Problems at mealtime.

[SheltieChe]

Simple enough that my dogs easily violate it apparently. Or my dogs definition of "plentiful" is so large that I would never actually feed my dogs that much.

I think this problems starts with breeders and their meal feeding times. If puppies fed from one large plate they will naturally pick up habits like pushing each other out of the way and guarding their food etc while those that have X number of puppies plus 1 amount of dishes put out will nip it in the bud as there is no reason to fight there is always that one extra dish to go to
I have done number of things to make sure we have no food aggression in the house, including handfeeding, exchanging food in the middle for higher value, sticking my hands in their bowls, feeding from my sticky fingers after/ remember I feed raw/. I always give them several of something- like if they get chewies it is always 3 or 4 for two dogs, even if I have to remove rest once they done with first, presentation is of plenty.
Both of my dogs eat in their crates. They also know names connected to cookie- Leo's cookie, Che's cookie so they do not try to pounce if it not their turn.
But somehow somewhere I developed guarding issue with Mr Leo, except he is not about food, he is about me???? Mr. Leo made tremendous stink when we went to shelter... " No stinking doggie comes with us it is MY MOMMY" was very embarassing....How to fix that I have yet to arrive to conclusion.

 

[nbrard]

So far so good!

We followed our usual routine this morning, Brie barking while the food dishes are filled, and then both dogs following while I head to the eating locations. Mikos got his food and then I headed down the hall to where the crates are,and as soon as Brie realized where I was going she raced ahead and was waiting in her crate for me. I did the sit and wait and then let her eat while I closed the door and waited. I let her out when she was finished and she quickly checked out Mikos crate, he came in the room, she jumped and gave me her 'thanks mom' poke and then the 2 of them raced down the hall together! Hopefully we have nipped this in the bud!

 

[SheltieChe]

We followed our usual routine this morning, Brie barking while the food dishes are filled, and then both dogs following while I head to the eating locations. Mikos got his food and then I headed down the hall to where the crates are,and as soon as Brie realized where I was going she raced ahead and was waiting in her crate for me. I did the sit and wait and then let her eat while I closed the door and waited. I let her out when she was finished and she quickly checked out Mikos crate, he came in the room, she jumped and gave me her 'thanks mom' poke and then the 2 of them raced down the hall together! Hopefully we have nipped this in the bud!

you might also want to decrease excitement around meal time by filling bowls while dogs are out for walk and changing feeding times to unpredictable. Makes up for much nicer meals.
Giving food when dogs are nice and calm will help with general calm behavior.

 

[Calliesmom]

I think this problems starts with breeders and their meal feeding times. If puppies fed from one large plate they will naturally pick up habits like pushing each other out of the way and guarding their food etc while those that have X number of puppies plus 1 amount of dishes put out will nip it in the bud as there is no reason to fight there is always that one extra dish to go to
I have done number of things to make sure we have no food aggression in the house, including handfeeding, exchanging food in the middle for higher value, sticking my hands in their bowls, feeding from my sticky fingers after/ remember I feed raw/. I always give them several of something- like if they get chewies it is always 3 or 4 for two dogs, even if I have to remove rest once they done with first, presentation is of plenty.
Both of my dogs eat in their crates. They also know names connected to cookie- Leo's cookie, Che's cookie so they do not try to pounce if it not their turn.
But somehow somewhere I developed guarding issue with Mr Leo, except he is not about food, he is about me???? Mr. Leo made tremendous stink when we went to shelter... " No stinking doggie comes with us it is MY MOMMY" was very embarassing....How to fix that I have yet to arrive to conclusion.

you just need to clone yourself so the resource is 'plentiful'

 

[mbfrench]

Something that we've always done is in the middle of the meal we pick up the dog's food, and exchange it for something yummier (like a piece of meat), and then give them their food back. Now, we just take their food away, put our hands in it, etc...and they stop eating and wait for us to release them again.

I always thought that was important to train since my nieces and nephews might one day think it's fun to to take their food or pick up their bone while they're eating (it hasn't happened, but I'd like to know that if it did, my dogs would be okay with it).

Thats our theory as well here. We feed all 4 within a few feet of one another.Never,have we had agression issues,or grumbles.We pick up thier food in the middle of them crunching.We have always meddled in thier food,and in thier space from day one of being home.

They don't resume eating until we release them to do so.With the exception of Mia that is.Since she eats very slow,all the pups finish within seconds of one another.
And if one finishes first,they don't even dare to wander to another dish. I don't,nor would I allow it.