Pit-Bull food aggression problem

What your dog is doing is called "resource guarding", and, while it is considered normal canine behavior, you must begin training him that he cannot guard from humans.  Pig ears (which aren't very healthy or safe, by the way) and marrow bones, etc. are very high value to the dog.  Even dogs who let you take kibble right out of their mouths may object when you try it with their "prize".  Do not continue to "test" your dog's reactions, and do not ever feed your dogs together - always in separate rooms or crates, for safety.  Grab a copy of "Mine! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs" by Jean Donaldson (dogwise.com should have it).  There's a complete protocol for training that you can follow, step by step.  Also, this trait is not any more common in Pit Bulls than in any other breed.  But, it is something you must deal with pronto.  Incidentally, even after training, this may be a dog who should not be allowed to lurk under the dining room table at Thanksgiving dinner, if you know what I mean.  Good luck, and holler if you need help.

thanks for the information.  you tend to hear so much negative information regarding this very misunderstood breed, i am always the type that likes to go against the grain and stay on the side of the "under-dog". (no pun intended..)  Thanks again for the information and this site seems to be a really great resource of information and networking ideas and issues.  best regards.

One more thing -- many dogs will guard their bones, but not toys or food, or guard their food, but not bones, or whatever. Don't assume that because the dog has issues with someone coming near his pig's ear that the same will hold true with food, toys, etc.

My dog has always been a bit snarky about guarding her bones and balls from other animals. She even lays a bone across my bedroom door at night to keep the cats out (the cats aren't allowed to cross the bone, in her mind, at least). However, the cats will drink from her water bowl and put their heads in her dish when she's eating, and there's no problem at all.

She's not bone aggressive with people, so I've never taken the time to fix this (the cats don't seem to care if they get ggrrrd at when they come too near her bones, and she's never hurt them). But now I'm tempted to get this book and see what it says.

Just wanted you to know that it doesn't automatically escalate to food. I'd still deal with the issue -- as alpha, you should be able to take food/bone/toy/whatever out of the dog's mouth at any time without complaint -- and it's never good to have a dog try to be in charge. But don't automatically assume that this means you can't hand feed or take the food away from them or that they'll never be able to hang out under the table during the holidays. My dog has always had the bone thing, but I can be feeding her steak and if the cats shove in, she makes way for them with no problems.

Your dog is also very young, which makes fixing any problem a lot easier.

But if you get the book before I do, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. I'm planning to order it, but going from planning to doing tends to take me forever...though I suppose if my cats hear about it, they may well order it for me! : )


Jan

I would suggest you implement NILIF (Google to get information) it#%92s a good base line for all dogs to follow.  I had a food aggressive dog for a short time but he is big and it was actually scary at times.  We follow the following protocol and it worked wonderfully.  I don#%92t test my dog and still feed him in his crate.  However, I am able to move or take his bowl with no issues.
 
Start with a new bowl one that he hasn#%92t associated as his.  Put it on the floor and drop a handful of kibble in it – walk away, don#%92t speak, touch or do anything other than drop that bit of food in the bowl.  When he is done he will come to you looking for more.  Without acknowledgement walk to the bowl, pick it up, move it to another area on the floor.  Have your dog sit and drop another small handful of kibble.  Again walk away, no words touches or acknowledgement.  When he comes to you again looking for food, repeat moving his bowl and dropping in his morsels until dinner is done.   As he progresses (after a week or so) start to give him bigger handful and as he is eating try to approach the bowl to drop an extra special treat in the bowl while he is eating.  Hotdog, cheese or dog biscuits are good.   I would try and call him off the bowl and into to sit before I dropped it in but, he isn#%92t ready for that just drop it in – providing his has stopped growling at you while you approach.  Your goal is getting him to recognize that you are the giver of his food and not the taker.    Being a Pit has nothing to do with this behavior and again I would recommend just as a good rule for training, NILIF with the protocol above.  PS:  As he progresses don#%92t test him or try putting your hand in the bowl or anything like that but..  As you drop the food and he approaches to the bowl to eat if he will allow you to touch him or pet him briefly you can.