Growling behaviour... - Page 1

Hi guys...I have posted twice about this same topic and I have learned alot, yet I still need help.
when it comes to dogs growling over food:

• Some people think it is better to leave the dog alone to eat in peace...
• Some think that Growling over food is good behaviour for a dog to have as it shows protection over its property...
• others just dont like it.

My pup still growls over his food.. I tried since he was 8 weeks old:

• quick nip on his scrub....didnt work.
• add more food while he is eating...
• rolled him on his back....
• He is now 6 months and he still growls.

I want to understand him, I am starting to think his growling is due to either he being too posessive and strong headed or nervous. Maybe he thinks I will take his food away, may be he is sharp or has weak nerves...  Is there a way to tell what the actual reason is?
His body language changes, his shoulders seem to come up and he brings his head down closer to his food...

Should I just leaving him in peace and let him eat in peace....

Thanks

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=710005

Hi Swifteagle:

I would like to share my opinion based on my decades of experience breeding, raising and training dogs.  One of my basic rules for all my dogs is that they are NEVER allowed to growl at a human when it comes to food.  This is for their safety ( so they don't end up in the pound or euthanized) as well as the safety for the humans ( particularily children) they encounter.  It is best to get this message through to infant pups and I teach this to all my puppies in the whelping box long before they go to their new families.  These same dogs have grown up to be working dogs, family protecters and loving companions.  

It is especially sad to hear that your young boy is growling at you when it comes to food  because I sense that you love him very much and hold his welfare as a priority.    My concern would be the growling will escalate to where he will begin to dominate you over other issues.  When a dog growls at the owner over food it is not weak nerves, high drive, protection of property etc.  it is pure and simple bad behavior on the part of the dog because the humans who have dominion over him have not set appropriate boundaries and a clear pecking order.  It sounds as though unwittingly, the puppy has been given the message that he is in charge of food.  He isn't - you are.  You are the one that raises the $ to purchase the food and to provide it to him.  Therefore that makes you ALPHA.  When in doubt, you should ask yourself what would this little guy's mother would have done if he exhibited this behavior in the whelping box.  I can guarantee you, she would not have accepted it.

 For your sake and his, I wish this problem had been resolved when he was an infant.    Now, I would suggest that you seek out a competent  trainer who can help you re-establish the pecking order with this young fella.  I would do it soon.   I strongly encourage you to follow through on the trainer's recpmmendation.  IMO the older he gets the more dangerous the situation becomes.  He has very nice breeding and once you gain control and get pass this hump, you will have a partnership that you will always treasure with this beautiful boy.   

Like children, dogs need a leader to show them the way. 

Best wishes

Cassandra 

Or you could wait another 4 months and see how it works out.

Cassandra, that was very nicely said! I sure hope Swifteagle takes your advice.

Chaz, really, you can't really think this pup will outgrow this behavior if Swifteagle continues with what they are doing? I was not impressed at all with the list of "solutions" given above. Especially since none of them have worked, and Swifteagle does not seem to grasp that they are reinforcing this issue; they need to be "fixed" in their thinking or the "reading" of dogs, if change is going to happen.

Thanks Cassandra for your input..  I have the same idea as you that I put the $$$ to feed him, therefore I am alpha and I can take the food if I wish..... He is bigger now yet I am not afraid of him... Last night and tonight I decided to Put him on his back every time he growls at me... I just put him on his side then on his back and I say No... I have done this with another dog of mine before and it worked the very first time.. I am going to have to be firmer with him... I just dont want to brake him.

@Beetree

"Swifteagle does not seem to grasp that they are reinforcing this issue;"

How am I reinforcing the issue if All I have try is to do the opposite?

What would you suggest I do to "fix" This issue?

Well, with a puppy I first start eating my dinner with the dog watching me. I may ask him to do a few basic exercises and then I would give him the bowl. I routinely bring the bowl back up to my table mid meal. This obviously establishes dominance. I haven't ever had ths problem before. In your case, if I couldn't get a trainer I would feed him the same quanitity over a number of mini meals, and try to reach for the bowl, and if there is even a hint of a growl, I would give a swift correction either with an electric training collar or a prong collar (keep the leash attached to the dog while he is eating). I would also then take away the bowl and that is the end of his meal. The key is to do this exercise at the beginning of the meal as he might eat it too quickly and you won't have the opportunity to train him. Hopefully for the next mini meal this behaviour will be reduced. It might take a couple of weeks, but it should work.
Let us know how it goes!

I would not alpha roll the pup! And I would suggest you get some insight from a professional trainer. I have the feeling you are doing so many things wrong and are unawares. A professional will be able to spot these things in person...something that is not possible on the internet! And help you see what detrimental messages you are inadvertantly sending to your pup. I am willing to bet Cassandra was hoping you would understand her tactfully worded post better and get more out of it than, ALPHA ROLL.

I really do want what is best for you and your pup.

you will have to be hard on this boy, as you can see he is not intrested in you being the dominate one. if i had a pup like this as i too do not belive any dog has the right to growl at any person, young or old. well what needs to be done is you need to control , when and and where he gets his food.i would be hand feeding him , so the food comes from you and thats the only time he gets food, he will get it , it will take time. but this is what i would do  if i had a pup like this , but i have never had one i needed to do this as from day one they know i am the boss.

once he knows you are the boss , he will be done with this.