Growling Pup Continued - Page 2

Just read your reply to me--I thought growling was a new behavior, but apparently, this might encompass a longer time period. Sounds like she was in a savage litter, fighting for every morsel. I'd just give her plenty of food. Whenever I was eating something, I'd share my food. Under no circumstances would I'd take food from her. She needs to build up her confidence in you as someone who will always provide for her needs. Just let her eat--this isn't a dominance issue--just instinctual survival. Later, when you have developed a great relationship, I don't forsee a big problem with touching---But, you must develop trust. Talk to her all the time. Praise her constantly. Laugh at every silly thing she does. Make her desperately want to please you out of love, not fear.

Excuse me, but that's MY food. I give, I take away, I give again... IF/WHEN I feel like it... I am the pack leader. The puppy NEEDS ME to BE the pack leader. No ifs, ands or buts. Ditto for balls, beds, toys, furniture, window treatments, auto upholstery, etc.

I agree with Dog1. But I would make her "work" for her food by sitting and stay until you say it's okay to go eat. Put the food down where she can see it, and pet her while she is waiting. If she is too young and doesn't sit and stay do it on leash. The petting before eating may transfer. I understand your concerns and I have never taken my dogs food from him once he has started eating but I can certainly put my face next to his while he is eating and/or pet him.

verr hunde -- i agree with that we as humans ..all belongs to us -- but contemplate this : you have a dog pack -- the lowest ranking dog has a oty or a bone -- but if you observe .. the highest ranking dog does not go and calim that resiurce which it to desires to covet ....so why is that ?? -- and if this is so anoungst the dog kingdom -- then why as a pack leader are we different ??-- the key is the RELATIONSHIP that we construct with our dogs / thier outlooks thoughts and feelings -- yes , i can take anything anywhere , any place and time with any of my 12 canines .. i can do anything i wish to them w/o protest -- but from what i see written on this forum -- there is a lack of quatitative and qualitative dimension in regards to the relatuoinship with the dogs -- i would rather build trust/love and synergy with them than through teaching /educating - do you have children listen to you because of fear and outright being overbearing because you are the boss?? ... or do you teach them to trust, to respect , to heed your words form teaching/ educating--

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Alphapup- That probably sums it up the best. Very nice comment.

What if - and believe me, it is possible - your dog is eating something it most definitely should not? Poison? What if you simply forgot to give a pill you NEED to give just before eating? How can you simply declare that 1 should never take away food or push the dog away? I think absurd. There are times when it will be necessary (I have been in those times - and sudden food aggression has appeared with food re: pills). I conditioned my pet pups from the get-go that I can give and take as I please, move them as I please, etc. I'm no expert as so many of you, but it has worked well except when this last submissive pup turned 2-1/2 yo. And she also has allergies - she cannot eat animal meat (that includes dead animals outside, etc! My dominant dog never had any trouble with this, BTW. And it wasn't as if I was playing obnoxious games with any of them constantly about "give & take" - only when they were babies. Bottom line, there are times when you HAVE to take food away, and much better you can do it than just "put up with it" and "don't ever dare bother the precious dog"! If I could find the best resolution, I would use it!

Thanks to all for the great information