Newf in Shelter-need advice

[NewfK9]

As you know we are looking to re home another Newf, I have located an 18 month old ckc registered female in a shelter. She was owner surrendered due to food aggression towards other dogs, not to people. The shelter says she food guards, is this difficult to correct? I have never had this problem before so I am curious as to correcting this problem? Any advice?

 

[bria]

I had some serious food aggression issues with Bria when I first got her at 3 1/2 years old. Not with treats just her food bowl. She had been fed out of the same bowl as another Bitch and obviously the other dog was alpha also judging from Bria's weight when I got her she didn't get most of the food.

I fed her separately until she become comfortable and realized that no one was going to take her food. I feed both Bria and Sherman in one room and my Chihuahua and any boarding dogs in another room separated by a baby gate. Sherman will often go to Bria's bowl after he has inhaled his food and she has never even growled at him. However the other dogs do not go near her food when she's eating. I'm pretty sure she knows that I won't let them eat her food and she probably wouldn't react as she did when I first got her.

This can take time and then again the dog may never change. It's a tough call and I'm sure you'll get both sides here. At least you know what some of the issues are and perhaps you can work with it. I didn't know when I got Bria and looking back now it was a minor thing that was easily worked with however when I first saw it I was pretty upset and wondered about the aggression. Again Bria is not aggressive with toys or when I give treats and I give them treats all together side by side.

Good luck either way.

Susan

 

[NewfK9]

Thank you for the valuable advice, I'm not first in line for her, but I want to make a very informed decision. I know and understand that a rescue will have some problems, then again maybe not. But fate will decide when she is ready to bring us our girl.

 

[Carlina]

My friend just recently took in a rescue (not a Newf) and feeds her dogs in their crates always separately. She knew the new dog had issues so always wants them to have positive experiences. It is working out fine so far

 

[Pipelineozzy]

It depends a lot on the extent of it. If she issimply guarding at mealtimes, that is easy enough to deal with. But resource guarding can carry over into other things...and you would want to know if she will resource guard toys etc. once in a family situation, esp. when you have other dogs. It can usually be fixed, but it will take some work.

 

[bria]

You also have to consider the dynamics of your place. I don't know what your situation is and how many dogs, is their an Alpha female? All these things come into play as well. When I got Bria I had only my Sugar (a Maltipoo) at the time. Though I'm in petcare and have dogs boarding here all the time still there was only one other dog here who was older at that time but still my little Alpha. There was one or two incidents with the two dogs and though no one was hurt my first priority was to number one dog.

Yes rescues do come with issues and in most cases it can worked out however sometimes you will come so far and then what you have is what you have. My first Giant Breed rescue was a Saint that had numerous issues having come from a puppymill and was already 6 1/2. She came a long way in the short 5 years that I had her but she was never 100%. Never got over her fear of men, young kids (not babies), sprinklers or water of any kind and was very nervous when people came over. Still I would not have changed a single thing in spite of the fact that I rearranged my entire lifestyle to accommodate her. After all she had been through I felt she deserved to have a peaceful life for the remainder of her time with me. That being said I live alone and have no children so for me it was easy to do.

Susan

 

[Newfobsessed]

I agree with the great advise given by Cindy and Susan, but I was also wondering what if anything you know more about this female Newf? Is she from someone who fed everyone all together and it became a contest as to who gets the most food? Or if she had recently shown aggression and her owners just separated her and did nothing to figure out the situation or try to remedy it, it could be a relatively easy fix - esp as stated before - it is just about her food bowl.With the care and concern you already show, I think you will be fine to get her, but as you stated you want to let fate work its magic. Please keep us posted, and best of luck on your search!

 

[CMDRTED]

Try googling Resource Guarding. I know there are very good trainers out there that are certified to train for Resource Guarding. Food agression can be a part of that.

 

[NewfK9]

Thankx for the tip! Still haven't heard back from the shelter, she was due to be spayed this week.

 

[nsmarlis]

My three alway are fed in separate areas. No food aggression but Morgen would swallow her food so fast when I initially got her, that she would choke. I assumed it was the result of having been a kennel dog. She learned to eat more slowly over time.

 

[NewfK9]

Just received a message from the shelter, Lola has a new home in B.c., Congratulations to her new forever home.

 

[nsmarlis]

Sorry it didn't work out for you, but the right dog will come along. Meanwhile Lola has her forever home.

 

[NewfK9]

And isn't that what it's all about in the long run? I hope she's happy.