After meal problem

ScottinBend · Dec 28, 2009

Thanks for asking the questions.....

They are currently being fed in different parts of the house out of site of each other but as soon as they finish they seek each other out. We have not tried different rooms with doors yet. We have been chaperoning them after eating for some time now and it worked for awhile but they would start "posturing" and such soon after.

It does seem that one of the girls is the aggressor more times than not, but the other has been the aggressor at times.

Other than after eating they have never had a problem. They even get a bit testy after getting any kind of treat.

We are usually very calm after the meals as we are aware of what may happen and know what to look for and they don't seem to even notice us. They just stare at each other until something sets them off.

One other thing that might indicate something is that the less aggressive one (Shady) tends to lay her head across CoCo's back at her shoulders when they are just standing around. Not sure what that means either.

Aztec · Dec 28, 2009

You mentioned them staring at one another. Is there direct eye contact? In the dog world that is an immediate no-no. You must distract them, or do what it takes to break the concentration there. The locking eyes is generally the first step towards an aggressive direction. Also notice stiffening. These first signs are where you have to cut it off, before it can escalate into an actual problem.

Toffee's Mom · Dec 28, 2009

Why aren't crates an option, by the way? it may be good idea to have crates to feed separately if you don't have doors?
Try hand feeding, basic obedience and the I think the 'watch me' command would come in handy there as well... Get them to watch you instead of each other...?
Start with the basics again, I think is the key... as well as individual training so that you get a somewhat reliable sit stay even with distractions... aka each other's bowls... Definitely take bowls away immediately and supervise. I agree with Aztec; nip it in the bud BEFORE it gets to the biting stage...
Hope you find some good tidbits that work for you guys

ScottinBend · Dec 28, 2009

Aztec said:
You mentioned them staring at one another. Is there direct eye contact? In the dog world that is an immediate no-no. You must distract them, or do what it takes to break the concentration there. The locking eyes is generally the first step towards an aggressive direction. Also notice stiffening. These first signs are where you have to cut it off, before it can escalate into an actual problem.

They do stare at each other and we are aware that it is an indication of aggression. We are trying to find a way of stopping this as it is part of the after meal "dance" they go through and it can continue for quite some time. This is why we thought the Kong toy was the answer as it got them to focus on getting their treats out vs the fighting.

ScottinBend · Dec 28, 2009

Toffee's Mom said:
Why aren't crates an option, by the way? it may be good idea to have crates to feed separately if you don't have doors?
Try hand feeding, basic obedience and the I think the 'watch me' command would come in handy there as well... Get them to watch you instead of each other...?
Start with the basics again, I think is the key... as well as individual training so that you get a somewhat reliable sit stay even with distractions... aka each other's bowls... Definitely take bowls away immediately and supervise. I agree with Aztec; nip it in the bud BEFORE it gets to the biting stage...
Hope you find some good tidbits that work for you guys

We just don't have the floor space in our home for 2 crates right now. They never have a problem with us giving them their food. We have them both sit and wait until we tell them it is ok to eat. We do start feeding Shady before feeding CoCo tho. Maybe we should switch and feed CoCo first?

When they are finished and are expecting the Kong toys they are very obedient. They sit at our feet until we give them the toys. But no it seems that this is not going to work after all.......

We are just trying to find something that we can do so we don't have to chaperon them after each and every meal

Aztec · Dec 28, 2009

If they sit and wait, don't feed one or the other first. Have them wait, and release them at the same time.

Watch me is a very helpful command for breaking eye contact. I think that if you train them to focus on you, and what they have instead of worrying about the other dog you probably will be okay.

It is possible you already mentioned this, but are they spayed?

ScottinBend · Dec 28, 2009

Yes they are both fixed.

They are both real good with the watch me and are fine until after the treats.

We are going to try and get them involved with play or some other activity and see how that goes.

Thanks for your help.

HopeShelties · Dec 28, 2009

Shut a door between the two. Or put up a baby gate while they eat. So long as they can get to each other, they will continue to do this.
I realize you're short on space, but no reason one can't eat in the bathroom for instance, and another in a bedroom.

BarbV · Dec 28, 2009

HopeShelties said:
Shut a door between the two. Or put up a baby gate while they eat. So long as they can get to each other, they will continue to do this.
I realize you're short on space, but no reason one can't eat in the bathroom for instance, and another in a bedroom.

When Bacca was going through his food issues, I had to feed the pups in separate rooms. Indy would scarf his food, and then move in on Bacca while he snuffled his bowl. Indy's hovering was enough to scare him away .

I strongly recommend that you separate them - at least from eyesight - before something serious happens. And yes, you might need to continue to be food monitor for a while. If Indy finishes before Bacca, he will come up and STARE at Bacca until I tell him to move off, you bugger!

I've now progressed where I can feed the boys in the Great Room, but at opposite ends and where they can't see each other. I've put a pause ball in Indy's dish to slow him down. Indy likes to eat in his crate with the door open. Bacca likes to eat beside his crate with his bowl tucked against the wall, so that he can protect it. They aren't really aggressive anymore about it, but there's no doubt that Indy would move in to finish things off if Bacca stepped away, even for a second.

Megansmom · Dec 28, 2009

BarbV said:
When Bacca was going through his food issues, I had to feed the pups in separate rooms. Indy would scarf his food, and then move in on Bacca while he snuffled his bowl. Indy's hovering was enough to scare him away .

I strongly recommend that you separate them - at least from eyesight - before something serious happens. And yes, you might need to continue to be food monitor for a while. If Indy finishes before Bacca, he will come up and STARE at Bacca until I tell him to move off, you bugger!

I've now progressed where I can feed the boys in the Great Room, but at opposite ends and where they can't see each other. I've put a pause ball in Indy's dish to slow him down. Indy likes to eat in his crate with the door open. Bacca likes to eat beside his crate with his bowl tucked against the wall, so that he can protect it. They aren't really aggressive anymore about it, but there's no doubt that Indy would move in to finish things off if Bacca stepped away, even for a second.

All of these suggestions sure are helpful for her, hopefully she can put some to use :yes:

! Some dogs just have to remain separated during feeding times due to dominance issues. My Grandma had that issue with her Sheltie Bo and a mutt named Soupy.