Discussion Topic
'Cookie' or 'Kooky????
Posted on 09/28/09, 09:45 am
Treats are a big part of our life here with the dog. However, I am starting to see strange behavior with certain treats. When I give him a Blue Dog Bakery large molasses cookie, he starts to act really strangely and it in turn is really perplexing/scaring me. He changes from being eager to eat his treat to trying to hoard it. Sometimes he will hold onto it the entire day. He gives me looks that I have never seen him give before.
Yesterday he got one of his biggest treats, a bakery lady's paw from the pet shop. When I leaned toward him yesterday, he actually bared his teeth at me and to tell you the truth he scared me to death.
I wonder whether a change of behavior like this is anything to be concerned about.....hmmmmmmmm
Yesterday he got one of his biggest treats, a bakery lady's paw from the pet shop. When I leaned toward him yesterday, he actually bared his teeth at me and to tell you the truth he scared me to death.
I wonder whether a change of behavior like this is anything to be concerned about.....hmmmmmmmm
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Reply #1 09/28/09 8:46pm
It's starting to sound more like food aggression than a food brand issue. Dogs can start this behavior at anytime. You have to "own" the dish of food. Don't ever put your hand down to the dish if you feel the dog will bite you. Use a long stick of some sort as a test to remove the bowl or treat while it's in their possesion. If there are issues, I'd suggest hiring an animal specialist to help you cope with this, or try taking "ownership" over the food, but not allowing them to have it until YOU say it's ok. This is a difficult thing to explain via email, and I'm hoping our dog trainers on here can give me better wording. But in short, you are standing between the dog and the food, until YOU allow the dog to take it. Please keep us posted. This is no cute thing and could turn dangerous any given time. -
Reply #2 10/10/09 1:12am
This sounds bad. He needs to know who's boss. Have you tried giving him just a nibble of his cookie instead of the whole thing? He won't be able to guard a nibble. He should NEVER growl or snap if you try to take it away or come near him while he has it. If you back down you are showing him that HE is the boss, not you. Don't tolerate this! Take it away from him, don't give him another! Try the little bits and see how he does, but DO NOT give him a whole cookie. How old is this dog and how long have you owned him? Is he neutered? Are there other dogs around that may be causing him to want to "possess" his cookie and not let the others get it? Lots of what if's here, but bottom line is he will get worse and actually bite you if this problem is not corrected NOW! Don't let that happen. Peace
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