Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
This week we begin with some family fun featuring some K9 FUN FACTS.
1. Did you know dogs can sniff at the same time as breathing.
2. Did you know dogs use their tails for swimming and to keep balance while running.
3. Did you know some dogs have such good noses they can sniff out medical problems, such as seizures, cancer, and insulin levels.
4. Did you know that dogs have 3 eyelids. The third lid is called “haw” and keeps the eye protected and lubricated.
5. Did you know there are two different breeds that have a fully black tongue. These breeds are a Chow Chow, and a Shar-Peis.
Welcome to Doggie Dialogue
Food aggression is also known as food guarding. This is a natural instinct and is quite common with dogs. Dogs sometimes learn this behaviour as a puppy. Most experts believe this aggression is simply a generic trait.
Signs of food aggression can vary, from growling, lunging, snapping, or even biting, when a person or another pet gets too close to their food bowl when eating. Some K9’s may eat faster than usual; this is a sign of food aggression as well.
Some K9’s will rotate their body to keep an eye on you while they eat, sometimes even stiffening their body.
Training to assist with this behaviour will vary from dog to dog, and household to household. For example, do you have more then one dog in the home? Does your K9 need to be isolated from the pack when eating?
Has your K9 bitten a family member, when removing the food bowl? If this is the case, then please contact Paul for assistance on this behaviour.
Other experts have recommended different training techniques such as, you can start each meal, by handfeeding your K9 a piece of food from your hand. (To avoid accidental nipping, offer the food with a flat, upward-facing palm.)
Vets recommend starting this process by using bland food. It is recommended to do this for 1-2 weeks. Feed a few pieces of kibble at a time, until you have fed your K9 ¾ of their food, then slowly place the rest of their food into their bowl. (If you feed your K9 wet food, you can use a spoon.)
With this type of training exercise, your K9 will get use to you being close to their bowl and understand you are NOT an intruder.
Transitioning from handfeeding to bowl-feeding allows you to gradually reduce the amount of food you hand-feed them. Reduce to ½ the amount over the course of the 2nd week.
When your dog understands that your presence during mealtime isn’t something to worry about, reinforce your presence with positive associate by offering a high value treat to their bowl.
Do not remove your K9’s bowl until they have walked away from their bowl and even have left the room.
Remember never get into a power struggle with your dog. Please feel free to reach out to Paul should you have any additional questions.
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