Cross Breeds

should i be worried when my dog does this?

When she's eating her food, she will sometimes growl if a person, of one of our cats, gets too close to her food. There's no pause in her eating, and she doesn't move aggressively, it's like a warning to back off. On other occassions, I can reach into her bowl while she eats and she doesn't do anything. Also, when the cats are given their food, she rarely steals from them, even when she can get away with it because no people are around. Sometimes she will reach in and take a bit of their food while the cat continues to eat, and then keep walking. My dog is large, and is a breed known for being aggressive (rotweiler cross, she's not as bulky as pure bred rotweiler's).

Public Comments

1. you definitely need to train that out. it's the beginning of recourse guarding and will get much worse if left unchecked. start feeding her little by little and not letting her have the food until you say so.
2. I would not accept growling while she is eating, expecially when a human approaches her.. I highly suggest you research NILIF (nothing in life is free) and apply it.
3. umm to tell you the truth I don't see anything bad in this behaviour why? because it's a way of saying this is my food..how would you react if someone took food from your plate?
4. Although you say she doesnt move aggressivly, this could soon esculate into food/bowl guarding, so whilst she is NOT doing this at the moment, start working on it. When you give her food, let her eat for a while then call her away and place something tastier in the bowl. She will learn that you touching her food is actually a good thing as she gets something better. This is a hard one to explain over the net and you really need to get someone in to show you how to do it properly. It can be fixed if you start now, before it gets out of control. Some people will tell you "its her food, just let her get on with it, you have no need to mess with it" but if you allow her to guard and protect her food, there may be a day when you slip/trip near her bowl while shes eating and that could cause major damage. A rottie is a guarding breed first and foremost, regardless of their mix and you want to sort this now, before it leads to anything else. It will be easier to fix in these early stages without it going to far. You dont mention how old she is?
5. alot of dogs growl when there is someone that they think will take their food away. she is just trying to tell your cats and everyone that its her food. I wouldnt worry about it until she starts snapping at someone. you might to not let her eat the cat food. it is really bad for dogs. maybe put up the cats food on a high table where she cant reach it. good luck =)
6. I would definitely work with her. But do not put yourself or your cats in danger. Try attaching some stuff animals to a long pole of some sort and act like you are walking it over to her while she is eating and see if she attacks it. That is one of the worst things for a dog to be an aggressive eater
7. Yes. Talk to a vet or trainer about it. I would say you should pour food into her bowl while she sits. Then hold the bowl and say OK to let her know its OK to approach the food. Let her eat for a few seconds and then pull the bowl away for a few seconds. Don't let go of the bowl until it is empty. If you hold it while she eats from it she will see that you give it to her then take it when you want because it is yours and you are kind to give her more and then can take it away again. So she will see that its yours to give to her or the cats or a person. If she is aggressive and bites this may not be safe but if she is safe to be around do this and take care of it before its too late and she does begin to bite.
8. Growling when eating isn't the best. If it's a bone then you understand it is more important but she shouldn't be doing it will just her normal food. Try giving her the food, taking it back and then giving it again. She should get the idea, that you *will* give it back. You can do the same thing with a bone but dogs can be more protective of that type of food.
9. need to work with that to redirect her. Trainer you could call.
10. I agree with the other people that this is the start of resource gaurding. There are a couple of things that you can do but firstly remember that the use of violence will only create more violence. Try avoid taking her food bowl away as this can encourage more negative behaviour. Rather put food/treats into her bowl. This will allow her to associate your precense with something nice and not the romoval of a highly prized resource. The next hting to do is get hold of 'Jan Fennells book the Dog Listner' It has a great 30 day program that is non-violent nad very practical to do. You should also try locate a reward based dog training school near by to start lessons with. You and you dog will enjoy getting out and doing stuff together.