Guarding behaviour

Crisp_£_note

Hi one of our dogs has started guarding his food to a point he won't eat it and it is causing all sorts of problems as we have another dog. I can understand in some way why he guards his food because the other dog would go in and eat it and he wouldnt fight back other than grown and nibble at his back legs) but we now separate the dogs when they eat and have done for quite a while now. We also clear away the bowls as soon as they have finished. However as you may be able to see from this situation its now becoming difficult at mealtimes and we havent been able to give the dogs treats for 6 months now as these had to be withdrawn for similar issues of one dog stealing from the other which would then cause friction and ankle biting to dog and us.
So I can see to some extent why he guards the food but not as to why it has suddenly happend after 6 months but with food not treats.

I was wondering if he just need worming and is off his food a little (as its been about 3 months since last wormer) or perhaps he has problems with his teeth or in some other discomfort (could it be the possible arthritis showing up again) ?


Any helpful advice on how to deal with this before it really gets out of hand is apreciated.

Thanks in advance

rising_from_the_ashes

Sorry Crisp but I'm a bit confused ...... and have a load of questions (sorry)

Has the guarding only been going on for 6 months - or has it just got worse?

How old are both dogs?

Have they always been together - or did one come in & start pinching the others food, eventually resulting in the guarding?

Has the dog that guards started eating slower / appear to be having difficulty chewing (if you think it may be a dental problem)?


Some dogs will happily give up their dinner / treats to another dog but many won't (and some will happily let another family dog do so, but would go for a strange dog).

Could you give them treats at opposite ends of a room - maybe with the "pincher" on a lead so s/he can't get to the other dogs treat?

ali-t

Do you ever use a crate? If so I would feed the guarder in the cage so he feels safe and secure without feeling that the other dog could get his food. I would also be tempted to try hand feeding him a couple of times in a room on his own.

I have one that guards high tarrif items and he now gets fed bones, large chews etc on his own or in his cage.

Jean Donaldson is fab and has a great book on resource guarding called Mine! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mine-Practical-Guide-Resource-Guarding/dp/0970562942/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337457000&sr=8-1-fkmr2

vax2002

Put the food down, if the dog shows no interest take it back up and dispose of it.
It wont last longer than 3 days.
same works with a faddy dog.

coinxoperated

Hand feed! Its a pain in the backside, but it WORKS! Leave it an hour or so after 'normal' feeding time, or hold off for a day so he is particuallary hungry. Teach him the 'leave' command if you haven't already. This seems to make them want it more, but now your in a position of control. It takes the control away from him.

Be careful while he is like this though. A dog that is possessive over food can 'lose it' if the wrong person walks in. Be VERY careful.

Hope this helps!

Gingham_R

Have a read of Mine! A practical guide on resource guarding by dogs. by Jean Donaldson.

Crisp_£_note

Thanks for all replies so far will respond to Q when I have more time (sorry). Just wanted to update as went to vet today and got some worming tablets as its his usual trait to go off food slighly when its time to be wormed, suddenly realised he hasnt had wormer since just before Christmas and usualy has it every 3 months !!

Will see if this improves him in a day or two. Yet whilst I was at vets I saw a poster on the wall about older dogs getting similar complaints to humans and it listed some symptoms to look out for and quite a few of them I could answer yes to for my dog so I am going to book him in for a health screen with nurse in a few weeks when I get my next benefit. The poster seemed to reasure it was a simple regular pill that helped dogs feel better, suppose its like a happy pill for when were depressed. Besides that I am overdue to take him in anyway to see if he does have arthritis in his back hips as he gets stiff and grumpy every so often.