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Forums > Ratty Related Discussion > Training
Subject: Biting Issue
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jingebri


Terrier Terror
Terrier Terror
07/04/2007 11:36 AM  

I've had my Rat Terrier (Izzy) for about a month now. I got him from the Humane Society that I work at. They said he had food guarding issues that haven't shown until recently. Anytime he gets something that he knows he cant have (people food, animal poop.. anything besides HIS food) he clamps down his jaw and won't let you get it. He has biten me so many times now I can't even count. It's not hard enough to break the skin but it still hurts! He has even bit me when I tried to pick him up and get him away from a dog when he was loose outside.

I love him dearly and I don't want to bring him back because I know he will be put down because of his issues. I plan on bringing him to obedience class in a month or so when it starts again, but I dont know what to do right now. I have been rolling him on his back when he does this and telling him NO.  Trying to let him know that IM the boss. But even after it is said and done he is still pretty pissy and will bite if you try to even touch him. Ugh!

Does anyone else have this problem?
-Jen-
mama to Izzy
rattytatty


Newbie
Newbie
07/04/2007 2:18 PM  
The obedience classes will help... good for you for doing this!
There is another thread in the training forum where I explained to another member (Nat) how to feed her dog in an effort to decrease the food aggression. I'll try to find it, and will copy and paste it here so you can read it.
rattytatty


Newbie
Newbie
07/04/2007 2:20 PM  
Here it is.... this was written in response to a question that Nat asked... hope it helps!

***********************************************

Nat..... NEVER and I mean NEVER try to take food away from her!! You are asking for trouble when you do that ! From Cookie's perspective, she's doing nothing wrong... she's merely guarding/protecting her food, and it's a dog's nature to do that. And... she warned you with her growls and lunges. Most dog bites ARE followed by some type of warning by the dog.

Nat, it's up to YOU to teach her the proper behavior... but please don't try to take her food away from her again else you may end up with a more serious bite than you have already.

Do not free feed her.... or you are allowing her to "win". Also... do not punish her or you might make it worse.

Try this...

Do away with her food bowl ENTIRELY for a week or two. Cookie will be dining out of your hand, just a few kibbles at a time.

After two weeks, return of the food bowl, but it should remain empty until you pass by and drop a few kibbles in it. After those are eaten up, drop small handfuls into her bowl at intervals of one to three minutes until the whole meal has been consumed. By now Cookie should be practically begging you to approach her bowl.

Put a semi-filled bowl on the floor and, as you pass by, drop in a few better-than-kibbles tidbits. On your next pass by the bowl, add the remaining kibbles. Do this for about a week.

After that week, put a full food bowl on the floor as your Cookie holds a sit and stay (she does sit and stay, right?). Release her with a cheery "okay." Then, once or twice a week, call her away from her bowl during mealtime and reward her with a tasty tidbit for coming to you. Using your sit-and-stay, wait, and take-it commands with Cookie and this will make it absolutely clear to her who owns the kitchen and the tasty morsels in it.

Each of these steps should be undertaken for 10 to 14 days at each meal before going to the next step. While you are grappling with a food guarding problem, Cookie should WEAR A LEASH AT MEALTIMES as a safety measure, but don't use it to control her uness you are in jeopardy of being hurt.

Nat, I highly recommend to you a basic obedience course to establish your handler leadership to Cookie. Finally, if you experience any backsliding, return to feeding her from your hand... a few kibbles at a time.



jingebri


Terrier Terror
Terrier Terror
07/06/2007 8:48 AM  

Yes, thank you.

I have started to hand feed him for a few days now, and I will continue for a couple weeks. We will see how this goes

-Jen-
mama to Izzy
Ladysmom


Ratterific
Ratterific
07/06/2007 10:59 AM  

Hang in there!  We had similar issues with Lady when we first got her (check out my post under the "selective aggression" thread.  It can be a tough go, but it is completely possible to get such behavior under control.  Just be patient and consistent.  It will be worth the effort.

Good luck and let us know how it's going!  We're all sending good thoughts your way --

LM
More cowbell!
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Forums > Ratty Related Discussion > Training > Biting Issue


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