The interesting thing about this case is that Zack shows no aggressive tendencies other than food aggression. There has been a lot of upset and turmoil recently as the family have downsized home in preparation of their move. The family previously had a large walled garden where Zack could play in and generally he had more room to relax in and around the home. To add to the situation, the family have another dominant older dog and a few cats.
I arrived at the house and asked Lynne to make Zack’s dinner. As soon as Jack’s dinner was made up one of the cats moved in for a “free meal”.
It’s obvious that Zack had lost his food to the other animals in the house on more than one occasion.
I took Zack outside and worked with him in the garden. He showed no signs of aggression. In fact he was a very amicable soul and was willing to work with me.
I asked for the food to be placed in the yard. Zack got very stressed as soon as he saw the food. I worked away with him asking him to walk past the food for a reward and some praise. I had to be firm and stand my ground with him because he was very intent on getting his food before someone else devoured it.
I then got Lynne to walk him past the food and reward him each time he gave the behaviour and past the food.
This dog is not aggressive. It’s obvious to me that this fella has lost his food to the other animals in the house on more than one occasion and he’s learned to defend his food. The other factor in this is that previously Zack would have had room in the house to relax and enjoy a chew in peace with being challenged by the other dog and cats.
Initially from the information Lynne gave me it appeared to be a classic pack leadership issue. This is not the case with Zack. Zack is not trying to promote himself within the household. Zack just wants peace to eat his food without it getting snaffled by the other animals.
Lynne is rehoming the cats and the older dog before the family leave for New Zealand. I’ve recommended that Zack is fed in isolation and is reassured that his food will not be stolen from him. I’ve also recommended that the desensitizing of food is continued daily by walking him passed the dish and rewarding him for not lunging at his bowl.
Lynne called me because she had concerns about Zack’s food aggression. My call is that Zack is not aggressive – he’s only protecting his food which is purely a survival instinct. I think when the other occupants are rehomed Zack’s food aggression will disappear. Working on the desensitizing will stop any pack promotion instinct to come to the fore.
I give my dogs the respect of allowing them to eat their meals in peace.
Looking forward to seeing photos of Zack in his new home
I’d like to express my thoughts on food and feeding time. A lot of owners think it’s necessary to muck around with a dog’s food bowl – i.e. making the dog leave the food, removing the dish while the dog is eating and putting your hands in the bowl.
I don’t do any of these things. In the wild, the lead wolf takes his share and walks away. I think that a dog should be left in peace to eat his meal without having to worry about someone taking it from him. I do train the leave command using treats and I can happily take a bone away from my dogs but I give them the respect of eating their meals in peace.
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