Food Aggression (sorry this is long)

[SpruceBruce]

I'm not sure what to make of this and was hoping someone else has run into this problem and will have some advice :(

We introduced our new girl into the family about 10 months ago (we have a 4 year old male) and they have been getting along well so far, he will grab her by the scruff and pull her around if she gets out of line but otherwise they play really well together.
We feed our oldest first and she sits and waits in the other room while he eats and then when it's her turn he does the same.

Lately after waiting her turn she starts eating but will go and search him out in the house and growl at him to start a fight (and fight they have!) I've never seen this type of aggression out of either of them till now but they get into such a fight that I can't step in between them to get them apart - they've even drawn blood.

I don't know why this has started as they drink water out of the same bowl at the same time and will take treats when sitting side by side. She's fine with people - I can touch her and pick food out of her bowl while she's eating with no trouble. They steal each others toys but they easily give up the toy and find another.

I am terrified that they'll really hurt each other. I can put one in their crate while the other eats but I'm concerned why this is happening and if it will start to happen with other things besides food. Once she's done eating everything goes back to normal.

Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[ehayes21]

Why do you feed them at seperate times? Seems silly that you would want to make her wait. Just feed them in their own space at the same time.

 

[LILYLARUE]

I would be feeding them at the same time too.

I am no expert by any means, but doesn't the alpha always eat first then allow the pack to join in once he gets his hunger fulfilled? If this is true, then could your girl be aggressive cause she isn't allowed into the "pack" to eat? To feed her last, states she is low man in the pack. Maybe she doesn't feel that way any other time and when feeding, she is banned from the pack? Maybe she feels she is getting the "scraps" since everyone else got to eat what they wanted. Maybe she's developing a more alpha role? I'm just grasping here....

Have no idea, but I know I'd feel pretty left out if I didn't get the pick of the food or get to eat with everyone else. Maybe seperating them while they eat is a better idea. I feed all three of mine together within 4 feet of each other and they don't fight for food or scraps or steal from each other. It took some time and playing middle man, but they get what the pack leader gives them......and that be me and what I think they should get. But no one has to sit out and wait.

I'm anxious to see what other's chime in with.

 

[Jan]

I have to question why you are feeding the male first as well. Don't be mistaken in thinking that your are enforcing the males dominance, but feeding him first. It doesn't work that way. It will just cause more problems, which is what you are experiencing. I would feed them together at the same time. Don't allow them to go to each others bowls. Remember you are the pack leader. In general, it is the neutered male who is the lowest dog on the totem pole and the neutered female who is next. It doesn't always work that way, but you should interfere. Let them work it out.

Good luck!

 

[EAO76]

I agree with the others. I think you are inadvertently causing problems by making her wait. And I really don’t agree with the idea of trying to support the “alpha”. There is so much going on between the dogs that humans just don’t “get” so your idea of who is alpha may be totally wrong.

Since I have three dogs plus various fosters I feed them in their crates. They are all a few feet from each other but no one can get to each other. It’s the safest way to ensure there are no problems but yet I can feed the dogs in close proximity & not have to stand watch.