Treats aggression

[Beth Pladson]

Even though my two labs get along great and go everywhere together, I've spotted a bit of a tough area. I put them each on their beds and give them stuffed kongs. El (14 mos) gulps hers down like it's the last one she'll ever have, and Roddy (5 mos) takes a bit longer. This same scenario happens with their rawhide as well, even though Roddy's is smaller than El's. Anyway, since she finishes hers first, she'll go over and try to get Roddy's. He, naturally, isn't too thrilled with that and will growl and bark aggressively at her. He has no other aggressive behavior other than that that I have noticed. Should I separate them (i.e. put in different rooms) when I give them treats like that? or make sure they stay on their respective beds until the other is finished? Should I be worried about future behavior?

Thanks in advance for the input!

[Lesly Stevens]

Awww, Roddy isn't being aggressive, he's just telling El to back off and knock off the rude behavior!

It wouldn't hurt to separate them. When I first brought Bo home, my two displayed a little grumbling, so, without any emotional reaction from me, I calmly told them, "wrong," and took those bones away from both of them. I kept them separated for awhile. They lay side-by-side now without any problems.

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo

Even though my two labs get along great and go everywhere together, I've spotted a bit of a tough area. I put them each on their beds and give them stuffed kongs. El (14 mos) gulps hers down like it's the last one she'll ever have, and Roddy (5 mos) takes a bit longer. This same scenario happens with their rawhide as well, even though Roddy's is smaller than El's. Anyway, since she finishes hers first, she'll go over and try to get Roddy's. He, naturally, isn't too thrilled with that and will growl and bark aggressively at her. He has no other aggressive behavior other than that that I have noticed. Should I separate them (i.e. put in different rooms) when I give them treats like that? or make sure they stay on their respective beds until the other is finished? Should I be worried about future behavior?

Thanks in advance for the input!

[Jill Ramsey]

I have a similar problem, only Fischer (5 months) takes everything away from Finnegan (21 months). So far, Finn hasn't uttered a sound when Fisher does it. He's taken toys, nylabones, whatever Finn has, he wants. I try to keep it from happening, and take the whatever from Fischer and give it back to Finn, telling Fischer to "knock if off, it belongs to Finnegan". "Knock it off "is our equivilent of NO, or something that is not acceptable.
I'm just afraid that one of these days, it's going to be something of high value for Finn, and he'll go after Fischer. They are in their separate kennels when they get their kongs. We also have to watch Fischer at meal time. He will gobble his up, and then go over by Finnegan. He won't go near Finnegan's bowl until Finn is done and leaves, but that may be because I'm there and won't let him. They are on opposite sides of the room.

[Krysta Smith]

I'm going through kind of the same thing with Lola (10 months) and my mom's puppy, Jazzy (3 months). Jazzy is always taking things away Lola. Lola only cares when it's food (other than nylabones). She'll growl if Jazzy gets too close or she'll give ma a look that says "Keep that puppy away from me". I try to keep Lola away if I give her a treat and put her food bowl on an ottoman in the livingroom, Jazzy's not big enough to jump up yet. I want them to be able to eat in the same room eventually but right now I don't think Jazzy takes Lola's warnings seriously.

[Beth Pladson]

I have a similar problem, only Fischer (5 months) takes everything away from Finnegan (21 months). So far, Finn hasn't uttered a sound when Fisher does it. He's taken toys, nylabones, whatever Finn has, he wants. I try to keep it from happening, and take the whatever from Fischer and give it back to Finn, telling Fischer to "knock if off, it belongs to Finnegan". "Knock it off "is our equivilent of NO, or something that is not acceptable.
I'm just afraid that one of these days, it's going to be something of high value for Finn, and he'll go after Fischer. They are in their separate kennels when they get their kongs. We also have to watch Fischer at meal time. He will gobble his up, and then go over by Finnegan. He won't go near Finnegan's bowl until Finn is done and leaves, but that may be because I'm there and won't let him. They are on opposite sides of the room.


When it comes to toys, Roddy's the same way, losing interest in whatever toy he has to go after hers, but when that toy is given back to him and a new one given to El, suddenly he wants that one!.. and the cycle repeats itself. And like Finn, El is very tolerant of the pup and doesn't protest, merely looks forlorn at the loss of her toy.

I'm glad to know other people are having similar experiences and I'm not alone in my refereeing of the two kids!