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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on December 6, 2010 at 8:06am

I had an instructor years ago that recommended this method: Bring her half her food portion in your hands. Put it in her bowl and when she starts to eat bring the rest in your hands. If she growls, stiffens, or bares her teeth put the food back in the container.Do this every time until she welcomes you coming with the other half. She claimed to have used this on many rescued dogs (she specialized in Pits and GSD) and never had a dog stay food aggressive more than three days. It worked on Sparty after one meal at half portion. That was about 8 years ago and even as a somewhat grouchy 12 year old he will let anyone play in his food. People = food with this method. As far as the dog aggression, I would talk to an obedience instructor and get some professional help. Good for you for helping a corgi in need!

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on December 6, 2010 at 10:02am

Hi Joette, from my fosters experience, it'll take at least 1 month for the new dog to adjust and reveal her true self in a new environment. More complex when you have your own pack. Perhaps she was bullied and had to fight for her food in the past, give her time and be patient, earn her trust and let her know that this is her forever home now. Corgis can be food possessive, give her own bowl and crate, far and safe from other dogs and distractions. You can also hand feed her with your palm open on top, give a command, let her eat when she complies, she'll learn that you control the food source. Walk her on leash 45-90 mins a day, when situation arise, use your body to step in, defend her honour, let her know that "you got this" and that she has nothing to worry about. Remember, even human takes time to earn another's trust. Thank you for adopting a corgi, you'll be rewarded :)

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Permalink Reply by Joette C Abraham on February 22, 2011 at 6:54am

Sam...

Finally getting back to you..

Heidi is doing a little better around other dogs....

Mostly larger dogs then herself...

When we walk and encounter others she now looks away and acts like she is ignoring them..

Haven't tried her with small dogs again...Not sure I want to have another friends dog injured by my girl..

She is finally becoming part of my little cat pack....She is the first Canine to enter my household...She still has some problems with the cats...The CHASE is still very interesting to her....And I can not have any food be it animal or people food around with her and the cats...She gets very aggressive...

Will keep you posted....

 

J

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Sarah K on February 22, 2011 at 10:00am

We adopted a 4 y/o pembroke a year ago. He was seriously dog aggressive & mildly food agressive. It's been a slow process--& we really didn't start on the aggression first. We started with basic obedience & making sure the other dogs were safe. We made sure that he was muzzled in the company of other animals. At the very least, when in public, use a Halti.  He's owned by my 20 y/o son who has really made Spudz understand that people are in charge. Gaining his trust, and working slowly seemed to be the key. I can't say that I 'trust' Spudz completely with other dogs, but I know I can say 'leave it' & he will obey me. We learned his triggers, know when he starts to 'buff up' and absolutely make his life hell if he doesn't mind.

 

Right now--Spudz is our slave & totally devoted to the nearest human (source of food) He is safe for anyone to feed & doesn't protect his dish anymore. We had isolated him for months away from strange dogs--and are slowly reintroducing him to new ones. He'd attacked our fluffy & seriously injured him in the beginning--& they still despise each other. (kinda funny to watch that dynamic--they don't growl or buff up- they just blatantly ignore each other). The younger dog he'd been kenneled with at the mill, has mutilated ears & lot's of scars on his face from Spudz.  Those two get along fine now-without a bit of aggression.

 

I guess this is just the long way to say, be careful, be consistent with food, training & safety. It'll get better over time. Let her learn to trust you, which is IMHO the first & most important step. 

 

Sarah

 

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on February 22, 2011 at 4:54pm

Al can be a bit food-aggressive -- at least he went thru a phase -- so Lori would crate him, or make him "go to his room" while she was preparing food.  We still feed them about 5 feet apart.  We've largely forgotten about it, but Al still thinks he has to go to his crate in order to get fed.  Funny. 

They both know they have to stay out of the kitchen while food's being prepared.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on February 23, 2011 at 8:42am

Thank you for adopting this girl:) It takes time and the best thing you can do is give her her own space /area and crate when you can't be there to watch her and also this as a place she can go to always. My rescues still like going to their crate especially when I am gone. I have a hallway with a crate that I still use when I leave. Slowly introduce everything but some of her aggression could also be out of fear so I would work with her on the house issues before starting anything else. Once she learns you are in charge and she can trust you plus is feeling more comfortable things should get better. Sam is right it will take at least a month for her to acclimate. If it were me I would also get her a Martigale collar for when you take her out just so if she does get dog aggressive she won't slip out of her collar and then you could have a real fight. Good luck...can't wait to hear updates!

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Permalink Reply by Julia on February 23, 2011 at 11:58pm

Joette,

This can be a serious problem, and can get worse if you don't work on it. It is the kind of behavior that will need a behavior program, meaning that you will need a plan, and stay with it.

Here's a good resource, and good place to start. We have often found that the ASPCA web site has helpful advice for pet owners, and this is one of them:  http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/70/Food-Guarding.aspx .

Good luck. And congrats on your lovely new Pem.

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Permalink Reply by Joette C Abraham on June 13, 2011 at 4:46am

Ok...so it's June and the little pack is getting along much better...Heidi now knows that the cats in the house are part of the family....We can all hang together. The best part is that when I am in the house I leave all doors open and everyone gets along pretty well..I do have a Tuxedo cat that is still not very thrilled with "THE DOG""" He still hisses at her from time to time...the good thing is Heidi doesn't go after him as much anymore...We are actually able to all sleep together finally.....As for food....I can actually eat with her around, although I prefer to take her out of the situation and give her a treat while I have mine....she seems to be pretty happy with the idea...Thanks for all of your info....Oh...re the food thing...she is not aggressive with me when I put food in the bowl...and I can touch the bowl, rub on her while she eats..so no problems with that...She really gobbles down her food..I am trying to get her to slow down, but to no avail...just seems to act like she doesn't know if she will ever eat again...will check back in after vacation......j

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Permalink Reply by Joette C Abraham on June 13, 2011 at 4:47am

PS...She has finally found her voice...she is now vocal when we play....and when she hangs with her BIG FRIEND DOGS ....it's so funny to see how funny she really is.....j

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on June 13, 2011 at 8:47am

Glad things have gotten better:)

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