Jump to content

Recommended Posts

I've switched my 4 month old pup to raw food in the last month and he's been doing great, the usual benefits and is looking in much better condition.

He's fine when he's eating mince/sardines/fish from his bowl, but he become extremely aggressive and possessive when i give him a raw meaty bone or chicken carcass.

I tend to give him them either in the garden or in his crate (he sleeps indoors).

 

As soon as he gets the bone he's barking& growling, i've no doubt that if i got too close he'd really go for me. On his walk yesterday he found something in the bushes (dead bird i think), and he went mental, i couldn't get within a foot of him without him going for me, extremely embarrassing and frustrating as we walk along the canal and a couple of joggers went past and he nearly went for them. He's a big lad already (21") so doesn't get leeway from people as he doesn't really look like the young pup that he is.

 

It's a big problem as my missus is now worried that i'm turning him into a maniac by feeding him raw meat, in know that's not the case but i'm struggling to argue as he was never aggressive when he was on his dry food.

 

Any suggestions on how to calm the pup down around food?

Link to post
Share on other sites

you showed (him) fear, so he thinks he is the boss when it comes to what he (really) likes.? pity you didnt nip it in the bud when he was 8-12 weeks old. you got to muzzle the fecker 1st on the lead, then give him the bone, give him a min then say leve and take it a way.He will play up because he wants it muzzle or no muzzle,? take it away and as soon as he growls lift the fecker right off the floor with a loud leave. Do this few times and once he stops growling, do with out the muzzle. :thumbs:

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've switched my 4 month old pup to raw food in the last month and he's been doing great, the usual benefits and is looking in much better condition.

He's fine when he's eating mince/sardines/fish from his bowl, but he become extremely aggressive and possessive when i give him a raw meaty bone or chicken carcass.

I tend to give him them either in the garden or in his crate (he sleeps indoors).

 

As soon as he gets the bone he's barking& growling, i've no doubt that if i got too close he'd really go for me. On his walk yesterday he found something in the bushes (dead bird i think), and he went mental, i couldn't get within a foot of him without him going for me, extremely embarrassing and frustrating as we walk along the canal and a couple of joggers went past and he nearly went for them. He's a big lad already (21") so doesn't get leeway from people as he doesn't really look like the young pup that he is.

 

It's a big problem as my missus is now worried that i'm turning him into a maniac by feeding him raw meat, in know that's not the case but i'm struggling to argue as he was never aggressive when he was on his dry food.

 

Any suggestions on how to calm the pup down around food?

feed him out of your hand in your space, the difference between raw and dry is that the raw has a much higher value to the dog in how he see's it , its not that the meat is driving him nuts and aggressive , its the value he himself is putting on it,

 

from the start i get pups coming into my space to eat, it overcomes fear, it cuts out all aggression with food and people, pups get used to eating out of a bowl( held in the hand) or from your hand with folk passing by,

my reading on that situation is fear in your dog not dominance,,

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

cheers for the advice lads. Casso that makes sense, i'm loath to start being aggressive back to a 4 month old pup, there should always be a way other than a threat of violence i reckon.

 

Casso, i'm gonna try the hand feeding with a bit of dry and small bones&meat then build up to the bigger stuff, hope it works, otherwise i'll be typing with one hand soon :laugh:

 

I thought about a muzzle Bird, might be an option down the line.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Have a read of this.

http://blackbeltdogtraining.com/articles_dogtraining/food_aggression.pdf

 

With my dogs i do the same when they are youngsters, especaly with bones - i will sit down with them

and hold the bone, if you use something like chicken necks, it will mean you can feed a few

hold them for a minuite or so whilst they have a chew, then let them have it

but sit there whilst there eating it - if they move away let them, dont go chaseing, when finished offer another and do the same again till they have all gone.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Dead right Casso. No the time to be aggressive with the pup. Aggression at this stage from you will ruin any chance you have of building a decent bond with the pup. He is simply being frightened of losing what is his to eat. I've had a couple of pups like this in the past, and the softer approach is the only way to bring them round.

 

Yes, hand feed everything. Don't, at the moment, feed items which can't be eaten quickly. So no whole carcases or things he feels he needs to protect as he can't eat them quickly.

 

Also, get him used to you holding dead things in your hand. Let him know that they are your things, not his. Teach the word 'No', or 'Leave it'. He has to learn respect for you and the things that are yours, but it needs to be done softly, not with violence. An iron hand in a velvet glove is the way to go.

 

If he finds something again and wants to keep you away you need to distract him. Carry some tasty meat titbits (small pieces of liver baked in the oven until dry are great) and the moment he finds something like a dead bird or whatever, show him the titbit, encourage him away from the dead bird by using the titbit as a lure.

 

He will grow out of it as he matures, providing you train him in ways which don't provoke his need to be protective over anything.

 

Make sure that you play daily games with him, encouraging gentle physical contact. Get down on the ground with him, let him play tugging games with a toy, but stand up and walk away if he gets too rough. Depending on the breeding, some pups come late to the understanding that being sociable is a good way to be. He's just behaving like a wild animal at the moment, so the more positive contact you have with him the better. Don't be shy of giving him a good cuddle: behave like a parent, not a boss. But don't let him take the p*ss either. Establish rules of behaviour in everything. Make him sit before you offer him food. Make him work for the reward. Dogs are smart: he'll soon realise that by behaving the way you want him to, life is better all round. And never get angry with him, but don't be a wimp either. Firm but fair and always consistent.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...