food aggression/dog fight

[gr8danlvr1]

My 2 danes had a fight tonight. Isis, 5yrs, has always had a slightly weird obsession about food. She was pretty malnourished when she went into rescue. In her foster home she bit a chihuahua over the food dish, the foster mom free fed. I think you all know that had she intended to really hurt that chi it would have been dead. But of course we have always been diligent about not free feeding and keeping them to their own dishes. We have had Isis for 3 years now w/o any incident. Anyway, I fed them, all in their separate dishes, as usual and went to the living room for a second. The next thing I hear is the most god awful racket, can you imagine the sound of 2 giant breed dogs fighting? Seriously scary. I screamed, which did nothing of course, then I grabbed a rug that was hanging over a banister and hit Isis w/ it. She immediately stopped, didn't go after Venus again and had no problem w/ me leading her away to her crate. Isis has no injuries at all. Venus has 3 minor flesh wounds and a scratch. After I put Isis away and checked Venus over I just had a slight meltdown. I called my bf and cried. All this after I cut the eyelid of an 8 week old puppy today (and yes I cried over that too). I realize it could have been far worse. I also realize some people have dogs that scuffle a lot in their home, but we never have. My dogs coexist peacefully. Even w/ Isis' food aggression, we have never had any issues. I have left the room before after feeding them, so not sure why today is different. She has always been crated, but in the same room w/ the other dogs when we are not around. I'm not sure right now if I want to try feeding her w/ the other dogs like always, but not leave the room, or if I want to feed her in her crate from now on. Her food aggression is not toward humans, I can stick my hand in her dish and take food out of it no problem. I think what happened is she was getting to close to Venus eating, Venus growled and Isis just reacted. I should have been there to keep Isis away from Venus food dish so that she didn't have to growl at her. That scenario has happened before, but those times I was there to direct Isis to go away. I don't really know if I am even asking for advice, I pretty much know the direction to take here. I just got lazy, I should have never left the room. I know she is food obsessed and that is something that hasn't ever changed, most likely never will. After 3 years I got complacent and I should know better. I just needed to vent. It has been an awful day and I need to try to get to sleep as I have to get up @ 5:30 in the morning.

[strayhairs]

Don't feel so bad, you had three years without a problem. It is easy to get comfortable and feel like it is just another day. Lately I feel like a lot of dogs are a little on the edge, I'm blaming it on spring fever. I think I would feed Iris in her crate. It would make mealtime more relaxed for everyone.

[RudyRoo]

I had a fight yesterday too! I have to feed mine is different areas of the house to keep the peace. I am baby sittnig my sons dog and he gets fed in a locked bedroom. Everything has been going good so far. The fight wasn't about food, my 25 lb little terrier took on his 50 lb cousin over the cardboard center of a toliet paper roll. There are toys all over the house and they have been sharing, but little one just decided he wasn't giving up his tp toy! Was really scarey, but nobody got hurt. Dogs will be dogs, don't blame yourself.

[SwissNChow]

Life will be a lot easier if you simply feed her in her crate. In truth, she will probably be more comfortable as well, as she will not feel she has to defend her food.

IMO, most multiple dog families should either feed dogs in crates or in separate rooms. It's just asking for trouble when you don't.

[pooh13]

I have food issues with all four of my dogs I do free feed and they all share the same feeder trough the day and at times we hear the grumbles and snarls back and forth as they take turns eating.In our home its not just food aggression , its pecking order of a pack. Runt being the oldest and the longest in the home has top dog ranking(under myself and hubby of course) she is 14 yrs old aussie/husky we make sure she keeps her title.however she has her moments we have to step in and remind her she has to share or let the others cross her path(shes getting crotchety in her old age).I allow this pecking order ,But I do regulate behavior and feeding to ensure all are getting their share.

[4Sibes]

Awwww, sorry about that. That must have been majorly scary! I'm envisioning something like in the Disney movies of old...where the Mountain Lion and the Grizzly Bear got into those spectacular rumbles.

As an owner of multiple dogs...I've always thought there were 2 kinds of fights...those I could prevent, and those I couldn't.
I think for the most part...fights stemming from food issues...are preventable. I do just as Swiss-n said, my dogs have always been fed separately, and in their respective crates. Same applies for treats or chewies or anything of that nature. Makes for a much more peaceful dinner hour.

Could be that complacency just serves as a reminder of why we do things the way we do them...before irreparable harm happens. I'm glad no one was hurt.

[HoundLover]

another reason to feed in separate crates are this way you can also monitor if all dogs are eating their food, if someone isnt feeling up to par by not finishing food etc. i have cats...and they all eat in the kitchen but i need to stand there and supervise otherwise someone tries to bully someone else out of their food. when one is done i send them out of the kitchen. but if i had room i would be feeding them in crates so i know who is eating what and so forth.
makes it much easier to monitor for potential health issues as well.
JMO
Hound

[Debbiedogs]

Sorry - glad it wasn't really bad

Yeah, scary but fortunately not too bad. Still, I know it gets to you, especially because you KNOW it can happen but things go so smoothly for so long... and then, WHAM! Then you think, "why didn't I just stay there?????" Ack, what we do for dogs.

I dunno, I swear some dogs just like to push it because they know they can. Someone on here told me I was completely wrong, that dogs don't bully and do bad things like humans (tee hee), but my observation tells me otherwise. If they are dominant and pushy, they like to express that, for whatever reason. They think it's kind of fun, I suspect, and they keep wanting to show the other dog(s) - mainly the ones that they KNOW they can boss - just how terrifically tough and strong they are.

It's kind of funny with my Bichon as long as she's not with a smaller, timid dog, but it's way scary with a Dane. However, it's just what they like to do if they are dog-dominant and/or resource guarders, I guess. Can't ever trust them. My Bichon will scare my male Terrier away from his food if I am not right there - even if she has eaten all she wants!! Like your dog, she is totally safe with people and food, just not other dogs.

[ferretlov]

i KNOW ITS SCARY if you arent used to it.
Ive had dogs fight over some pretty dumb things .once i had to break up a 4 dog fight over .....get this a peice of mulch.I was so mad I got my hand bitten for a small stick out of the mulch.
It was at a daycare I worked in and I reacted before thinking about it and wham! I stuck my hand s in and started grabing dogs out of it .dumb me.at least you werent bitten.
It was a shepard and laberiner,a corgi and a bermese mountain dog - not as big as your s but still some pretty big guys.I have a feeling the corgi facilitated the whole thing though.
Im glad your alright.

[pudel]

I can relate. I had issues when Shelby started growing up and was fighter for alpha bitch role with Mitzi. Mitzi still doesn't want to completely give it up and she's almost 13 yrs. old! I remember just sitting there and shaking and crying after a fight because there was no way i was going to get rid of any of my dogs. To this day Shelby will protect her food. The other dogs have learned the hard way to not put their noses into her dish. I've even seen her stand over her dish and not eat it. like she is daring someone to try and take it. She doesn't have a problem with me, just other dogs. Well, I lost my poodle, then my son moved, and took his dog. So now i just have these two bitches. As long as I feed them on opposite ends of the kitchen they are fine. If Shelby starts to "guard" her food and not eat it, I take it up. And later I will let mitzi outside and let Shelby eat by herself. But as far as the alpha dog problem, it still goes on, just not as bad as at first. I think Mitzi is slowing down in her golden years and she may know she can't really beat her sister.

[Helly]

Life will be a lot easier if you simply feed her in her crate. In truth, she will probably be more comfortable as well, as she will not feel she has to defend her food.

IMO, most multiple dog families should either feed dogs in crates or in separate rooms. It's just asking for trouble when you don't.

I agree completely. Especially when you have one or more large, powerful dogs. An ounce of prevention, and all that.

[Helly]

I dunno, I swear some dogs just like to push it because they know they can. Someone on here told me I was completely wrong, that dogs don't bully and do bad things like humans (tee hee), but my observation tells me otherwise. If they are dominant and pushy, they like to express that, for whatever reason. .

No, dogs don't bully other dogs. They express dominance, they jockey for position, and we often don't see the challenges they do. But whether we observe them or not, the dog being "bullied" is sending out signals that lead to a confrontation.

But bullying is not something they do. That requires mental processes they don't possess. Bullying is done to intentionally harm, manipulate, and humiliate. Bullies take extreme pleasure in making someone suffer. Dog dominate and express their superiority to maintain their position. They don't do it just to make another dog suffer.

[pooh13]

No, dogs don't bully other dogs. They express dominance, they jockey for position, and we often don't see the challenges they do. But whether we observe them or not, the dog being "bullied" is sending out signals that lead to a confrontation.

But bullying is not something they do. That requires mental processes they don't possess. Bullying is done to intentionally harm, manipulate, and humiliate. Bullies take extreme pleasure in making someone suffer. Dog dominate and express their superiority to maintain their position. They don't do it just to make another dog suffer.

I have to completely disagree with this statement about dogs not having capability to think this way.If you were to watch my dogs you would know what I mean by this . an example of how a dog could go about being a bully.

Runt:husky/aussie vs Lexi, shep/chow, Rex lab/sharpei , Mojo st po.

she will do this to all the dogs in my house example #1 lexi , Lexi is a very needy dog when it comes to having us around her to the point of neurotic if she cannot be next to us when she desires,which is most of the time.Lexi is so spoiled she sleeps at the head of our bed behind our pillows she has to be with us period. Runt will play block the way to mom and dad just by laying in the hallway or walkway she does not have to do a thing but look at the other dogs none of my other dogs will cross her path or try to go around her, they know she will go after them for even thinking it. Lexi will literally cry non stop until we personally have to tell Runt to let her pass .Runt will give us the look of geeesh I'm comfortable and huff out of the way while giving the other dogs a dirty look grumbling like a scolded child once the dogs pass her she will go right back to the very same spot and start the process all over again just in case the other dogs want to get a drink or go for food.to watch her you know she is taunting them.. She is a true bully... by the way the cats can walk right around her she doesn't care if they pass but a dog? also during the other dogs playtime if Runt doesn't approve of it , she will bark and all play is done. when Runt speaks they listen

[pudel]

I have to completely disagree with this statement about dogs not having capability to think this way.If you were to watch my dogs you would know what I mean by this . an example of how a dog could go about being a bully.

Runt:husky/aussie vs Lexi, shep/chow, Rex lab/sharpei , Mojo st po.

she will do this to all the dogs in my house example #1 lexi , Lexi is a very needy dog when it comes to having us around her to the point of neurotic if she cannot be next to us when she desires,which is most of the time.Lexi is so spoiled she sleeps at the head of our bed behind our pillows she has to be with us period. Runt will play block the way to mom and dad just by laying in the hallway or walkway she does not have to do a thing but look at the other dogs none of my other dogs will cross her path or try to go around her, they know she will go after them for even thinking it. Lexi will literally cry non stop until we personally have to tell Runt to let her pass .Runt will give us the look of geeesh I'm comfortable and huff out of the way while giving the other dogs a dirty look grumbling like a scolded child once the dogs pass her she will go right back to the very same spot and start the process all over again just in case the other dogs want to get a drink or go for food.to watch her you know she is taunting them.. She is a true bully... by the way the cats can walk right around her she doesn't care if they pass but a dog? also during the other dogs playtime if Runt doesn't approve of it , she will bark and all play is done. when Runt speaks they listen

You have a pecking order in your home. And perhaps you may just not be aware of who is top dog

[bednbones]

Crazy

I have 6 dogs and they will fight over different things. The Great Pyr has been known to pick up my male jack and shake him like a rag doll. We NEVER leave them alone. I couldn't figure it out ... what the heck was going on and finally saw it. My little sweet jack is constantly giving the FINGER to the GP. He can only take so much ... then bam.

My CO will decide that a spot is hers and will bite if someone comes near it. Bit the GP's tale once and blood was going to ensue. Got him by the tail at the very last second and she rolled over as he was coming.

I will resort to anything to stop the rah rah -- throwing chairs - loud noise - or if 2 people we grab by the back legs and pull. Ours is usually lots of noise and no real blood but we are quick and separate diligently with food. Everyone eats in their crate -- except the slipper dog.

It does get the heart racing. But I always say we know what we are suppose to do and just have to not let our guard down. Dogs will be dogs. \\\


Glad yours weren't really hurt.