Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on April 5, 2009 at 10:40pm

Doesn't matter who is the alpha dog in your pack..you are not to allow this type of behavior. At the first sound of a grumble you get them to stop and keep things in order. If this continues it will only get worse. Say her name and tell her to stop it or be quiet. Same goes for the others as well....they are to stay out of her little space till everyone is finished. I can have all 7 in the kitchen eating and they know where to go and to leave the others alone until they are finished.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lucy Hicks on April 6, 2009 at 8:16pm

Thank you for your advice. I am not going to tolerate this type of behavior, but I have devised a plan that does involve specific rules. I do believe that for some time, I will have to be the one who feeds them - not my husband too. Each of the dogs have a designated eating area and they are fed at the same time. The jack russell is a slow eater and lilly inhales her food.
Like I said - this is so new behavior I was really taken aback. I will make sure Lilly eats slower, everyone stays in their 'place' and all empty bowls are up as soon as they finish.
Thanks again

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ross on April 6, 2009 at 5:28pm

Sounds like typical corgi food aggression, the easiest way to remedy this is just to feed her in her crate or just keep your other dog away from her when she's eating.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lucy Hicks on April 6, 2009 at 8:19pm

Hi
Thanks for your advice - hope that I will not have to resort to eating in the crate, but will do if I can not get this under control. It has just started happening and it is not everytime they eat.....
Will keep you posted.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Amanda on April 6, 2009 at 8:29pm

I agree with what everyone else said, also if they happen to get around each other and you hear a growl, use a sharp verbal distraction to get their attention away from each other and onto you, praise for being calm, and separate them again. It also helps when you distract them, to put yourself in between them. I would face and focus mostly on the one who is doing the growling, keep her attention a few seconds, then release and remove the other dog from the area. Hope this helps! Oh and also, does she growl at you too around food? What I mean is, could you reach down and put your hand around her food or even pick up the bowl without her aggressing toward you? If she is aggressive toward you, you've got another problem on your hands and you need to quickly teach a "leave it" command. It also helps to make them sit and wait while you put their food down until you release them to eat. I make mine wait about 3-5 seconds, release, good boy, praise, etc. I also frequently reach down and pet him while he's eating, I may take a kibble out of his bowl to see his reaction. If I tell him to leave it he should pick his head up and watch me until I release him. I don't do this often because he does not have a problem with food aggression, but it could help in establishing your position with a food aggressive dog. Always be careful though, and start off slow, you don't want your dog to bite you. Sorry for the long post, again, hope it helps!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sam on April 6, 2009 at 10:20pm

Once piece of advice I give to ALL of our adopters. Confine corgis at feeding time. This is typically the first problem corgis will have in a multi-dog household. The more dogs the harder it is to control. This totally takes the guesswork out of it. I also make a point of picking up empty bowls. Has always worked well for me.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanton on April 6, 2009 at 10:25pm

Interesting, my little girl is also turning 16 months and is showing similar signs of protectiveness over some things, and yet is a friendly, outgoing type with other dogs and people (and the worst of her actions tend to be directed toward other females). So I too have a no tolerance policy toward growling and those related behaviors. It's working, slowly -- they are able to eat in the kitchen together without problems -- but there are still issues over some toys and (you had to be there) a dirty sock of mine. Oh, where did my little puppy go! It's like having a teenager in the house, hahaha. We are also revisiting obedience school so I can really work with her and get a better feel for how she reacts to different situations. But with clear guidance from me, it is definitely improving.

• ▶ Reply