Still Working on Food Aggression

[jaker104]

Update on Jake (now 7 month old) German Shepard. Jake was showing food aggression at 5 months and at that time we (my daughter and I) switched to hand feeding to deal bowl aggression. My daughter lives down state so I only get to play a part periodically. Back then Jake bit her while being hand fed. If you would interrupt his train of thought away from food ie. petting him, you were sure to get a growl at least. It was suggested to use the 48 hour attention deprivation back then, which seemed a little harsh, so I checked on the use of a pinch collar. For the first two feedings I was in control of the leash, and correction seemed to work the very first time. Second feeding didn't require any correction. So I sent my daughter off with her fiance and their dog. After a month, I asked how it was going and she told me he still needed multiple corrections during feedings. Back at my house, I watched Jake eat and observed more of a fear of his bowl along with his aggressive attitude. Took away the pinch collar, and am trying last stitch effort before the 48 hour deal. Now have it where Jake has to come and ask for more before he gets more of his meal. I divided his kibble into three parts. He sits and stays for first part. Second part he has to come to me for pets, no growls allowed or feeding stops. Third part same. First night I did this, he refused to come to me (even when called) but he would lay on the floor and stare at me waiting for more food. We played a waiting game (about 45min.) when he came over. Second time only waited 20min. after that, he would come to me right away. Once again sent my daughter off with puppy and a new method. First time Jake waited or should I say my daughter waited for 1hr 45min. , second time 45 min. now he is coming to her right away. I think we are on the right path Any input????

[KOPsarah]

hi jaker 01 thanks for your post,
I would say the current method you are using is much more likely to succeed than the previous ones and you are on the right track. As the dominant members of the pack you, your daughter and her partner are in charge of food for the pack and control all access to it. By requiring the dog to approach you calmly and sit before feeding it you are saying that your require calm behavior before you will allow access to food and this is what would be expected in a wild dog pack.

Also in a wild dog pack the alpha leader/s are not required to show aggression to lower members simply because they control access to everything other pack members need, fighting only occurs when dogs are unsure of their position in the pack. For this reason physical correction actually tells the dog that you are not sure of your position as leader and you are trying to challenge the dog for the position.

So keep up the work with the feeding and also encourage your daughter to keep up the dogs alpha training.

[jaker104]

Thank you for your reply, timing could not have been better, for tonight my daughter had a negitive evening with Jake and was concerned if we were on the right track or not.
Thanks again, Peter