Is this normal behavior?

Both my corgi and my foster Milo didn't know what to do with a chewie when I gave them one. They didn't show interest until I held it for them to eat. I've never had a dog do this, so I think its weird, is it a corgi thing?

Also, food aggression in Freya is a lot worse now...even though she's protected and her food is protected as all of the dogs are in separate room during feedings and treats. I know this has something to do with the foster. I'm not sure if there's anything else I can do.

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Permalink Reply by Christie & Mauricio on April 22, 2009 at 4:16pm

I've been reading "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell and just yesterday I read a section about dogs that were not well socialized or had been held at puppy mills or had very little human contact at an early age will typically not show any interest in toys or treats. they have to be "trained" that these are actually fun things. I don't know what Freya's background is but perhaps this could be the cause of the issue with a fostered dog.

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on April 22, 2009 at 4:39pm

Freya doesn't have that issue. She has had a ton of human and doggie interaction from the get go. Her breeder had not only the mom but the grand parents and the aunt there--then there was the four random dogs she got plus the one outside. She also has teenagers/twentysomethings there so she had a constant stream of friends coming and going.

I guess that would be the case with Milo. Not terribly sure why Freya does it though. I guess she waits to see if it is ok?

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Permalink Reply by Alice on April 23, 2009 at 1:26pm

Finn has never refused anything we've given him. He loves to chew and Sam's Yams sweet potato chews are his absolute favorite. I make him get on his dog bed before giving him chews and when he sees me get out the yams he runs straight for the bed without my having to say a word.

I don't know what to tell you about the food aggression. Finn has never had that problem. Since we got him we made sure to do all we could to prevent that and it seems to have worked. We would give him his food then take it away or put our hands in his food while he's eating, put our faces by him while he's eating, feed him out of our hands, take away toys and treats and not allow him to take them back but rather wait until we offer it back and praise him for waiting. What have you done so far to work with you on he food guarding?

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Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on April 23, 2009 at 2:52pm

I've been feeding Freya by hand from the get go. I have taken and returned toys and chews to her. She only had issues if she saw another dog near by. Though now it has elevated to hearing another dog. I've been feeding her in the crate, next to me, in the bathroom and made sure that all dogs are in another location. Milo is bad about food with other dogs as well--but that is to be expected as he's been living on the streets for who knows how long.

We've been working on Freya and Cloud together as well. I try to maintain the order and feed Cloud first and then Freya. However, she is very slow and Cloud will try and take it away. We've been giving him the wait command and watching both like hawks when we give them cookies. I will admit that I haven't actually placed my hand in her food bowl though so I may have to start doing that too.

Freya is a very dominant little girl. I think she is more dominant than the two boys combined. She wants her way and she will try her best to get it. I have to constantly put her in her place, ignore her...whatever is applicable at that time. I've been working on the NILF program which has helped a lot in the house too.