Possessive over food

[abi]

Hi - Hoping for some advice...We've had our greyhounds for a couple of months now. Gucci (male) has started to behave aggressively towards Scoby (younger female) at meal times. He did this when they first arrived (growling and running between the two food bowls so that Scoby couldn't have any) so we started to feed them in separate rooms.

Things calmed down very quickly so we went back to feeding them both in the kitchen again - but at different ends. This worked fine and we had no problems. However, we've noticed that Scoby has started to become reluctant to eat and that Gucci will have some of his food and then go and eat hers. When she tries to go near her food, he snarls at her. I've begun to feed them both separately again but am wondering why this has started up again. Is there something else we should be doing to discourage this behaviour other than separate feeding? He's a very gentle boy the rest of the time but I'm worried that he might become aggressive to Scoby at other times too if we don't nip it in the bud. Thank you!

[davidbailey]

You ask: "Is there something else we should be doing to discourage this behaviour other than separate feeding?" there. First and foremost you must let the male dog know you are the boss, it's as simple as that. At the moment the dog doesn't believe you are.

You have to be very firm and not allow the hound to get away with this behaviour. I'll finish this in a private message to you.

[pat]

Hi Abi
this is quite a normal reaction from a dog that has been in kennels, it takes quite a while before they are not food orientated, the best thing I have found is to place both bowls either side of myself and if the dog starts to go over to her bowl then you quietly take him back to his own bowl with a very firm no, keep doing this until he realises that he is getting no where and he will soon get what he is supposed to do.She will also learn that she is safe to eat, it normally does not get where he will bully her outside of feeding, some dogs are a lot more food orientated than other, but this soon passes when they realise that you will not stand for bullying and also that the food is going to be there just for him.be firm but kind and it will work, mine all eat from their own bowls and do not touch the others until we say it is okay
pat

[davidbailey]

Abi, Pat has answered it perfectly. So I won't send a PM.

When these greyhounds leave the kennels and go into a pet life they have to forget every thing they have learnt thus far. The reality is in most cases these greyhounds need to know that someone actually cares for them and they are just not a disposable item.

As time goes on and they realise there is a new pecking order, they normally soften and welcome their new life with open paws. Greyhounds are the most adaptable dog that God ever made and they will soon adapt to you, but you still have to stress you are the boss. Good luck, although I'm sure you won't need it.

[Deleted]

I very much agree with the aspect of the 'pecking order' in that whether it's one dog or two (or three etc.) you have to assert yourself as 'alpha male'! I had this kind of experience with a previous rescue dog (not a greyhound) whereby the dog was calling the shots. Once I enforced the order of the 'pack' it became much easier to get the dog to understand the 'do's and don't's' of the home etc. As has been said though, greyhounds are very adaptable and soon accept the transition of environment from being in kennels to being in a family home.

All part of having such a wonderful breed of dog!!

[prince]

Hi abi
The foster girls that stay with me an my boy prince, when i feed them the bowls are apart and i stand inbetween them till they are finished, who ever finishes first i ask them to go in lounge and rest till the other one finishes, so they eat with no worries of anyone bothering them and they have no grumbles. So it is me who is boss.
It may take a few days but show them they eat there own food, an once finished they walk away. I wouldn't let them swop bowls for a while till they are both comfortable eating in the same room.

[abi]

Thank you everyone for all your advice and reassurance. I stood between their bowls this evening. Gucci made one attempt at Scoby's bowl but I sent him away and all was calm.

Thank you again!

[abi]

Hi, Gucci has had the occasional growl at Scoby away from mealtimes, usually when he is lying down and she comes near. Is this just part of him being number one dog or should I try to stop it? Scoby's reaction is to move away from him, she doesn't retaliate. At other times he doesn't mind her although they're not exactly best buddies!

[prince]

Hi Abi
i`ve had my boy Grumble at some of the foster dogs that have stayed with me, when they have only walked past him to jump on the sofa next to him. I tell my boy off as it not exceptable when they are only guests staying for a while. I`m stern when i tell him off and it usually only happens the once and he realises he was naughty doing it.

[suethejam]

We usually tell them off if they growl in the house - for whatever reason - just to establish ourselves as "top dog" - having said that, it's often understandable that one will growl at the other if they're about to be trodden on!

All of our dogs have just "rubbed along" - other than Poppy and Ollie, who came as a pair, we've never had hounds that cuddle up to each other - we've had to accept that as fine - they're all happy enough :-)