Food agression

[deval]

I RESCUED MY BASSET HOUND FROM BEING LEFT IN A CRATE TO STARVE TO DEATH.SHE WAS VERY EMANCIATED WHEN I GOT HER.SHE FIGHTS OUR LAB.OVER FOOD AND TREATS.HOW CAN WE STOP HER FROM DOING THIS?SHE WILL LET US PUT OUR HANDS IN HER FOOD BOWL AND SHE NEVED WAS AGRESSIVE WITH US.WE LOVE HER DEARLY.PLEASE HELP.

[Jim Humphries, B.S., D.V.M.]

This is a simple one.  Feed them in separate rooms or at separate times.  I have 4 dogs and we have a little of this going on also.  By feeding separately it completely solves the problem.  No need to go into complicated behavior mods or training, just a door or a wall does the trick.  

It is very good that she is not aggressive toward you.  I suggest to keep it that way you always make her do something to earn the food bowl.  Like a simple sit, or sit-stay, wait a couple of seconds, praise her, then reward with food.  I do that every day with every dog and they really have the "sit" down!!  

[Suzanne Hetts, PhD]

I agree wtih Dr. Jim. Separate the dogs at feeding time for now.  In time she may stop doing this on her own.  If it is important that the dogs be able to eat in the same room or in proximity to one another then work on it a little bit at time.  Feed them in separate rooms or at opposite ends of the room, whateve it takes to prevent the aggression.  Then move the food bowls closer by just a few inches, feed them at that distance for a week or so, then inch closer a bit more.  It would be a good idea to  keep a baby gat eor other barrier up during training.  You can also use a large piece of plywood to block the sight of the other dog, and move it to the side just for a few seconds so the dogs can see one another and then build on that.

But unless there is a good reason to ahve to go through this training, just feeding them separately should be sufficient to manage the problem.