Kingdom of Pets

Posted by jaker104
Jun 10, 2009

Well we have tried pretty much all I can come up with in regards to mister Jake's food aggression. Latest in events, Jake would come and take pets prior feeding waging tail, sit and stay and eat. He would repeat this for any additional portions. Knowing better than to use my hand, I reached over with a cane while he was eating and placed at his bowl, he growled, when I didn't move it he attacked it. I didn't move it at all and allowed him to finish eating ( like much of a choice without a confrontation. If your not familiar with Jake's history please read prior post " Still a handful at 8 mo.".
I guess my question here is behaviorist or deprivation for 48 hours and does ignoring your dog for 48 hours have any other potential outcomes not desired?
My daughter really loves this dog but after owning GSD's all my life, I'm really drawing a blank here. My wife thinks maybe Hilary and her fiance should cut thier losses. Thanks, Peter

Posted by LetsPlay
Jun 10, 2009

Hi again Peter,
I just read all of your posts regarding Jake again. It would be great of you could explain in more detail what a typical day in Jakes life is like and what other training you do with him. In another post you mentioned that apart from the hand feeding you also do Alpha dog training, please give me some more details on that.
Also regarding your daughter, how would you describe her. Is she very soft or strict with Jake? Has she got dog experience? Where does Jake sleep? Where is he during the day? Where do you/your daughter take him to exercise him? How is he on a leash? What is he like when you/your daughter greets him? What is he like when being left alone?

I hope you have the time to answer all these questions. I think you will be able to solve all the problems you are having with Jake. I'm not just saying that to cheer you up. I have worked with all sorts of dogs and there is a solution to everything.

I'm looking forward to your answers.
John

Posted by MaxHollyNoah
Jun 10, 2009

Hi Peter,

I think you have been on the right track but Jake was smarter than you had thought. Over the few months, despite all of your trainings and efforts, he has learned that HE CAN GET HIS WAY BY THREATENING YOU WITH GROWLS.

It might take some time but I am sure we can outwit him. What he is doing is protecting his resources (food) but the resources can only be given to him by YOU. Therefore, we should make him understand that he will have to work for it.

I would not give even half of his food by just "Sit" and "Wait". (By the way, I think making him wait for 20 minutes for the second half is too much).

Instead, I would put an empty bowl in front of him. Have him "Sit" and I would throw in a few kibbles as I say "Leave it". I assume your dog knows what "Leave it" and "Watch me" since he graduated from the training class. If not, you might want to teach them before you start this.

My idea is to have him give you eye-contact everytime before he is allowed to eat the few kibbles. In other words, he needs your permission for every few kibbles because they belong to YOU, not to him.

So going back to my method, have him sit in front of his bowl (maybe a new bowl should be invested since he might claim his bowl as his resource). Tell him to Leave it and throw in a few kibbles. Tell him to "Watch me" and if he watches you into your eyes, "Take it". You would repeat this until he finishes all his meal. Don't try to pet or touch him at this point. The first thing he needs to learn is that "He does not need to protect his food" and "His food only comes from you".

It might be timeconsuming but I think he will learn it. Once he learns the mechanism, you can increase the amount of food you throw in each time, and eventually the whole meal can be fed at one time (but he has to wait for your permission before he eats).

During the course, you can stop throwing in kibbles but move away a few feet and call him to you so that you can pet him. Then say, "Lets go back and eat" and go back to his bowl and resume feeding.

Hope this will work. Let us know how it goes.

At a Loss W/8 mo. GSD Please Help