. I am wondering if feeding in their cages would eliminate any conflicts before they have a chance to arise. This is a whole new situation for me. I want to be 100% vigilant and proactive. Please share your solutions for a multiple dog home. Thank you!

isn't that amazing? That must be good food for them to be willing to fight over?

I have 3 dogs, all males and they never fought over kibble, I swear one day I thought I saw my older dog kick his dish over to the younger pup lol.

But seriously the first thing I noticed is how happy they was ready to eat when I started the raw. They all would dance away when I started to get the food out. They never danced for kibble.

How I handle my dogs now is, I learned not to leave the room when I feed them and I used my leg to guide them away from one another if they became curious on what the other brother had.

slowly with sticking with this routine, they have learned to just eat. So, far so good and it's been 6 months.

It was hard in the beginning as well for me, as I said they got excited over this raw food and I was not prepared for that.

This would be a good point to bring up for first timers, because it is true on how they react to it, they love it!

 

[TricAP]

We feed in separate areas. Angus is outside (weather permitting) because he is a messy playful eater - yes he throws his raw chicken up in the air and catches it. He love to have fun with his meals. Our older boxer girl is a very meticulous eater so she gets the powder room and takes her time. Our grumpy old Chi has the kitchen rug staked out. I can keep an eye on all of them but they can't see each other. Before we started them on raw there were 3 kinds of kibble and feeding together was a nightmare for them and us. Separate just works better IMO.

 

[QY10]

My dogs are fed in their crates. They all have to sit and wait until I give them their command to eat. The plastic mat on the bottom of the crate makes for very easy clean up.


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[BAMCB]

My dogs are fed in their crates. They all have to sit and wait until I give them their command to eat. The plastic mat on the bottom of the crate makes for very easy clean up.


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Yes, our exact routine