Nessie day 2 food aggression
Let’s talk food aggression / possession:
Nessie has major food anxiety meaning, she smells or even hears dog food hitting a bowl and she wants it NOW, she starts panting and will plow through you to get it. Which can lead to possession issues and aggression. She has zero idea what waiting means and inhales her food so quickly. If you messed with her she would growl and sometimes snap.
I big miscommunication owners have is when they see this behavior they claim the bowl or put their hands in it and discipline the dog for acting out, which in time will make the dog eat faster and possess it more as they’re always on edge thinking they need too as their human will annoy them or take it away. Do NOT stick your hands in a dogs bowl that has these issues!! You will make it worse
Instead my method is to make feeding a positive association. I train the dog to eat a bit then allow me to remove them for a brief period and reward them with more food when they stop fixating on it. If I see they’re happy and relaxed I will pet the dog but not annoy them by messing in their dish.
This was nessies second time with this exercise the first time I had to use my entire body and her leash to pry her off the dish and she was so protective over it. And she wasn’t ready to be touched I could tell her body was super tense and she would throw in a low growl if I pushed it. Every dog has a different limit and understanding their level will allow you to communicate with them.
The next step is to teach her a place and stay command so I can have her move there anytime I need her too. Now I am working to build trust through communication and making the feeding a positive situation not a negative tense one.
This entire process was a good 30 mins today just to work her to this point. So it does take time but every day she will get better and better until feeding isn’t a big deal!
Nessie after training session #2
Nessie is back for some training, she has issues with resource guarding after she steals objects, growling and nipping around food, and being a general teenage turd. She will be learning some major obedience and also cues to leave objects she deems valuable. We had our first training session today after a good bit of exercise which is always the best time to train! Follow along for her progress updates
No one ever gets to see Tess actually work her day job! She is very really helpful for me on the farm, she watches the gates when I go in with the animals, helps push the goats if we need too, and maintains order while I’m milking as well! Sometimes she thinks dogs are livestock and doesn’t like dogs outside the fence due to her OCD herding brain, but she is a very good worker here and does this twice a day with me. Another importance of having a job for a herding breed
Tikaani’s stalking game is on! Oblivious to the wolfhound, once a fierce hunter, maybe it’s Hucklerbury’s adolescence that makes him this way 😆
Just some happy pups enjoying a Tuesday!!
Just a glimpse of what it’s like when your dog stays here!
Sabrina’s back for her farm vacation!! It’s always so cute to me how much the non traditional farm dogs absolutely love it out here!!
I wasn’t about about the surprise rain showers overnight but Beau sure was! He’s also getting an extended stay to enjoy thanksgiving with us!
I wasn’t happy about about the surprise rain showers overnight but Beau sure was! He’s also getting an extended stay to enjoy thanksgiving with us!
Just some happy dogs doing dog things
Good morning from the mountain & the happy pups!
It’s way too nice to go inside for nap time! I’m a really firm believer in supervised outside time for dogs, most daycares are inside a room with no stimulation. Dogs need enrichment and space to do their thing
It’s way too nice to go inside for nap time! I’m a really firm believer in lots of outside time for dogs, most daycares are inside a room with no stimulation. Dogs need enrichment and space to do their thing to be fulfilled mentally and physically #happydogs
