kittenta Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 She has always done this since a pup so it isn't anything new but seeing as a vet can't tell me maybe someone else has an idea! When she eats her food she eats it so fast that she nearly chokes. Not only that but she will scrounge around for food and eat and eat (i don't let her) until she is sick and then would start eating again. She's crazy. She has never been deprived of food other than I was told when she was a pup still with her mom they didn't get much food but she is 10 years old now, surely she should have realised that it isn't the case anymore?? I even have to lock her in the kitchen and the cats out to feed her because she will attack the cats over food. She is wormed regulary with stuff from the vet and there is no sign of any so it isn't that. Maybe shes just wierd?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 when they are tiny pups they are 'programmed' for life. We had a jack russell who was in such a small confined space at the breeder's premises that the pups had no space to define an area as a toilet. As a consequence, whenever he was kennelled, we wound up with soiled bedding. Absolutely nothing we could do about it (The breeder was closed down shortly after we got our pup) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallBuilder Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 My mum's border collie was a gannet when it came to food, eat and eat and eat as fast as she could and at the same time giving a low continuous growling noise if anyone dared to be standing within ten feet of her and her bowl. This behaviour continued to her dying day and even when she was extremely old completely deaf and blind she could still woldf her food down and warn off any intrusive invader. My German Shepherd knew to keep his distance!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotti Posted September 24, 2006 Share Posted September 24, 2006 Takara's exactly the same (ask Strix!), We have a stairgate so the dogs can't go upstairs and the cats food is put upstairs for them because otherwise Takara will eat it. Thankfully though she won't attack for it. She has started having a go at Eddy when his food is put down but a strict 'no' and returning to the NILIF programme has done wonders! I tell her to sit and wait at the other side of the kitchen, put Eddy's down. If she rushed over to it, I told her no, put her back into a sit and told her to wait. Then I told her to wait while I put her food dish down and said 'paid for' when she could eat it. You could try using the NILIF programme for your dog, make sure that whenever you give her anything at all, she has to work for it. Even if that's just sit and paw. Also, when she's chewing something like a chew toy/bone. Distract her and remove it from her (being careful not to get bitten if you think she might) then when you've got it from her, praise her and give it straight back. This will help her to learn that the food isn't going to be taken away from her and she may be a bit calmer about the whole affair. As far as stealing goes, I have had to decide to muzzle Takara in the park, not because she's aggressive but because she hijacks picnics, disposes of rubbish and today stole someone's pizza What I do if I see them in enough time to stop her, is get her on a long lead, and let her go near them but say 'aha! leave' if she keeps going, I've got the lead to ensure she is under control but if she ignores it, she gets a treat from my bag. It does work, it's just that lately I haven't been doing it and she embarassed me big time today when someone was none too pleased that my dog had stolen his pizza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallBuilder Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 My dog max has just recieved the most unexpected present as i was munching on a nice bit of pie and made the mistake of rreading Lotti's post. The image of a dalmatian snatching a pizza had me laughing and choking at the same time and Max was within range. I always try to make sure that I've got some money on me as there is nothing worse than hearing the anguished screams of some little kiddy who has been left holding only a cone [if they're lucky] and max slurping noisily as he tries to dispose of the evidence. All dog owners though should be able to take food away from their dog it's a rule I'm pretty strict about as it can stop the aggressive guarding of the food bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotti Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 Yep, I agree wallbuilder. I can take anything off of either of my two. However if Takara steals something she's not allowed she runs under the table and then she snaps if you don't approach her right. She wouldn't hurt you, but she warns you off! I've found that my dad and sister can't get things off her when she steals them because they tell her off and go to take it. I gently and quietly ask her to give it me and she will let it go but if you raise your voice the dog stresses out and protects their prize. I always practice taking things off her though to ensure she stays good natured about it. Edit to add: if she's chewing a bone she will come and give it me to hold while she eats it! or if I'm eating something nice she will bring me all her toys to swap! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittenta Posted September 28, 2006 Author Share Posted September 28, 2006 Our Sukie will often let us hold one end of her chews, I can move her dish around the kitchen without her getting the face on but i've never tried to take it off her. I have suspisions that she had to fight for her food as a pup and she was very thin when we got her. They were apperently kept, mom and pups, in a small kennel at the bottom of the garden which had a door on and was closed to keep them in. If I ask her if I can have a bit when she has her dinner she wags her tail but keeps eating. I thought that by taking her food away and giving it back it would make her think someone would take it away and make her more defensive? I don't mind really, it just means making sure i shut the dorrs and block the cat flap etc so she's by herself when she eating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 There's always exceptions to the rules Kittenta *eyes beagle in basket * It's important to read your own dog, listen to all the conflicting advice, read your dog some more, and decide how best you're going to tackle this one together If one course of action doesn't produce the desired results, don't give up, just try something different. I assume meal times are always dead on the same time every day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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