Spaniel problem

[White Horse2]

Got relationship breakdown springer last Oct, 6 mo, short term, obviously not, male, now neutered, fab chap, resource guards, this is degree level dog, struggling to know what next, aggressive excited , after meals to other dog, all settle down eventually, other dog fed first, as soon as springer finishes, he's on some sort of mission, other dog holding her own, but she's getting old, managing as much as we can without heightening situation,
Dog came from family member

 

[CorvusCorax]

Resource guarding is quite common in spaniels. It's the same drive that makes them good at what they do out in the field. Whilst your post is quite hard to understand, feed them in separate rooms and deploy stair gates/door gates and crates etc so that they have their own space. I have three dogs in a small house who do not run together for various reasons, it is quite easy to keep everyone apart as long as you keep your wits about you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If I have understood your post correctly, ( it really isn't easy to read) feed them in separate rooms. Be the one in charge, it isn't fair to expect your other dog to 'hold her own' and ultimately is likely to lead to a serious fight.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

As everyone else says. Feed seperately, in their own rooms or crate to feed. We have four dogs in the house they all get fed in different rooms and do not go near the other while eating.

You might benefit from a behaviourist.

Are they resource agressive to people?

 

[White Horse2]

Found that supporting her without her input did not work, this only happens after feeding, springer started to guard previous owner, toys, etc, maybe crate to feed would be an answer

 

[CorvusCorax]

Found that supporting her without her input did not work, this only happens after feeding, springer started to guard previous owner, toys, etc, maybe crate to feed would be an answer

Sorry, I do not understand what you mean by this. If one dog starts trying to row with the other one, you don't just let it happen, you step in, there are plenty of signs to watch out for before it breaks out into an actual fight, eyes, ears, tail, etc, will all tell you a dog's frame of mind.

Just feed them in different rooms and close the doors. If it is open plan, sure, use a crate

With the resource guarder, start with an empty bowl and add the food. The toys are yours, not theirs, and you allow the play and participate in it and swap items, etc.

But having said all that, a professional would probably be a good idea as there is a lot of context and information about the dynamic and set-up we are missing.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I can't imagine allowing an older dog to be the one to try to sort out a resource guarding situation. The owner *must* be in charge. Ours are simply not allowed to guard anything, we step in, if they try.

 

[White Horse2]

Many thanks for all your input it's all helpful

 

[AmyMay]

I always feed dogs separately. One in the kitchen, one in the utility room.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I always feed dogs separately. One in the kitchen, one in the utility room.

We don't actually, when Daycare Dog is here for a meal, we have 4 eating together in the kitchen but if we needed to separate them, we would. Ours are trained to sit next to their own dish when they have finished and wait until all the dishes are empty.

 

[Jenko109]

All three of mine are fed separately. Not that they would fight. Just that the collie hoovers up quickly and will then hover about in the hope that she can get access to the other bowls. She is a good doer and does not need any extras.

The whippet often grabs some of his dinner and then leaves his bowl to eat it somewhere else before returning for more. The collie would take full advantage of that

The lurcher is not a big eater and often leaves food. Again, collie would think this was fabulous news.

Your post does sound somewhat concerning. It reads like this dog is setting upon your other dog after they have finished their bowls and you are allowing this to happen?

 

[AmyMay]

Ours are trained to sit next to their own dish when they have finished and wait until all the dishes are empty.

I think that’s absolutely brilliant.

Daisy can be a bit of a bugger around food. So it’s better for us to make sure that she’s separated from any other dogs here.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Very easy fix re food as mentioned, separate rooms and/or supervise. Goose does not like Mitch aka the hoover approaching him while he’s still eating, so we trained him to wait til Goose has finished and gone outside before he is allowed to investigate. Mitch was a bit of a pain with this to start with, easily sorted. We’re always in the kitchen when they eat.

If he’s resource guarding, remove all toys. He only gets to play when you initiate it.

 

[druid]

Easy to teach sit and release by name to bowls. I have feeding "stations" spread over 2 rooms and everyone waits for their own bowl. You are also never, ever allowed look in someone else's bowl even if they have finished/walked away/have leftover food. It's rude and encourages the potential for confrontations.