taking food

[brady]

I just read the previous post about the "terrible twos". We had an incident the other night with Brady. Who has definately had his stubborness but really has been pretty good except "come when called" is "come when Brady is ready". He took chicken off the table, so we took away from him. The battle was unreal, as are my bruises! This dog will let me take anything out of his mouth. Then he turned so mean with this chicken. Well I pinned him and yelled. He went to the corner of the yard and sat for a long time. I felt awful, but this is so unacceptable. Has anyone had a similar problem? He meant business, but so did we. Brady doesn't even beg for food.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

You did the right thing taking away the chicken. When my dogs steal something I always take it away no matter how insignificant it may seem, just to make a point. It is a good idea to keep practicing taking food away and giving it right back so he doesn't feel threatened. It sounds like he got the message, though, since he spent a little time pouting in the backyard (hopefully reflecting on his bad behavior). He also may be at that age when he is "testing the waters" to see how much he can get away with. Rory is about the same age, and is repeatedly exerting her independence lately. I look at these episodes as "teachable moments".

 

[brendapiepiorka]

"teachable moments'...I'll have to remember that one!

 

[ellesmom]

The cats have trained Elle. They will go right up to her bowl while both Elle and the bowl are in the crate. The bowl will be full of food and Elle will not growl at them,nip at them or even look their way. But, White-tip, especially, will go right up to the bowl. I think they have beaten the "tar" out of her enough times during their "wrestling" matches that she has this awesome respect for them. It is too funny. ( the cats only weigh 8 lbs compared to Elle's 54!) Not to say she won't chase them, but it is all in fun and she stops when they swat her or we say to stop. It is too funny. We have been practicing taking away her food etc...constantly as a newf/chow mix we had fostered for awhile used to get such an attitude with us, I knew what I didn't want Elle to do when she was older. Good luck!
Ellesmom

 

[macgirl13ca]

Bubba tried it once. I have always been able to take anything away, and give it back of course. I started that at a young age, after getting bit by a previous dog of mine (a resuce) for doing the same thing. Joe's daughter tried to take a bone away from him once, and got growled at and snapped at. A wrestling match ensued (with me) same thing, pinned him and a big growled no in his face and he knew he done wrong, and since, both kids can take anything from him without incident.

 

[dogger]

I can relate to the food theif. When we catch Boagie in the act we take away her ill gotten goods. She generally does not react with a temper when it comes to food. Here comes the however....
Boagie does snap and or growl when you make her do something she does not want to do.
What our vet has told us to do is pin her on the ground and hold her by her neck (and possibly her body) like a dominant dog would do.Then,, here is the kicker in our best growling voice tell her NO!! If she struggles or tries to get up growl again. Not until she relaxes can she get up. I know this sounds horrible but it is not. It is what a dog understands. After you do this a few times they begin to get the picture... YOU ARE ALPHA!!! Now if she mis-behaves a growly no will get her attention.

 

[brendapiepiorka]

I body slam Maggie every now and then too, just like you described. My daughters boyfriend was here one day when I did this....needless to say he thought I'd lost my marbles for a bit. Maggies a good one for coming up behind you and giving little love bites that sometimes connect! ouch!!! After the body- slam -growl. she usually behaves for a while.

 

[Jeannie]

That "body slam" is called "submission" A very good training tool. I have used it quite often with grooming dogs and Samantha. Needless to say I still use it on Samantha at times. She is so strong willed.....But that is another story

 

[brady]

My husband took his food this morning and Brady growled. My husband spoke stern and Brady cowered in the corner. He wouldn't finish his breakfast. So my husband was certain he would never eat from the dish again. Well tonight, my husband fixed his dinner (he was feeling guilty). But Brady went right to the dish, my husband has his hands in the dish, took the food and no growling what so ever. This is a step in the right direction, we just need to keep at it. I did read about taking the food and stuff but not every meal as they will come to expect it. Tonight we also had a birthday party for my Dad. Brady was there and never offered to go near the table. One day at a time though. He does start his second obedience class next week. thank you for the advice. Sometimes I feel all alone like I have messed Brady up. You are all great.

 

[aalvarez]

The great thing about having a breed that is known to be non-aggressive, is that I feel comfortable enough to put my hands in his mouth to take something out that Yogi is not supposed to have, without the fear of being seriously hurt. We could never have done that with my parent's dog, who was known to snap or bite. The exception to that with Yogi is---chicken bones. If he finds a chicken bone, he will NOT give it up. I've learned to keep my hands out of his mouth when he's gotten a hold of a chicken bone. Which makes me so nervous because those can be so dangerous and the bones shards that he swallows could puncture his instestines/stomach. Now, if this happens, I grab a hand towel (for protection between his mouth and my hands) to pry open his mouth instead of sticking my naked hand in "the jaws of life." This has worked much better and safer.

 

[misamala00]

Whenever we have a chicken bone available I offer it to Misha - but we do it a speciall way - I hold the bone and she only gets to eat the soft ends of the bone. At first she would try to pull it from my hands but now she got used to eating like this and she knows that the middle part is not for her.
It's funny though - she's always good at meals (no begging or stealing), but whenever we eat chiken, she's always close by, waiting for her favorite snack.

Mirjam & Misha

 

[Annie Milliron]

Sounds like you're making headway.... I love the phrase "teachable moment"... and will remember and use it. I tend to feel guilty when correcting..... they have a way of looking so pitiful. However, as we all know, it's really important, imperative not to let them get away with these things. And, as for being able to take something out of their mouth... that's very important.. because they can get into things that could hurt them badly!!! Lord knows, Kira can!