Started growling by food bowl

[balkis]

Hi Mike,

I am writing about Kaila today. After approx. 10 years of exactly the same feeding routine she has (since Friday) developed a new behaviour.

My dogs get feed twice a day - each having their own place to eat. Stitch and Kaila eat on the left and right side (respectively) of the refrigerator and Milo in the Dining Room. Kaila closest to the door to go outside.

All 3 dogs must sit and get an "ok" from us before they start eating. Stitch, Kaila and Milo get fed in that order - each one getting a separate "ok". Normally, all 3 dogs gobble up their food right away and then usually go outside or sit and wait to see who will leave something in their bowl. (no one ever leaves anything).

Kaila has now started this: goes to bowl, sniffs food, lays down near food and gives low growls - I am assuming to Stitch (while he is eating his own food) - then it seems that when he is done - gets up and starts eating her food. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT????

BTW - they are eating the same food I always feed them.

How should I deal with this? Do you have any idea what this is about?

The only thing I can think of is it is somehow related to the pain in her leg. We found out Friday - she has now fully torn the cruciate in her knee. About 4 months ago we found out it was a partially torn. We have been managing the pain since then with different supplements and meds. She is going to need surgery.

Do you think this is causing her to behave this way? If so, why and how can I manage it?

Thanks again for your help.

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

I would refer to the food rules found in this section:

http://www.selfhelpdogtraining.com/P...Structure.html

Sounds like Kaila is concerned that Stitch is the alpha that will take the food, so she guards it until she is sure he is not interested.

My guess is that this is from past experience of the dogs checkinbg out each others bowls and other non-related pack structure things going on in the past in particular where she doesnt realize that you are the only one who will take food and wouldnt allow stitch to take food.

My suggestion is to completely seperate them with a barrier when you feed them for now or even forever if you have growling going on.
Sometimes management is easier with multiple dogs.

The other options is to teach a good "leave it" to practice if any of the dogs approach the others bowls , even if there is no food left. These kind of exercises gets to the heart of the problem but wont work unless it is an all or nothing thing with the leadership things.

Her growling is a reflexion of her insecurity in the situation and that she feels the need to guard the food. So either way should fix that.