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Blue male chow 4.5 months old, gets nasty during feeding. We tried many methods and none seem to work. We were told feed him by hand so he knows who gives him his food. He still growled, we would correct him for showing aggression and it worked but not like everyone says it should. Yesterday I decided not to correct. I pet him while he eats. When my voice tone gets higher, he seems to growl more. (again, this is only during feeding). I also considered that when he's eating, he growls, we correct or simpy take his food away. It was as if every feeding resulted in his discomfort. Instead I kept petting him while he was still growling and told him it was OK, real gushy like. After awhile he realized he could still eat but it would have to be while I pet him. This seems to be working much better. I keep my leg in between he and I and I keep a lead in my hand while he wears a prong collar. I want instant protection should he feel fiesty and try to bite me.

>>Blue male chow 4.5 months old, gets nasty during feeding. We tried many methods and none seem to work. We were told feed him by hand so he knows who gives him his food. He still growled, we would correct him for showing aggression and it worked but not like everyone says it should. Yesterday I decided not to correct. I pet him while he eats. When my voice tone gets higher, he seems to growl more. (again, this is only during feeding). I also considered that when he's eating, he growls, we correct or simpy take his food away. It was as if every feeding resulted in his discomfort. Instead I kept petting him while he was still growling and told him it was OK, real gushy like. After awhile he realized he could still eat but it would have to be while I pet him. This seems to be working much better. I keep my leg in between he and I and I keep a lead in my hand while he wears a prong collar. I want instant protection should he feel fiesty and try to bite me.

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Correcting a dog for food aggression WILL make the food aggression worse. That is a dangerous method. Here is one method for you to consider:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1462&S=1&SourceID=47
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

That article sounded almost identical to the way we are approaching this issue. Last night I used a slice of cheese while I fed him. He still growls but it is gradually slowing. We were frustrated because many people have told us many different things and recommended many different books and devices...We are not made of money! As new puppy owners (we've only EVER had rescues as pets. Even ALL 3 of our snakes are rescues) we realized even though we've had dogs, cats, snakes, rats....raising a PUPPY is a whole different world. 1 mistake I will never do again, and highly discourage anyone else from doing, is purchase or obtain a PUPPY durng the winter. What a pain in the ass! Allot of training and socializing requires exterior scenarios and it's to d--- cold! I would only get a puppy around March so by the time he or she is around 4 months (May timeframe), where we are now, people are starting to come outside and get together. Plus house training is also a COLD pain in the a--! Man, it was rough. By the time Bruno is able to get some good socializing in he'll be 7 months old. We still take him to places like Petsmart etc but all the kids sports are indoors. No-one is having picnics or cookouts etc. Anyway, it's about breakfast time so I'm going to try again.

DZ

battling aggression with aggressive techniques usually isn't very effective.