Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey I posted a while back about problems walking my dog and yous all helped me alot, so now i come to you with a bigger problem. My dog "Rebel" has been awsome since we got him, very few problems at all he was raised with my little sister and they are like best friends they hang out and stuff its funny, now out of nowhere he started growling when anyone goes near him when he is near his food, the first time it was my sister who is 2 and a half. He growled barked and snapped towards her he didnt bite her but he could have had he wanted to. So i yelled no at him and put him out back for a few hours. Now he lays by the bowl allmost like he is protecting it rather than eating it. My dad asked on another forum and people are sayin we need to take him to a trainer but we are about to lose our house so paying for a trainer is not a option and this needs to be stopped especially toward the baby. Any tips would be awsome he is my best friend my human friends are jelious and i will move away from my family before i get rid of him wich i dont want to do because they need my income in in between a rock and a hrad place on this one here are some pics of him..

First, feed him privately, and don't let anyone or any other animal bother him while he is eating. This food protective behavior is unfortunately normal to dogs if they have ever been stimulated into it. So don't let that happen anymore.

You can work on the problem, to add a margin of safety. Here is a link to an article (free, no need to register there or anything) that explains how to work on a dog's overprotectiveness of food:

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 articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thanks for the advice i tried it and i am already noticing a big improvment. Still work do be done but at least we are going in the right direction thanks again.

There's always some training that needs to be done- glad to read that Kathy's advice helped out. Keep up the good work and post back with updates.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles