satan80 358 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 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? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
staffs riffraff 1,068 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Nip in the bud ASAP it will only get worse grab him by his scruff n take it no hesitation and do it few times whenever he got anything to be possessive over but don't show any hesitation to him when doing it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bird 10,014 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tictac 218 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Hit the fukcrr with a shovel pick it up look in to its and say im the fecking daddy not you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Casso 1,261 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 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,, 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
satan80 358 Posted July 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 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 I thought about a muzzle Bird, might be an option down the line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chook1 184 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 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. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skycat 6,174 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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