How to Handle a Dog That's Aggressive Over Food

Does your dog growl or snap at you or the other dogs at meal time? A dog that becomes aggressive over food can be a sign of a bigger problem. Dogs are social animals that interact with people and other animals based on a pack hierarchy. Generally, a dog will only show aggression towards an animal or person who’s perceived to be lower in the pack order than he is. When a dog becomes aggressive over food, it means that he feels entitled to it because of his higher place in the hierarchy. If that aggression is directed towards a human, it can be a particularly serious problem. How is a dog that’s aggressive with food best handled?

If a dog’s aggression over food is directed towards another dog in the family, the problem can be simpler to solve. The best solution is to separate the two dogs at meal time, preferably in separate rooms so they’re unable to see one another. It’s important to understand where each dog lies in the pack hierarchy so this can be reinforced at feeding time. If the dogs are fed together, the dominant dog should be given his bowl of food before the other dogs. In the wild, the dominant dog or wolf is expected to eat first, while the submissive dog waits for his turn. Reinforcing the pack order helps both dogs feel more comfortable and they’ll be less likely to become aggressive over food.

If a dog becomes aggressive over food with a human, the dog considers himself to be higher in the pack hierarchy and feels justified in demanding the food. A dog that’s aggressive with food may growl or snarl, but in some cases, could bite or attack. This is more likely to happen with a smaller, less threatening human such as a child. It’s obvious that this behavior needs to be stopped both for the safety of family members and to maintain peace in the household.

The only way to eliminate aggressive behavior with food is to clearly establish that the humans in the household are higher in the pack hierarchy. When feeding a dog with food aggression, show him that the food will be taken away at the first sign of bad behavior. Encourage him to sit and make him wait for a minute or two before setting his food bowl down to show him you control the food supply. If he growls or shows signs of aggression, quickly remove the food bowl. Once your dog sees that the food will be taken away when he shows aggression, the aggressive behavior should gradually stop. It’s important not to punish your dog as this can make the problem worse. Consistently show your dog that you control the food and treats. This should be reinforced by every member of the family.

Because a dog that’s aggressive over food can be a threat, particularly to small children, it may be best, especially with larger dogs, to seek the help of a dog trainer or dog behavior specialist. It’s important to take any sign of food aggression seriously, even an occasional growl. If the problem isn’t addressed quickly, the dog could rapidly become more aggressive. Keep in mind that problems with aggression can be caused by underlying medical problems, so have your dog checked out by a veterinarian if he suddenly becomes aggressive over food.

by, Dr. Kristie

Yes You Can Find Your Missing Cat

How you go about finding your missing cat depends enormously on your cat's personality. Your approach will be different depending on whether your cat is an experienced outdoorsman or a timid indoor kitty.

If your cat has regularly roamed your yard or neighborhood and suddenly fails to return within the usual time span, it is time be proactive. Begin by letting the neighbors know your cat is missing by handing out flyers complete with a good photo of the cat, and your own contact information.

Local shelters should be contacted and most vets will permit a notice to be posted on their bulletin boards, although the size of the notice may be restricted. You will want to let your town or city's animal control office know as well. In this way, if the worst has happened, you will at least have a better chance of finding out.

If your cat normally responds when you call him, then by all means do so. If your neighborhood is safe, calling your cat quietly in the wee hours of the morning may be most effective because his vocal response can be more audible when not masked by traffic and pedestrian noises, lawnmowers and the other distractions of daytime life.
A newspaper article can also be helpful, but beware scam artists who exploit such ads for their own gain.

Finding an escaped indoor cat is entirely a different matter. If your cat is skittish and timid by nature, she may be especially distrustful once she is outdoors in unfamiliar territory. If she did not come when you called inside, she will certainly not do so outside.

Neighbors may be able to help by giving you permission to look under their bushes or porches and into their garages, but, chances are, your cat will be using her most developed skill, which is to make herself invisible.

Experts tell us that timid cats rarely venture more than a few hundred yards from home, but within those few hundred yards, they are adept at concealing themselves well. Unfortunately, the instinct to hide is so strong that sum may remain concealed long after starvation or exposure begins to weaken them.

The single most effective way to recover a timid cat is to use humane traps.
These are long rectangular cages with a spring-operated door at one or both ends. Food is placed inside the trap, and when the animal enters to eat it, she trips a wire that closes the doors behind her. Humane traps are available on loan from most humane societies and animal shelters. It is best to borrow at least two if possible.
Next, you must find a way to lure your cat to the trap. To do this, you must disguise it. Wrapping the outside with a towel will make the trap seem less foreboding and more like a safe haven. Make sure the towel is placed in a way that does not interfere with the trap mechanism. Next, line the floor of the trap with cardboard, again avoiding the trip wire. By Allo3.

Find reliable minders for your cat at petsittersNeeded.com

What do pet sitters do

Pet sitters can perform a variety of tasks for the pet/home owner. Here is an interesting article from the Sacramento Dogs Examiner - about going through the process.

"Prior to the interview, it’s important for you to take a few moments to sit down and make sure that you’ve decided what duties you expect the pet sitter to perform while you’re away."

Dog sitters do more than just put food in a bowl

Buffalo New York Pet Sitter Walk'n'Waggles keeps on growing

have been a Gold Member of petsitters.biz going on my third year.

I can not express my sincere thanks for this professional site which introduces many pet owners with experienced caring pet providers in their area.

In our busy world this site makes it much easier for customers to locate a professional pet sitter/dog walker that they care count on and trust and that is exactly what my business Walk n Waggles has the reputation of caring,trust and be there to give their pets the care that is promise to each and every one of my customers.

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Vanessa- Walk'n'Waggles



View profile of Walk n Waggles Petsitters Buffalo New York New York

Put your love for pets into action - house and pet sit a chihuahua in Mexico

Did you know Mexico is the home of the Chihuahua? Not only that there are oodles of opportunitie for housesitting in Mexico.

Check out the article below for more background on opportunites for house and pet sitters in Mexico.

House Sitting opportunities in Mexico

This is a real chance for retirees to experience another culture first hand.

Expand your horizons and launch out - it is never too late to experience adventure.

How to Tell If Your Dog is Sick

Protecting your dog’s health and well being is important. Unfortunately, your dog can’t tell you when he feels bad and it can sometimes be difficult to tell when your faithful canine is “under the weather”. It’s particularly important, as a good dog owner, to be aware of signs that your dog is experiencing a health problem. The key to detecting a problem early is to be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of disease as well as what’s normal for your particular canine. Here are some signs and symptoms that indicate your dog is sick.

Look for changes in behavior.

By spending time with your dog on a daily basis, you’ll be more aware of what’s normal and what’s not normal for your dog. For some dogs, particularly older ones, it’s typical for them to sleep during the day. For other dogs who are younger and more energetic, daytime sleeping may be a sign of illness. The same goes for eating behavior. Some dogs are naturally finicky and need to be coaxed to eat their food, while others will eat anything you offer them. A change in eating patterns such as a voracious eater not finishing a meal should raise a red flag and prompt a visit to the vet. Even an unusually enthusiastic appetite can be a sign of diabetes or other metabolic problems. The key lies in knowing your dog’s habits.

Change in weight.

This is another important that may suggest that your dog is sick. If possible, check a monthly weight on your dog and record it in a book so you can see if there are any major changes over time. Any significant downward change in body weight should be brought to the attention of your vet.

Bowel and bladder changes

If your dog has accidents in the house, don’t assume it’s a behavior problem. Bowel and bladder changes can be subtle signs that your dog is sick. An increase in urination or urinating in the house can be one of the first signs of diabetes, particularly if your dog is drinking more than usual. Loose stools can be a sign of pancreatitis or infestation with parasites. Also check for the presence of mucous or blood in the stools which can be signs of intestinal disease. If possible, get a sample of the loose stool and take it with you when you take your dog to the vet.

Excessive panting or coughing

Panting that occurs in the absence of vigorous exercise or in cool temperatures can be a sign that your dog is sick. In an older dog, this can be an indication of congestive heart failure as well as lung disease or anemia. Check your dog’s gums for a blue discoloration which could signify heart disease. The presence of pale gums may be a sign of anemia or impending shock. Coughing can be a sign of congestive failure, lung disease, or the presence of a foreign body in the throat. If your dog is manifesting any of these signs, see your veterinarian immediately.

By Dr Christie. Reprinted with permission.

Dog Tricks

Teaching your dog to perform tricks can be great fun, but it does require plenty of time and patience. It is, however, important to remember not to spend more than around five minutes a day practicing a particular trick with your dog; otherwise it may become bored of the whole process and refuse to co-operate any further. You should also aim to end each training session on a good note, so that your dog always associates the experience with pleasure and not unhappiness. Providing you use a variety of tasty and healthy treats, along with plenty of praise, your dog should be able to learn new tricks very easily. Here are a few for you to try out on your dog:

Fetch
This is something that many dogs begin to do automatically, and doesn’t generally take any real training. Some dogs, however, may not do it so readily and may need a little assistance. Try making a small slit in a ball and then place some tasty treats inside. Let your dog sniff the ball before you throw it and then run with your dog to get the ball for the first three or four times. Each time your dog picks up the ball, encourage him/her to come to you and then release the treats. It won’t take long for your dog to chase willingly after any object you throw for it, even when there are no treats inside.

Beg
Get your dog to sit facing you. Hold your dog’s favourite treat up so that it can be seen and then say: “Say please.” Your dog’s automatic reaction will probably be to lift both its front feet off the ground to get to the treat. As soon as he/she makes any attempt to perform this action, you should praise him/her and reward immediately with a treat. This trick is all about good balance and may take your dog a little time to master. Do take great care, however, not to let your dog fall over onto its back when performing this trick.

Shake hands
Get your dog to sit facing you. Then gently lift up one of your dog’s paws and hold it for a few seconds and say: “Shake hands.” Let go of the paw and repeat the action. Each time you put the paw down, you should praise your dog and reward with a treat.

Roll over
Get your dog to lie down on its belly and then kneel down by its side. Whilst holding a treat in front of his/her nose, move the treat around so that your dog lies on its side and then rolls over. Once your dog makes any attempt to move over, praise him/her and reward with a treat. As hard surfaces may be uncomfortable for your dog, it is best to perform this trick on a carpet or outside on the grass.


Crawl
Get your dog to lie down facing you. Hold a treat right in front of his/her nose and say: “Crawl.” Gradually pull the treat away from your dog whilst keeping the treat close to the ground. Keep repeating the command until your dog begins to move across the floor. As soon as your dog makes any effort to crawl, you should praise him/her immediately and reward with a treat. You may find that your dog will try to stand up at some point during this exercise. If this happens say: “No” and gently coax him/her to lie down again.

Turn around
Make sure that your dog is standing facing you. Then place a treat in your hand and show it to your dog. Lead your dog’s nose round clockwise with the treat until he/she has gone round in a complete circle. As you are performing this say: “Turn around” and then praise your dog and reward with a treat.

Play dead
Get your dog to lie down on its tummy and then roll him/her gently over onto their side and say: “Sleep.” Encourage your dog to stay there for a short time and then say: “Wake up.” Once your dog stands up, you should praise him/her and reward with a treat.

After teaching each trick for a period of time, you should find that your dog begins to respond quickly to your commands without you having to guide him/her into the correct position. You can teach both young and old dogs to perform tricks, but obviously your dog will learn quicker if trained from an early age. It is also important to remember to stick to the same commands whilst training, to avoid confusion, and only introduce one new trick at a time.

Copyright © 2008, Ian White Petsitter Needed