Question:His food dish is located in the bedroom and when he has food in his bowl, no matter if he is eating it or not, he always chases or growls at the cat. He and the cat get along otherwise.. they play together, so it isn't play, He is just really territorial with his food. Is there any tricks that anyone knows that can help train him.
Answers:
This can turn your pretty little cocker spaniel into quite the ugly little problem. But, its a relatively easy fix. It will just take a little bit of time.
Do you free feed your dog? In other words, does he have his food down for him all the time? Is his dish always in his possession, with food in it or not?
Have you ever heard of the training method that "Nothing in Life is Free"? If your dog wants to eat, he has to work for it.
You need to approach the situation with this mentality first and foremost: The food is YOURS, not your dog's. You are simply allowing him to eat YOUR food. If you think this, it will make it easier to convey through your energy to your dog that YOU decide when he eats YOUR food. Its not his. He has to earn it.
This sounds crazy, but it works! You need to treat the dog food like a treat. Make him sit, then feed him a handful, or a few bits... However much you want as long as it comes from your hand. When I do this, I usually use the food dish, as the dog has already associated that dish with food and mealtime. It just helps to reinforce to him that the bowl is YOURS, not his. Handfeeding him will remind him that you are the decision maker, not him. Its yours, not his.
You can progress back to being able to feed him his food from his bowl on the floor or in his feeder, but it will take time! Handfeeding is time consuming and can be frustrating, but in the end its worth it, and its valuable time spent with your dog.
I'm open to answer any questions you may have, feel free to email me or IM me: ropintozinmt@yahoo.com
Good luck!
i would not leave food down all day long for your dog. i would schedule feed your dog that helps with dominant issues and also will protect your cat if the food is not there your dog will relax it is actually stressful for your dog to protect food all day long too. good luck
i n the bedroom eh ,breakfast in / out of bed
put his food out side ,don't let the cat near him .
let him eat in piece, before he eats the cat ..
Our two dogs do the same thing you describe....The littler one will growl and hog the food dish, until you call the little one, then he comes right up to you and the big one eats up....lol
Otherwise, let them settle it their way, they are dogs and have their own way of growling, not our way of what is right, or just, etc.
Let them do it their way, unless you speak dog (consult Cesar Millan, though) to do things their way.
Have you watch "The dog whisperer"? It is a really good show for dog owners. They will give you hints for everything.
More Questions & Answers...