how do I stop my dogs fighting when I feed them?

Question by QueenCupcake Reward: 100 Pond Points + 10 Knowledge Tokens Status: Answer selected by AnswerPond
we have a new dog in our home - both dogs were strays and the older is very jealous and nervous. It seems no matter what ways I try to feed them, if they know food is around a fight breaks out. It's not a serious fight but I'm sick of it and it's not good for them either.



Reply from swiese242 Accepted answer! User Rating:  100 Knowledge Tokens
Be the dominate one in the house. Crack a newspaper in the hands to break the tension and take control. Better to start with two people at first, one for each dog. Have both of them sit with a leash when you present the food. Maybe start with treats to make them sit together....
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Reply from toddsteppenwolf User Rating:  2140 Knowledge Tokens
maybe try to seperate them in seperate rooms and feed them in rooms with doors shut
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Reply from centrist User Rating:  100 Knowledge Tokens
Often 2 dogs that have dominate personalities fight for top dog position. It is hard when they are both determined to be top. I am a Vet Tech so I have seen this many times. Be firm and patient.Food is the main thing they fight over? Make sure the first dog in the house gets fed first. Put the one out and feed the first, then revese. That often helps. Work with this arrangment until it fits your dogs. Its important to support the "original" dog. That means make sure that you take his side so he feels less need to reestablish his 1st placement in the houshold. If they are not altered (fixed) that is the first thing you need to do. That will help reduce the tension. If they will not "give up" then you really need to think about rehoming one of them. You can't have them continually beating each other up. Good luck!
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Reply from leakywelly User Rating:  1690 Knowledge Tokens
dogs are a pack animal ie they need a topdog as leader
so be the top dog,correct them when wrong but as important praise them for good behaviour.
be in front when walking make them walk to heel,send them away and then call them back and praise em.
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