Food aggressive dog

[LilDudeFrmAcrossTheStreet]

Can't and won't give you any advice what to do, all I can say is what I would do in your situation. The fact that a dog might be a threat, as negligible a threat as it may be, to a child would warrant me to find another caring home for the dog.
I've seen a dog attack on a child, a mild mannered dog, and it happens so fast and so viciously it would make your head spin. Any child deserves to be brought up in a home where threats are mitigated or altogether removed.

Just my personal opinion.

I agree with you 10000%. My dad got a dog from a friend of his. It was a black female German Shepherd puppy we named Coco. We had a smaller dog, Lulu, that was some mixed breed - I swear she looked like half chihuahua, half labrador - don't ask me how that's possible 🙃 Anyways, Coco seemed to have some personality disorders and she would randomly growl at Lulu. They grew up together, but Lulu stayed the same size, being a smaller breed. One day my dad calls me to let us know that Coco killed Lulu. This happened out of nowhere. We were blessed enough to find a family that really wanted her (fully vetted). My parents are traumatized and decided against getting dogs again. Coco is apparently thriving in her new environment, being the only dog.

 

[UhhShayy]

So we adopted a mixed breed puppy 2 years ago, she was 3 months old when we got her. She is a border collie x german sheppard cross. She is the most beautiful dog. She is well mannered, friendly, lovable and funny, we love her to bits. Unfortunately she started being aggressive whenever it came to feeding time. Something we never picked up on early on as she always ate outside and we walked away after putting the food down. It became worse to the point where she attached me twice, and I do mean full on attack, not just a defensive bite.

We took her to trainers who tried to see if she would get aggressive with them but she didn't, they also tried giving her treats and food and she did nothing, she didn't want to take anything from anyone, not even me. They said there is nothing wrong with the dog, she is not aggressive, if she had food aggression she would get aggressive with any food. She doesn't. If we give her treats and biscuits she is fine. Only with actual food (pellets). We then took a video showing how aggressive she gets and they said it is a mix of excitement and confusion which then leads to aggression. They came and did a home visit and she tried to get aggressive with them and they "sorted her out". They pulled her up on the leash to disable her and once she got calm they gently released her and she was fine after that. I took the leash and walked her around the back yard and she was fine, although she still did not want to eat. They said it was fine, if she doesn't want to eat then she doesn't get food. If she is hungry enough she will eat. So that night I fed her the first time on my own whilst on the leash (after taking her for a walk) and all was fine. That was December last year, since then I have walked her every morning and evening before feeding her and she was fine, no issues. Then last week she got sick, upset stomach. I took her for a walk but when it got to feeding she just sniffed the food once, twice and then attacked. I could disable her with the leash like they showed me. She ate fine again on Thursday. This morning again she did not want to eat and attacked. Luckily again I could control her on the leash. Waited for her to calm down and then I settle her down, tell her "lets walk"and then we walk around the back garden without issues. Stop, tell her to sit and then give her half a biscuit and then we walk again. Did that for about 10min untill I eventually sit her down again, give her half a biscuit and then take the leash off. Walk away and close the gate so she stays outside.

I love the dog and don't want to get rid of her, but I don't know what to do. It is a dangerous situation and what happens if she attacks other people, or worse kids. We will be looking to start a family towards the end of the year, or early next year and it is worrying that I have this potentially dangerous dog. We have had friends over with young children, 3/4 years old and she plays with them so gently it is unbelievable. I really do not know what to do anymore. It is heart breaking to think I might have to get rid of her, or even worse, put her to sleep.

Apologies for the essay. Has anyone here had similar experience? Any advice?

My money is on that there is a underlying medical issue.

Good luck and hope all gets sorted shortly and swiftly 🙏

 

[TheFlash]

Eish. All i can say is, get to a vet, ask them if there is such a food or other possible way to get your dog to calm down before dinner. Ive seen videos about the SPCA, when they evaluate a dog before it goes to a new home. They feed it, and use a stick with a hand stuck at the end to see what will happen if they put the stick in the bowl while the dog eats. Maybe contact them as well. A dog is a pack animal, they need to know who the boss is from the very start. Same as not giving your child a bit of a (how can i put this, aaagh, a klap) they will just walk all over you in time. Might be a bit to late for this now though. Anyway, I have a skurminkeltjie, we picked up off the street 6 years ago. She doesnt like, or will not entertain or tolerate people she doesnt know. Whoever, she will allow me as well as my son to stick our fingers in her food bowl, take it away from her without any issues. I will include my wife, but she is to scared to do that. Next time you get a dog, lay down the rules.