BAD BEHAVIOR

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Again, I would suggest first seeking the care and consultation of a veterinarian to make sure the dog isn't experiencing pain or having difficulty eating. Tooth abscesses, fractures, or oral infections may cause aggression associated with eating. Even eye and ear problems may initiate an angry response around feeding time. Many gastrointestinal problems, such as parasites, food intolerance, or maldigestion may also cause displaced aggression. Your veterinarian is able to examine your pet for these things, and could do so via a simple physical exam.

If the patient is an intact male, castration may make the dog less aggressive, but I think that this is more helpful in younger animals. It may also be detrimental to stress the pet with surgery and hospitalization at a time in his life when he is already confused by the arrival of a new baby.

Because dogs with this syndrome have the potential to severely injure people, the decision to attempt treatment must be made carefully. It may be beneficial for you to separate the child from the dog entirely, which could cause further separation anxiety, but may be necessary for the safety of the baby. It's one thing to modify the behavior of a 5-pound poodle who hoards clothing, but a different situation completely to deal with a 100-pound shepherd who may become unmanageably aggressive.

Let's examine your behavior around feeding time. Do you place the food down fearfully and fast? Does the dog take command of the situation by barking for the meal or begging and is then rewarded by being fed? Try placing the food down first and then allowing the dog to enter the room, so he associates few acts of yours with the actual feeding; hence, he will have less to focus his aggression on.

Some veterinary behavior specialists have advocated teaching the dog to assume a "down position" to reduce its dominance and aggressive tendencies. Since any physical manipulation of an aggressive animal may accentuate its aggressive tendencies, the dog is taught to eat from a submissive position (laying on its chest, elbows, and hocks) by progressive, yet positive, reinforcement. With the dog sitting, the food is held so that the dog must lower its head slightly to obtain the reward. The owner should say "down" and give the food reward when the dog lowers its head. Over time, the owner requires the dog to lower itself more and more in order to receive its food. Eventually the dog must lie down to receive the food. In such a position, few dogs will feel inclined to become dominant. The dog should also be required to exhibit this acceptable, submissive behavior before being fed, let out, or petted: This will encourage future submissive behavior and eventually stop the animal from growling near its food.

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