Avoiding fights at puppy mealtimes
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It's often at mealtimes that dogs are at their most aggressive and difficult to handle. A single puppy or dog will usually concentrate on getting their dinner down as quickly as possible, and it's only when a person comes too near that they growl or snap.
This behaviour shouldn't be tolerated at all- it may be amusing when the growler is a cute ball of fur, but it's just dangerous in an adult dog, especially if there are small children around. Discipline is an important part of dog nutrition. It is essential that a dog respects its owner at all times, even when feeding. A puppy should be taught that a human close to its food is not a threat and the earlier this happens, the easier it will be.
Problems also arise when two or more dogs are eating together. The more dominant animal often eats faster then pushes the other off their dish. Dog nutrition is doubly difficult when one is getting more than another, and of course this isn't fair on the less aggressive dog. The easiest solution here is to separate the dogs and feed them in different rooms.
However, training can also help. Once the first dog has finished eating, take them to the other side of the room to play a game, be groomed, or just distracted with a little extra attention. Every time they turn back towards the food bowl, turn them back around and give them something else to think about.
Make sure each dog is fed in the same place every day, so they know which food is theirs and which isn't. This may be as simple as always placing one dog's bowl on the right and the other on the left.
It won't be long before the less aggressive dog gets used to being allowed to finish their dinner, and the more dominant one realises that finishing first doesn't mean getting more food. |
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Author Resource:-
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By :
Nick Campbell
Submitted
2011-08-11 00:06:08 |
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