I have a four month old Lhasa Apso. She is gorgeous, sweet, and of course spoiled. But she nips and growls if we touch her food. I started feeding her by hand, and she does well with that, but if I put my hands in her bowl, she growls.
Take all her food away and make her sit before she eats and eat the food out of your hand. Then gradually start using your hand to put small amounts of the food in her dish. Show her that you are the pack leader and that nothing in life is free, that all good things come from you, and that she has to earn them. Spoiling a dog is one of the worst things you can do because it can make the dog neurotic and that can lead to all kinds of problems. Use boundaries and limits and discipline and training right from the start. The dog should NEVER growl at you at any time for any reason!
Show her that you are the alpha not her. This way if a child tried to touch her food you wouldn't have to be worried that they would get bit. Our Dad made us constantly take food away from a new dog until it stopped growling.
If I were you, I would not feed her from your hand at all. Of course, that's my opinion. Only give her food as a reward after she obeys you. Little amounts at a time. No dog should growl when you're trying to give them nourishment. Like Janet said, you should never spoil your pet. Ever. It gives them a sense of entitlement. Please speak to your vet. See, what they say. I'm not an authority of course.
I use to train dogs and this method will take two people. First get a choker collar you can get about anyplace that sells dog supplies. Put it and a leash on her. Have person one holding the leash very loosely while person 2 does the next step.
Person 2 will need a long item a broom stick will even work. However, if you can get one of those long arm reaches (like these) they will work best. Reach into the bowl if the dog starts to growl person 1 yanks the leash back and yells no! When he stops then you put the food back and repeat this task. May take several times and several days but it will then eventually stop.
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Comments: 9
Only give her food as a reward after she obeys you. Little amounts at a time.
No dog should growl when you're trying to give them nourishment.
Like Janet said, you should never spoil your pet. Ever.
It gives them a sense of entitlement.
Please speak to your vet. See, what they say.
I'm not an authority of course.
two lay down the law
three she is a dog not family so hopefully dont feed her people food
Person 2 will need a long item a broom stick will even work. However, if you can get one of those long arm reaches (like these) they will work best. Reach into the bowl if the dog starts to growl person 1 yanks the leash back and yells no! When he stops then you put the food back and repeat this task. May take several times and several days but it will then eventually stop.
Wow....great advice above. I hope it works for you Carol!