Food Agressive?

[Aonir]

Last night while I was feeding Amaya, my ferrets went to 'help' her eat. This isn't unusal, it happens a lot. But this time Amaya bit at them! I immediately told her "No!" and shoke my finger(my source of punishment, THE FINGER!). Then I took the ferrets away. Then an empty package of turkey fell on the floor, and she layed next to it. Again, the ferrets went to investigate. Again, she snapped. Kitten went to investigate and she growled. Again I scolded her and threw it away. On our walk yesterday, she seen a toddler, and she growled and barked at him. She hasn't really seen kids with us, so I think that may be it. But I don't know why she did it even though the kid wasn't even close. I warned the mother off saying she doesn't like kids to keep the little thing away.

I had given her a new toy yesterday because I plan on throwing one old one away.

Now today, she was barking and I'm trying to train her not to bark. So I said "No Bark!" then she lifted her lips at me! I told her "No" again and didn't give her a treat for not barking because she did that. Also, the cats are allowed to lick plates clean, but she isnt. Never was allowed. But today she tried to steal the plate(On the table!) away. She never did that before!! I try really hard to not let her have human food, but I just don't get it. She

[courtnek]

How old is she? she has apparently decided that she doesnt need to do what she's told.....teenager?

DO NOT let her lift her lips to you, for ANY reason. That needs to be handled sternly!!!

[Aonir]

She's still a pup. Just came out of her heat-cycle recently. I'm sure she's not pregnant, she never made an escape and was watched continueously. She's 10 months old. It's just the first time I've seen her act like this and I want to fix it before it gets worse.

[courtnek]

do you plan to breed her? If not I would get her fixed. Hormonal imbalance causes all kinda weird things to happen, from depression to false pregnancy. I would watch her for symptoms of false pregnancy. Shredding newspapers, digging, hoarding things...the fact htat she is now protecting her food makes me think that even though the heat is over, she is either handling the non-pregnancy badly, or is having a false pregnancy....it may work itseld out with some training and discipline, but watch for the signs...

[Aonir]

I'm definately going to get her spayed, I don't plan on breeding because she isn't breed quality. I'll definately have to get that planned when i can afford it.

[TDG]

while you definitely have to deal with her attempts of asserting dominance over you, you may be sending the wrong signals and making things worse. she is resource guarding and you essentially signalled that everyone else (cat, ferrets) is higher ranking in the pack than her, and allowed to challenge her for her goodies - and if she defends, they are taken away, so either way she loses out.

i strongly recommend the book "the other end of the leash" by patricia mcconnell. it addresses a lot of issues like that, along with misunderstandings in communication between dogs and humans.

[courtnek]

the reason I suggested false pregnancy...I have a friend who's dog DID get pregnant and they didnt know it..major OOOPPSSS,,,

the dog started stealing food off the tables and counters....never did that before...they were not feeding her enough to sustain the pregnancy, since they didnt know, and she was devising her own ways to get enough food for the pups...

just a thought

[kendalyn]

Food aggression is a huge problem, but I think making her allow the ferrets to share her food while she's eating is a lot to ask. I would stop allowing the ferrets to eat out of her bowl. It seems like an accident waiting to happen.

[anni's.mom]

a ferret is a small animal, the type of vermin (prey) dogs are prone to chase, kill and eat. if you don't want your dog to snap when a prey animal approaches your dog's food, then feed her at a time and place where the ferret can't get in. if you don't, then don't be surprised when one day your dog kills the ferrets.

your dog is calling the shots because she can. be consistent. you can't expect a dog to understand why it's okay for the cat to do something and not for her to do it.

[Aonir]

My dog was raised from a pup around ferrets, she has NEVER snapped at anyone before. That's why it comes to such a shock. Plus, Amaya is free-fed, so there is food always available. The ferrets have their own bowl of ferret food in their cage, they aren't normally out for more than 4 hours(unless we fall asleep first, I tend to catch them in the middle of the night).

Amaya hasn't acted any weirder later today. I'm just going to watch her. I haven't let the ferrets out yet, she normally plays with them though. Next time I feed her, I'm going to put my hand around her bowl and watch her facial reaction. She stopped and stared at the ferret for a few seconds before nipping, so I'm going to check if she's hungry, has dominance problems, or what. She stays out of the kitchen while I put food down though. It's as if she's waiting for me to finish, lol. I think she knows I'm head of the pack. She sleeps next to me and everything. I play with her and take her for long walks... And do the most hated grooming(which she growls at).

She absolutely hates grooming and it makes it hard to keep tangles out, so I pull her hair alot. I'm thinking of buying a muzzle to groom her with so she can get used to daily grooming. It's only her hindquarters she has trouble with. She loves getting her back, face, and tummy brushed. But her backquarters is the fluffiest!

[Horsefeathers!]

I have to shout out from the amen corner and strongly suggest not making the dog share food with the ferrets. It really does seem like a baaaaaaad idea. Ferrets can be pretty fragile and it wouldn't take but one time for Amaya to be faster than you on the draw and do something irreparable. My own gang is very familiar with my ferret as she's older than any of them, but I still wouldn't trust any of them.

The thing with the cats licking plates clean, but not her also seems like a bad idea. Kind of like a double standard. I don't care what anyone says about anthromopofartisizm, dogs do remember that crap and hold grudges. Really, it's kind of like making them compete. The one thing you really don't need to have to deal with is creating competition between dogs and cats. End that deal quickly!

Also, I know I'm the neverending alarmist, but I do become more than a little concerned about any radical behavior changes. Perhaps she is hormonal? It's possible. Some gals do literally live up to the name "bitch." However, any number of physical problems can cause such radical changes in behavior such as diminishing eyesight, pain, onset of seizure disorders, brain disorders and even thyroid disorders. I know, I know, it's likely none of these problems, but it's just food for thought. I'm only paranoid because any time I think something is nothing with one of mine, it turns out to be a really HUGE something. One of mine had bad breath and it ended up being something that required drastic abdominal surgery. Anyway, I'm really not trying to alarm you (too late? :oops: ). It's more than likely that it's nothing physical. Still, it's food for thought and something to consider if it continues despite working with her.

[courtnek]

I agree with all of you, under normal circumstances...this dog had her first heat...and reacted badly..heat changes the scenario... Let her come "down" from her heat..and see what happens..

[Aonir]

Ok, so I'll start putting Amaya's food dish up when the ferrets are out and about.. And no plate-cleaning. I guess I started dominance problems, huh? Wonder why it started now?