Food Aggression--More Serious Than I Thought...

[ramanth]

Kia does this sometimes except she'll growl and sometimes show teeth. If she doesn't spit it out when I say firmly, "Drop It!". Then I go fishing for what I can get. She'll usually then try to swallow it whole so she doesn't have to open her mouth to chew.

Once I get anything out or if she succeeds in eating it, I tell she's been a bad dog and I give her the silent treament for the rest of the day.

She was way worse when I first got her but she's gotten better over time with dropping it. Once in awhile she'll be stubborn if it's something really "juicy".

Good luck!

[Miranda_Rae]

I don't think its aggression. Heidi will sometimes try to swollow things whole if she knows shes not supposed to have....like if she steals some food. I tell her to drop things, and that works, but sometimes its harder when it involves food. I really want to look up that book that everyone is mentioning. It sounds really good. I know what you mean. I've dug stuff out of Heidi's mouth many a time. I've stuck my WHOLE hand into her mouth when she takes something shes not supposed to. Fortunately for me I can open her mouth easily. I wish the best of luck with Jasper. I think that daily training sessions might help too - to reinforce that YOU, and you alone, are the boss. Good luck!

[cyber-sibes]

fortunatly Star is pretty good about dropping things if she knows I mean business with my tone of voice. she will hang her head and look at me sideways until I come over. I have taught her "Ucky, drop it!" and usually saying "ucky" will do it. but we started teaching her this as a little puppy, so it's been a command for a long time. Definitely a good one to have them obey. I'm working on "give" wit Sherman, he's much more posessive of food (& prey).

[DogLover9501]

Thanks again all

I have been working with him a bit, and plan to keep doing so every day!