I think some animals are more feral than others,
more aware of feast and famine possibilities,
worried about their next meal, what might happen
if the Big Dog isn't around to feed them. I had
one Chihuahua (the one I recently lost and loved
the most of any dog I ever had) who was more feral
than other dogs and who hid and "buried" food just
in case ....
The saddest part is that a Mini Pin one year older
than the Chi knew he could rely on the Chi not
eating everything right away, knew he could depend
on the Chi burrowing in a bed and hiding the
treasure, and waited and stole it the minute he
had a chance. It used to bring tears to my eyes.
One so totally capable of trying to care for
himself and the other so domesticated he stole
from a roommate.
Both are gone now.
I never have taken food from a dog once given to
it. I have taken food NOT given to a dog from it.
There is a difference and dogs seem to sense a
command to drop unknown food. But if there is
ever any setup that is going to bring out a snap
or a bite, I think it will relate to food. I
don't understand handling food once given to a
dog. I can still remember parental warnings (a
hundred years ago) to me (and siblings) -- don't
go near the dog when he is eating! I told it to
my son. He tells it to his sons. Doesn't matter
the size of the dog. A dog will protect his food
and if he didn't I would think something is wrong.
Elaine
> Hi Group, Pixil, my little 16 month old female
> Chihuahua has a bit of an issue. A few months
> back, after given a treat, she would crouch her
> back and lower her head and look at us as if to
> say, "Don't come near me". So, I thought that
> behavior was not good, so I called her to come
> to me with the treat, and she would not. So, I
> went to her and spoke calmly to her as I was
> going to take the treat from her. She growled at
> me! That was enough out of her so I grabbed the
> treat from her and she snapped at me, but I
> successfully got the treat away from her.
> Anyway, this behavior has repeated itself a few
> times since then. Now, when I give her a treat
> and she hunches over and gets that "Panther"
> type look, I have demanded that she return the
> treat to me. She now drops the treat and comes
> and sits on my lap, but will not touch the
> treat, even when I try to give it to her. So, I
> sat down on the couch with her in my lap and
> placed the treat on a blanket on the couch for
> her to eat, she did not move, and she growled at
> me while in my lap!!! Then, my husband came to
> see what was up and she growled at him, no
> snapping or anything, just a little soft
> "growling". I cannot figure what is up with
> that behavior? <snip>
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