So, ever since Duggan came home he has been asked to do something before he gets his meals. Usually a sit and stay and usually from different locations varying in proximity to his dish. The last few days when I release him ( ‘okay’ is the cue ) he stands and looks at me and growls. Usually he dives right in gladly. He’s 18 months and has on the very rare occasion resource guarded his food after he’s started eating. He’d get in the stance and if you didn’t notice he’d give a slight growl. After he did this we would hand feed him for a few days or go to his bowl and add more food which was always welcomed. I thought we had solved the problem but now out of the blue from several meters away from the dish as soon as I say okay he looks and growls at me. Very weird. Having said that, last week he ruptured a CCL and goes for surgery tomorrow. Wondering if that plays a part. He doesn’t appear to be in any pain. He still thinks he has 4 good legs actually. He finished his last anti inflammatory this morning. Not sure how to deal with this, where he’s not at the dish and I’m not near him or the dish when I get growled at for saying okay. He won’t approach the bowl till he told to. Once my wife forget to release him and he sat there for 20 mins while she showed and came back into the kitchen only to realize she forgot about him. Other than that he has an extremely soft mouth with ever. And as soon as meal is finished he is everyone’s best friend again. He doesn’t do this with Kings or treats or toys, and it’s just been the last three meals. Same routine every time.
I am sorry I don’t have any advice, but I am sure someone will have some good insights. I just wanted to say, I know this isn’t the main point of your post, but ...blimey, you have one heck of a stay there! 20 mins in front of a full food bowl, with no-one around?? Whatever your training magic dust is, I want some! Also, more seriously I think given his current injury, I wouldn’t be surprised if many unusual behaviours appear, even if you think he isn’t in pain. They can develop all sorts of funny associations, e.g. he might have twinged his leg as you released him to his food once, or as you happened to walk near his bowl, and it’s got a bit of a negative association all of a sudden. It is highly likely things will right themselves as he recovers.
His injury certainly would be playing a part in the food guarding but in any event go back to square 1 with training to rehabilitate the food guarding and don't rush to 'cure it'. With food guarding you should reinforce 'good stuff coming when people approach' on a regular basis to ensure that the behaviour doesn't slip.
Poor boy, just wanted to say good luck for his op tomorrow, it has been really difficult few days for all of you. I really wouldn't be too worried about any food guarding just now, just be aware of it. It does sound like a manifestation of stress/pain over the last few days.
I agree that pain is likely to be involved. I'd try minimising when you're asking him to do before he gets his food. Just make him stand and wait long enough so you can put it down at a distance from him, then step back and immediately release him. Don't ask him to do anything much. I'd be trying to reduce the wait time for him and any frustration associated with waiting, as well as any pain from being asked to lie down or change position as he waits. Have a chat to the vet about a pain management regime for after the op to keep him as comfortable as possible. Hope it all goes really, really well.
Tonight I just put it down next to him and said okay right away and didn’t even look at him and all was well. I haven’t been stressing or challenging him since the injury, quits the opposite. He has been very frustrated because he is a very active dog and I’ve restricted his movements to prevent further injury but we’ve been keeping him busy inside and on a training lead outside. Thanks to all who wished us well tomorrow. The surgeon does three a week and has been performing this procedure for almost 20 years and apparently is a leader in this type of injury.
Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. Duggan did well with the anesthesia and surgery. He’s heavily medicated and apparently still trying to power through it so he can play with his neighbour. I pick him up tomorrow afternoon; then the fun begins.
Glad to hear he is through the op and enjoying his neighbour. Should be fun for the next few days and beyod during hus recovery
