Snappy dog....

[Snooze]

:(
I hope that someone can offer a solution to my problem.

I have a 5 yr old Ridgeback that is normally a fantastic family companion. He has always been food obsessed but over the past few months has become quite snappy. Today he snapped at my son's friend who had a packet of sweets that the dog obviously thought he should have. The problem is he made contact.

Also recently he's started to growl at me - teeth bared - when I tell him off for either stealing food or snapping. I wonder if this might be fear related though, and no we don't beat him. He just doesn't like to be told off.

I have recently moved his bed out of my bedroom as I thought he was getting too big for his boots and had decided that the bed was for him (when I wasn't there) if not there, then on the sofa.

I'm not sure whether he thinks that he is higher up in the food chain than the rest of the family (not me tho') and that any food is his by rights. He is fed before the rest of the family, would it be worth changing his feed time do you think, to say 7.00pm instead of 5.00?

The dog idolises me but also loves the rest of the family so you can understand that I'm beside myself not being able to control this. He does understand 'leave' and 'no' and 'off' and always has done but just chooses to forget on occassion. He doesn't start to eat his food until I say he can, but never steals food from me. He does understand 'gentle' but can still be clumsy with his teeth.

I really don't want to be in the situation of having to have him put to sleep because he's badly bitten someone - please can you help?

[sarabe]

The rules of ownership are different for dogs than they are for us humans. :) How does it go? -


If I like it, it's mine.
If it's in my mouth, it's mine.
If I can take it from you, it's mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
If I'm chewing something up, all the pieces are mine.
If it just looks like mine, it's mine.
If I saw it first, it's mine.
If you are playing with something, and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
If it's broken, it's yours.
:D
The problem with the 'No', 'Leave' and 'Off' is that whilst it interrupts and stops the 'wrong' behaviour and may even prevent it if the dog was thinking of doing something that you didn't wish them to, it doesn't actually teach them not to do it when you are not with them. I bet that you could use any word, said in the same tone of voice, and it would have the desired effect, giving the impression that the dog understands. In my experience, this teaches dogs to be sneaky and do it 'behind your back.'

Being a good leader means setting a good example for others to follow and dogs learn what is acceptable and what isn't by observing the behaviour of others. So if you get cross and snatch stuff away from him he may do the same to your children or anyone that he sees as a 'pushover' because he has learnt from your example that this is what you do if you want something bad enough.

My advice would be to focus on what you do want him to do using play, praise and food as rewards for good behaviour and do your utmost to deny him the opportunity to go wrong. This will mean extra vigilance on your part by keeping kitchen surfaces and dining tables clear so that he cannot steal food and don't let the children eat sweets when the dog will have access to them.

For an enlightened view on rank and whether you should change his feeding time have a look here. http://www.dog-dominance.co.uk/

[Liz]

Sounds like he's trying it on -I don't know much about ridgebacks but I've heard they are very strong willed -give 'em an inch and they'll go for the whole 9 yards :lol: -I'd re-introduce basic rules -waiting for food -and get the kids involved in bits of training -just a few sits and downs etc every now and again -just to instill back in him who is in charge

[SpeedsMum]

As with any sudden change in behaviour, before embarking on any kind of training to cure this problem, you really should take him to the vet and see if there's anything medically wrong with him.

You stated he's always been a little food obssessed - have you changed his food recently? How long ago was he last wormed? It almost sounds as though he's just plain hungry and goes over the top! What is he fed on?

Annette